500.34 salmonella program sale of turtles

1. Number: 500.34
SUBJECT: SALMONELLA PROGRAM – SALE OF TURTLES Page: 1
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 6/27/13
I. PURPOSE
To establish a procedure to detect and eliminate the source and extent of cases of Salmonella
occurring within Orange County.
II. POLICY
OC Animal Care takes very seriously the duty and obligation to protect the health and safety of
inhabitants of Orange County. Therefore, reports of zoonotic diseases shall be investigated and
preventive measures taken to reduce the possibility of further exposure.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to Field Operations staff or designee.
IV. FORMS
Animal and Facility Inspection Notice
Quarantine Notice
V. REFERENCES
California Code of Regulations, Title 17, 2612.1- Turtle Salmonellosis
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Field Operations staff or designee shall conduct inspections of pet shops and other
facilities engaged in the sale of turtles to the public, as required by the County Health
Officer. The purpose of these inspections is to ensure compliance with Federal and State
laws regulating the sale of turtles. California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 17,
Section 2612.1, imposes certain restrictions on the importation and sale of turtles. The
law also provides that certain records shall be maintained by the seller and that a

2. Number: 500.34
SUBJECT: SALMONELLA PROGRAM – SALE OF TURTLES Page: 2
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 6/27/13
specific sign be posted by which all members of the public entering the shop are made
aware of a potential health hazard.
B. The following warning sign must be publicly posted: "Turtles may transmit bacteria
causing disease in humans. It is important to wash the hands thoroughly after handling
turtles or material that had contact with turtles. Do not allow water or any other
substance that had contact with turtles to come in contact with food or areas where food
is prepared. Make sure that these precautions are followed by children and others
handling turtles."
C. For each sale of a turtle(s), the seller shall give a sales slip to the buyer (duplicate to be
maintained by the seller) which will have the warning statement indicated above,
legibly printed on the front.
1. The sales slip will also include the date of sale, and the name, address, and
telephone number of the buyer.
2. Seller will maintain a copy of sales slip for not less than one year from date of
sale.
3. The seller is also required to keep a record of all purchases, losses, and other
dispositions of turtles.
D. Sellers will be advised that:
1. OC Animal Care will not test turtles for Salmonella. However, OC Animal Care
may quarantine present or future stocks of turtles, collect samples, and order
destruction of turtles if necessary to carry out the provisions of CCR Section
2612.1, paragraph (c).
E. Field Operations staff or designee shall utilize the Animal Facility Inspection Notice
during the course of his/her inspection.
F. In the event that quarantine is necessary, a Quarantine Notice shall be issued as directed
by an OC Animal Care veterinarian.
Note: Effective November 06, 1977, in keeping with Federal Regulations adopted on
June 27, 1975, the sale of turtles with a carapace length of four inches or less is
prohibited. CCR, Title 17, Section 2612.1, sub-sections (a) through (e), of the California

3. Number: 500.34
SUBJECT: SALMONELLA PROGRAM – SALE OF TURTLES Page: 3
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Ryan Drabek, Director Revised: 6/27/13
Code of Regulations has been subsequently amended to reflect the changes mandated
by the revision of the federal regulations. The reason for not restricting the sale of
turtles with a carapace length of over four inches is that this size of turtle is not
normally or commonly purchased as pets by young children, therefore, they are exempt.
However, the amended regulations will continue to require that the requirements set
forth by California Code of Regulations, Section. 2612.1, with the exception that
certification is no longer required, as outlined by this procedure, be applicable, for the
sale of turtles whose carapace length is four inches or greater. To summarize the sale of
turtles with a carapace length of four inches or greater, the proprietor must still comply
with the following requirements:
1. Warning sign must be posted.
2. Sales slip must be completed in duplicate with warning notice affixed.
3. Certification is no longer required.