Improving Shelter Animal Care. San Juan, Puerto Rico December 7, 2008

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Doreen Gibson
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2 Improving Shelter Animal Care San Juan, Puerto Rico December 7, 2008

3 Shelters on the Mainland Last 50 years Rabies control, dogcatcher, the pound Inconvenient, unpleasant location, i.e. garbage dump Inhumane conditions and practices No reclaim or adoption programs High euthanasia rates

4 Shelters on the Mainland Heightened local and national awareness Citizen complaints, media coverage National animal welfare groups: HSUS, ASPCA, AHA, PETA, WSPA Implementation of public education and shelter programs Elevation of shelter standards

5 Shelters on the Mainland Today s Practices Professional staff - education, training, conferences Public outreach - ordinances, humane education, S/N Community Centers - adoption, foster, volunteer, training

6 Trends Shelters on the Mainland From adoption police to counseling process Behavioral evaluations and matchmaking Medical and S/N programs Coalitions, placement partners, transfers

7 Shelters and Rescue Organizations Can do great things for animals, but must: Show mutual respect Forget the past Agree on clear, reasonable expectations Understand biases and limitations Create written guidelines and agreements Work together and communicate!

8 A Good Animal Shelter Should have: The functional capabilities of a good university and the user friendly appeal of a hotel Should be: Physically attractive, clean and well-maintained Must be: Operated with the comfort of the animals, public and staff in mind

9 A Good Animal Shelter Hours of Operation: Must be convenient for the public Staff : Should be knowledgeable, compassionate, courteous and professional towards the animals, the public and each other at all times

10 A Good Animal Shelter Why are Positive Impressions About the Shelter Important? People will want to come to the shelter People will tell other about their experience More animals will get adopted Most lost animals will be returned home People will be more likely to support the shelter Credibility with local vets and government officials A more humane community

11 Good Operations (All Procedures in Writing!!) Incoming Identification and Records Little Picture Numbering systems, physical ID Intake form, cage card, photo Big Picture Statistics on intake and disposition Community profile and trends

12 Good Operations Cage Card

13 Good Operations Start Tracking Your Statistics Number of animals handled every year # Adopted # Euthanized # Returned to owner # Spayed/neutered Other information to track Licensing # and types of telephone calls # After-hours/emergency calls # Shelter visitors, zip codes

14 Incoming Exams Good Operations Scan for a microchip General physical examination eyeball will suffice A general temperament assessment (not a full evaluation) Temperature and vital signs measurement Routine vaccination protocols (unless proof of vaccinations) Check and treatment for internal and external parasites (fecal) Address basic grooming needs/concerns A picture for identification purposes and the Web site Physical ID (collar)

15 Good Operations Vaccinations Core vaccines for dogs Distemper-Adenovirus-Parvovirus-Parainfluenza (DA2PP or DHPP) A single injection given under the skin. Puppies should be vaccinated at 4-6 weeks of age and revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until weeks of age. Adult dogs should be vaccinated once at intake. If possible, a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later may be beneficial if poor health prevented an optimal response to the vaccine given on intake. Bordetella bronchiseptica Intranasal vaccination is recommended due to the demonstrated rapid onset of immunity. Additionally, this vaccine can be used in puppies as young as 2-3 weeks of age and may provide local immunity in the face of maternal antibody.

16 Good Operations Vaccinations Core vaccines for cats Feline viral rhinotracheitis-calicivirus-panleukopenia (FVRCP). A single vaccine given under the skin. Modified live vaccination is generally recommended because of demonstrated rapid onset of protection and good efficacy in the face of maternal antibody. Kittens should be vaccinated starting at 4-6 weeks of age and revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until 18 weeks of age. Adult cats should be vaccinated once at intake. If resources permit, a second vaccination 2-4 weeks later may be beneficial if poor health prevented an optimal response to the vaccine given on intake

17 Good Operations Rabies Vaccinations Rabies vaccination may be given at the time of adoption or by the adopter s new veterinarian, depending on local legal requirements, shelter philosophy and resources. Shelters which house animals long term may consider vaccinating for rabies at intake

18 Parasites Good Operations A minimum parasite control protocol should consist of preventative treatment at intake. This should be effective against roundworms and hookworms, and fleas (+ ticks for dogs). Most commonly used are an oral dewormer containing pyrantel pamoate (Nemex and Strongid ), and topical products such as imidacloprid (Advantage) and/or fipronil (Frontline). In addition to deworming on intake, puppies and kittens should also be dewormed every 2-3 weeks between the ages of 2 week and 3-4 months of age. Re-treatment is very important! All pregnant and nursing dogs and cats should also be dewormed every 2 weeks while housed in the shelter or foster care. For all other adult dogs and cats, a second dose is recommended 2-3 weeks after intake, if still in the shelter.

19 Animal Flow Good Operations 4 housing areas for cats and dogs Isolation - sick Quarantine - bite cases, injured, aggressive Healthy Hold - healthy animals not yet available Adoptions - healthy animals ready for adoption Other animals?

20 Housing Good Operations No crowding or stacking No gang pens (fighting, food guarding) No mixing: species, sex, age, injured, nursing Aggressive animals HVAC, temperature, noise Guillotine doors In good repair

21 Good Operations Space Requirements Stainless steel or custom-made individual cages for indoor holding should follow these minimum size guidelines: Large dogs (more than 50 pounds): at least 4 by 6 feet, or 24 square feet Medium-sized dogs (36-50 pounds): at least 4 by 5 feet, or 20 square feet Small dogs (10-35 pounds): at least 3 by 4 feet, or 12 square feet. Kennels with runs, whether fully enclosed or indoor/outdoor, should follow these minimum size guidelines: Kennels: 4 by 6 feet Runs: 4 by 8 feet

22 Good Operations Dogs confined in cages or kennels should have room to move about normally. Dogs confined in cages should be exercised in runs at least 4 by 10 feet twice daily or walked on a leash for at least 20 minutes twice daily. Animals who share kennels must be evaluated for compatibility and monitored closely. Each should have ample room to stand, lie down, turn around, and sit normally. This requires a minimum area of 4 by 4 feet for each dog. A shared 5 by 10 foot kennel should hold no more than two large, two medium, or three small dogs.

23 Gang Pens

24 Single Run Housing Shelter in Nepal (Katmandu Animal Treatment Center)

25 Guillotine Door Housing 2 Dogs per Run

26 Dog Areas Must have proper shade and shelter!

27 Cat Cages

28 Cat Cages

29 Cat Cages

30 What are your cages and supplies made of and what is in them? Wood Cracked floors Gravel runs Chain link Toys Blankets & towels Bowls plastic or metal?

31 Good Operations Animal Handling Proper Restraint: The best restraint is the least restraint

32 Good Operations Animal Handling Training required!! Awareness of animal behavior Safety and humaneness Equipment Bite gloves, muzzles, towels Nets, shields Squeeze/transfer cages Graspers Catch poles (not on cats!)

33 Equipment

34 Dog Behavior

35 Dog Behavior

36 Dog Behavior

37 Dog Behavior

38 Dog Behavior

39 Dog Behavior

Cat Behavior Social or relaxed cat Welcoming soft meow Purring Ears up or relaxed Eyes open and dilated Body relaxed, curled or lateral sprawl Mouth closed, relaxed When approached, the cat is

40 Cat Behavior Social or relaxed cat Welcoming soft meow Purring Ears up or relaxed Eyes open and dilated Body relaxed, curled or lateral sprawl Mouth closed, relaxed When approached, the cat is relaxed, stands, body rubs or arches back Stressed and/or Feral cat Quiet or nervous, constant crying Growling, hissing Ears up, pointed sideways or flat Eyes wide open, dilated, fixed on every move or darting around to look for an escape Body flat, frozen crouch on all fours or running trying to escape Mouth drooling, panting or hissing Backs up, flattens body on floor, hisses, or strikes when approached

41 Cat Behavior

42 Cat Behavior Pinellas SPCA photo credit

43 Pinellas SPCA photo credit Cat Behavior

44 Good Operations Cleaning and Disinfection Cleaning: To rid dirt or other impurities Disinfecting: To destroy or eliminate infection by reducing the number of pathogens present Soap/detergent: Cleaning agent which works by suspending dirt and grease. Does not kill harmful microorganisms. Disinfectant: Chemical agent which kills harmful microorganisms. Does not necessarily remove dirt or grease. Degreaser: More powerful soap/detergent specially formulated to penetrate layers of dried on body oils and other greasy debris.

45 Good Operations Cleaning and Disinfection No one product meets all criteria Quaternary ammoniums Roccal, Parvo-sol, Triple-two, Kennelsol Potassium peroxymonosulfate Trifectant, Virkon Bleach

46 Good Operations Cleaning and Disinfection Procedure Remove or shift animals (Guillotine method) Remove items and debris (do not hose!) Disinfect items too! Rinse, apply disinfectant, scrub all areas, let sit 10 min, rinse thoroughly! Dry thoroughly! Replace items and animals Clean holding or shift cage

47 Good Operations Cat Cage Cleaning Specifics Cat Stress Handling and fomites Spot cleaning Toxicity of phenols (Lysol) In any cleaning procedure for dogs or cats, always wear protective gear, use footbaths, and wash hands!

48 Feeding Protocols Good Operations Species and age appropriate Special needs Watch for aggression, guarding, inappetance

49 Feeding Protocols Amounts and Frequency Puppies Less than 12 weeks of age: fed 4 times daily or every 6 hours 12 weeks to 6 months of age: fed 3 times daily or every 8 hours Dogs: 6 months to 12 months of age: fed twice daily Kittens Less than 12 weeks of age: fed canned food 4 times daily or every 6 hours 12 weeks to 6 months of age fed canned food 3 times daily or every 8 hours with access to dry food at all times Cats 6 months or older: fed dry food available at all times and fed canned food as needed Since most cats like to eat many small meals a day, it is advisable to leave dry food available all day. Remember that cats with access to free food must be monitored to make sure they are eating.

50 Good Operations Basic Animal Care Bedding Toys Exercise Grooming: Nails, ears, clip mats, bathe, parasites

51 Sterilization Good Operations Ideally, all animals S/N prior to adoption Early-age S/N In-demand animal S/N Voucher programs Low-cost, accessible Other incentives

52 Good Adoption Programs What Do Adopters Want? A healthy animal An animal who is friendly and safe An animal who is trained or easy to manage An animal who will fit into their household and match their lifestyle An attractive animal

53 Good Adoption Programs What Keeps Adopters Away From Shelters? Bad reputation Competition Too depressing Too much paperwork Impulse buying elsewhere Second rate or unhealthy animals Unfamiliarity Apathy or ignorance of overpopulation

54 Good Adoption Programs Providing a Good Experience How to make it work! Disease prevention Clean and attractive Quality animals available for adoption Comfortable for people AND animals Convenient hours Humane, courteous, knowledgeable staff

55 Good Adoption Programs Develop Good Policies and Procedures We have an obligation to the animals We have an obligation to the community Staff morale Must commit to this and it costs money! Put it in writing Can be done by large and small agencies

57 Thank you! Contact information: Kimberley Intino, CAWA Director, Animal Sheltering Issues The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L Street Washington, DC kintino@humanesociety.org

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