Petting Zoos

(1) Cattle, goats, and cervids six (6) months of age or older must test negative for brucellosis and tuberculosis within ninety (90) days following the initial establishment of a petting zoo. These animals must have a negative test for brucellosis and tuberculosis before allowing initial contact with the public. Castrated males are exempt from the brucellosis test requirement. (2) Swine four months of age or older must test negative for brucellosis and pseudorabies after thirty (30) days following the initial establishment of a petting zoo. These animals must have a negative test for brucellosis and pseudorabies before allowing initial contact with the public. Castrated males are exempt from the brucellosis test requirement. (3) Equine from a petting zoo that are located on or moved to premises where equine of different ownership are present must have a record of an official negative test for equine infectious anemia within the previous 12 months. The original laboratory test record or a legible copy will be acceptable. (4) Elephants and monkeys must test negative to a United States Department of Agriculture recommended tuberculosis test annually. (5) Any of the above species of animals added to a petting zoo after the initial establishment of the petting zoo will be required to be isolated and tested for the species appropriate diseases as outlined above. (6) Annual testing for the diseases listed in this section is recommended for petting zoos. Authority: O.C.G.A. Secs. 4-4-1 et seq. , 4-4-64 , 4-4-65 , 4-4-70 , 4-4-173 , 4-10-7.1 , 4-10-7.2 . History. Original Rule entitled "Prohibited Birds" adopted. F. Oct. 3, 1985; eff. Oct. 23, 1985. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Exotic Birds" adopted. F. Jan. 24, 1991; eff. Feb. 13, 1991. Amended: F. June 11, 1992; eff. July 1, 1992. Repealed: New Rule entitled "Petting Zoos" adopted. F. Jan. 17, 2003; eff. Feb. 6, 2003.