Animal Care Assistant- Dogs Animal Care Volunteer Training Manual

Animal Care Assistant- Dogs Animal Care Volunteer Training Manual Thank you for choosing to be an Animal Care department volunteer! This manual will help you understand the basics of volunteering with dogs in the Animal Care department. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any Animal Care staff or veteran volunteer. Please do not attempt any of these processes or techniques until you have been trained by a Dumb Friends League staff member. Attendance and Vacations If you are unable to make it in for your shift, please contact the Volunteer Services department at 720-241-7160 or e-mail volunteer@ddfl.org. This way we know that you will be out and we may be able to find another volunteer to fill your shift. If you would like to change your position or the time and/or day you come in, please contact Jasmin Rice at 720-241-7146. Getting Started Please wear your volunteer nametag and t-shirt for all shifts. Individual hand sanitizers are in a bin on the table at the lockers. Please return the sanitizer when your shift ends. Refills are available in the Animal Care supervisor/manager s office Clock in at the time clock for every shift. Please check in at the Animal Care Supervisor s office. Once you clock in, continue down this hall way, at the end of the hall take a left and go through the door. The animal care supervisor s office will be on the left. Across from the supervisors office is a white board. The white board has information about Animal Care staff members working in specific areas. Information for volunteers, including new procedures, will be posted on the bulletin board. Kennel Mods Kennel mod refers to a modular, or group, of kennels. Each of the kennel mods has a number, 1 12. Each kennel within a mod is identified by a letter, A F. Starting closest to the Food Prep room, mod 1 has kennels 1A 1F. Most dogs available for adoption are in mods 1 through 5. Dogs that are in mods 6 through 12 are usually not yet available. When first starting in the kennel area, stick to mods 1 5 until you are experienced in reading dogs body posture. Kennels G and H are located behind the mods. They are numbered 1 12 and are referred to as the puppy kennels. G and H kennels usually contain unavailable dogs. When cleaning a kennel, put the dog in the area just outside the kennel door, called the back-up gates. Only put dogs together that were kenneled together.

Equipment IN THE FOOD PREP ROOM Gloves (both latex and non-latex) Fecalizers, hand wipes, paper towels, and trash bags Signs Ear Plugs Treats

IN THE KENNEL AREA Accel and proportionators. Gloves are located at each mod and trash bags at every other mod. Doodlebugs and squeegees are located at the ends of most of the mods. New doodlebug pads are located in the mod 8 closet. More signs are located in the bins on the walls at mod 8 and mod 12. Signs are also located the dog kitchen. Boots are located in the dishwasher room. Nylon leashes are located in the food prep room and throughout the kennel area. Safety Accel is used to sterilize all kennels and the floor. TET Glass Cleaner is used on windows and doors. Walking Hazards The walkways are narrow; be careful of hoses, doodlebugs, and squeegees that are in use. Always coil the hose neatly after use. Hang the doodlebugs and squeegees so they don t protrude into the walkway. Always use proper leash techniques. Wet surfaces and floor drains can also pose hazards. Concrete and Metal Surfaces The heavy kennel gates can pinch fingers (or doggy toes). It s easy to get clothing loops or leashes caught on the kennel bolts. The G and H kennels are small and the doorways are very low. Be careful not to bump your head when working in this area. Animals Some of the dogs (mostly in G/H kennels and mods 6 12) have not yet been evaluated. Even a dog that has been okayed for adoption may behave differently in the kennel than it did with the evaluator. Dogs that are fearful or highly aroused may be unpredictable. If a dog makes you uncomfortable, don t go in the kennel. Let a staff member know. Slips, Trips, Falls, and Dog Bites If one of these occurs, notify the Animal Care supervisor on duty immediately. Fill out an incident report. For dog bites, please visit your doctor. Taking the Dog out of the Kennel Talk to the dog calmly and softly. Shelter dogs do not know or trust you, regardless of how friendly they seem. Actions such as bending over them to put on a leash, or even just reaching out to pet them on top of the head, may be perceived as threatening to dogs, regardless of your intention. Don t rush. The calmer and quieter you are, the calmer the dog will be. If the dog is standing at the gate, you may be able to open the gate and slip the loop of your leash gently over the dog s head and lead the dog to a cutoff. If the dog is rambunctious, you may need to enter the kennel to leash the dog. If it is difficult to get into the kennel, you may be able to distract the dog away from the gate by tossing a treat as far into the kennel as possible (against the glass is best, so that it makes a noise). Slip inside, close the gate behind you, and walk all the way into the kennel. Have your leash ready. No matter what kennel area you are working in, always be alert for any signs on the kennel that indicate that a dog may be dangerous or may have been exposed to a contagion. If you ever feel uncomfortable with the behavior of a dog, don t go in the kennel. You can ask a staff member. Two Dogs in a Kennel It can be especially challenging to get into a kennel with two dogs and get out with one of them. If the dogs are in kennels A, B, E, or F, you can use the cut-off gate.

Once you are in the kennel and have leashed one of the dogs, you may toss a treat for the kennel mate. Open the gate and let your leashed dog go through the gate s gap ahead of you. Slide out of the kennel and close the door quickly behind you. Loose Dog The kennel area is enclosed, but if a dog escapes your control, shout LOOSE DOG to alert anyone who might be opening a gate or walking a dog. Do not attempt to catch a dog that is running. Never grab a dog by its collar. Follow the dog, but do not chase it. Always use your slip leash. Dog Fight If a dog fight occurs in a kennel, do not enter the kennel. Never attempt to break up a fight by putting yourself between the dogs. Yell, bang on, or kick the kennel gate. Make lots of noise to try and startle the dogs. If that does not work, spray the dogs with a water hose and call for help. Report any dog fight immediately. Kennel Cleaning at Dumb Friends League Every kennel and cage at the League is cleaned every day during morning cleaning. Hallways and other surfaces that animals come in contact with are also cleaned daily or between animals. When a dog is adopted or permanently removed from a kennel, it must be sterilized before a new dog can be assigned to that kennel. Staff and volunteers who are assigned to work in a healthy kennel area should not go into a contagion area. Once anyone has gone into a contagion area, they may not then work in a healthy animal area. It is important for volunteers and staff to wash or sanitize hands after handling one animal and before handling the next animal. Staff and volunteers also spot clean as needed. Some people like to walk on the public side of the kennels and make notes of kennels that need cleaning. Others prefer to check from the kennel side and clean each dirty kennel as they find it. Besides reducing the risk of illness, a clean kennel makes the dog more appealing to patrons. Supplies required: Leash Doodlebug Squeegee Paper towels Scraper Trash bags Hose Note pad & pen for recording No Eats Gloves Red bin for collecting laundry/toys Accel Kennel former filled with Accel Concentrate 2 oz/gal or 4 oz/gal Morning Clean Starts at 6:00 a.m. Shifting Animals for Cleaning 1. Using a leash, shift dog from kennel to appropriate holding area. a. Dog in A/F kennel holding area between B/E b. Dog in B/E Kennel holding area between A/F c. Dog in C/D kennel holding area between A/F and B/E i. Dogs can be shifted simultaneously, one to A/F, the other to B/E. ii. C and D kennels can be cleaned simultaneously. iii. Dog in puppy kennel holding are to right or left, in the same mod. 2. Be sure dog is in secure holding area to avoid dog walking in Accel. 3. Follow directions for cleaning kennel (see below). 4. Once kennel is clean, use a leash to shift dog back into kennel.

CAUTION: To avoid fights, and the spread of disease, do NOT combine dogs in holding areas that are not normally kenneled together. If a dog is excessively fearful, growls, or is aggressive in any manner, notify a supervisor immediately. Do NOT attempt to move the dog. Daily Cleaning of an Occupied Kennel- Use blue top Accel foamer 2 oz/gal. 1. Remove dog from kennel as outlined above. 2. Remove all bowls, toys, and laundry. a. Place trash bag in red bin. 3. Place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash bag at end of module. 4. Spray any urine, feces, vomit or other foreign matter out of the kennel and into the gutter. a. Do not wash bedding, paper bowls, Kongs, toys or rawhides down the drains or drains will back up. 5. Using Accel kennel foamer, spray entire kennel: glass, walls, inside gates 6. Using doodlebug, scrub all walls, floor and gate. a. Use a hand brush for the chain link portion of the gate. b. Remove any brown oil, paw prints, grime or foreign matter. c. Pay particular attention to the edge of the bench, wall above the bench, corners, bottom of walls near floor and under the bench and wall edges near gate. 7. Allow surfaces to remain wet for five (5) minutes. 8. Rinse kennel thoroughly with water. a. Rinse automatic water bowl, if regular water dish, rinse and refill. 9. Using squeegee, dry glass, bench, walls and floor. 10. Flip sign on outside of kennel gate from UNSTERILE to STERILE. 11. Using hose, run water down gutter toward main gutter. 12. Sanitize squeegee and doodlebug with Accel between every kennel. Cleaning an Empty Kennel- Use red top Accel foamer 4 oz/gal. 1. Remove all bowls, toys, and laundry. a. Place trash bag in red bin. 2. Place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash bag at end of module. 3. Spray any urine, feces, vomit or other foreign matter out of the kennel and into the gutter. a. Do not wash bedding, paper bowls, Kongs, toys or rawhides down the drains or drains will back up. 4. Using Accel kennel foamer, spray entire kennel: glass, walls, inside gates. 5. Using doodlebug, scrub all walls, floor and gate. a. Use a hand brush for the chain link portion of the gate. b. Remove any brown oil, paw prints, grime or foreign matter.

c. Pay particular attention to the edge of the bench, wall above the bench, corners, bottom of walls near floor and under the bench and wall edges near gate. 6. Allow surfaces to remain wet for 10 minutes. 7. Rinse kennel thoroughly with water. a. Rinse automatic water bowl, if regular water dish, rinse and refill. 8. Using squeegee, dry glass, bench, walls and floor. 9. Using hose, run water down gutter toward main gutter. 10. Sanitize squeegee and doodlebug with Accel between every kennel. DO NOT WASH PAPER BOWLS, KONGS, TOYS OR RAWHIDES DOWN THE DRAINS OR DRAINS WILL BACK UP. TO PREVENT DRAIN CLOGS, CHECK TRAP BETWEEN MODULES 11 AND 12 EVERY 30 MINUTES DURING MORNING CLEAN. Finishing Up 1. Using a red bin, collect all dirty bowls, toys and laundry. 2. Wash dirty bowls and toys in the food preparation kitchen. 3. Take laundry to the laundry room. 4. Take trash to the trash compactor. 5. Record No Eats in Chameleon (See Feeding Adult Dogs and Puppies). 6. Wash all feces, urine and debris down the gutters. 7. Spray all puppy holding areas, windows and aisles with Accel 4 oz/gal. a. Let sit for 10 minutes. 8. Rinse holding areas with water. 9. Flush gutters with water. a. Insert hose from module 1 into long drain. b. Turn water on and allow to run. c. Insert hose from module 12 into drain by kennel 12E. d. Turn water on and allow to run. 10. After flushing gutters, clear trap of hair and debris. a. Wear long rubber gloves. b. Remove upper trap grate. c. Use metal drain stick to pull hair and debris up from lower gate and throw in trash. d. Do not tip lower grate in drain leave flat. e. Rinse the trap with water. Spot Cleaning 11:00 a.m. thru 7:00 p.m. Supplies Required: Leash Paper Towels Glass Cleaner Doodlebug Squeegee Scraper

Trash Bags Hose (water on) Note pad and pen for recording No Eats Red bin for collecting laundry/toys Accel Kennel foamer filled with Accel Concentrate 2 oz/gal or 4 oz/gal 1. Dog may not need to be shift, but if necessary, use a leash to shift dog to appropriate holding area as outlined above. 2. Small manageable piles of feces can be picked up with a poop bag. a. Remaining fecal matter must be sprayed down with Accel from a spray bottle and wiped up thoroughly with a paper towel. 3. Spray out any urine, vomit, or feces into drains with water. a. Clear drain. b. Squeegee out excess water. 4. If kennel is heavily soiled, follow procedures for Sanitizing Kennel. 5. Using a leash, return dog to kennel. 6. Add enrichment to appropriate kennels. 7. Sanitize empty kennels as you find them. When morning clean is finished: Take out all trash and laundry Clean bowls/kongs Stock ALL items to get through the afternoon and the next morning clean. Stock each mod with paper towels, hand sanitizer, Accel, handheld squeegee, regular squeegee and doodle bug. Clean dog walking stairs Clean Kitchen Cleaning TLC (RL) Rooms Dogs from the TLC rooms may be taken to the donut hole for morning cleaning. Only dogs that are kenneled together may be put in the same pen. Each dog should be walked out using the nylon leash provided in its kennel. The leash should be put in the laundry after each dog. Be careful not to allow your dog to get close to any other dogs that may be walking in the hallway. The rooms may not all be able to be cleaned at once and dogs may have to go outside in shifts. During inclement/cold weather, the kennels can only be cleaned two at a time so the dogs are not outside too long or the indoor options can be used. After all the dogs have been removed from the rooms, remove bedding, toys, and paper food trays. Unlike other dog areas, feces must be removed from these rooms also. There is a trash can and a pooper scooper located in the supply closed. Be sure to wash the pooper scooper after use. When cleaning TLC kennels, you may refer to directions for normal morning cleaning and kennel sterilization for new dogs. Make sure windows and door are wiped down to remove paw and nose prints. LAUNDRY ROOM 1. Remember that clean laundry only goes in the RED bins. Dirty laundry only goes in the BLUE or WHITE bins. 2. All bags of laundry must be closed before placing them in the laundry room 3. Do not place dirty laundry in the hallway outside of the laundry room as it is a contamination issue.

4. Sweep out the lint compartment after every other load. Make sure you clean the top of the slanted lint trap. 3. Make sure both washers and dryers are running laundry before folding clean laundry. 4. Do not put the following in the washer: Plastic cat toys Trash Syringes Paper litter trays 5. Do not include mop heads with regular laundry. Mop heads should be run through the washers in a load by themselves. Please place dirty mop heads in the container between the washing machines. 6. Do not place rubber toys or rope leashes in the dryers, as they will melt. 7. Make sure you use two dryer sheets for each dryer load. 8. Sweep/mop the floor and empty the trashcan multiple times throughout the day. 9. Please only fold laundry once all machines are running. Fold clean laundry as neatly as possible and place it on the appropriate shelf. Shelves have been labeled as to what items should go where. Laundry/Toys Guidelines: Please fold the bedding to cover no more than ¼ of the kennel so the animals do not soil their bedding. Please put the bedding towards the glass front of the kennel so the dogs can urinate/defecate towards the drain. Please do not give 2 or more large dogs a bed unless okayed by a staff member Do not give bedding to puppies if there is more than 1. Give age and breed appropriate toys instead. Do not give toys to more than 1 dog in a kennel with the exception of puppies. Each dog should get a bed/towel/blanket per MCL. When giving bedding to multiple dogs, specifically small dogs please do not use multiple blankets/bedding; give a larger piece that allows all to lay on it. ***Step by step instructions are listed on the washers and dryers to assist you in operation of the machines. *** Foster Kennel Assistant Dogs Guillotine Kennels The kennels in the foster dog area are referred to as Guillotine Kennels. These kennels have a gate in the middle that can be lowered or raised from the outside of the kennel through a pulley system. This allows you to clean the kennel without removing the dog. Be sure to read all signage before raising a lowered guillotine. There are sometimes dogs that are separate on either side of the kennel and cannot be introduced. If you need to remove a dog from the kennel please follow the instructions below. When cleaning the dog kennels in foster it is important to be very observant. The animals kenneled in this area often have special needs, or are too young to properly care for themselves. Some things to watch for are: Is the dog recovering from a medical procedure? o How does the incision look? o Does the dog have a soiled or wet bandage? o Have they been licking, chewing or scratching at their incision site? Is the kitten too young to groom themselves? o It is important to pick up each kitten and check their bottoms for any caked on feces. If they have any feces on them they will either need to be wiped down or given a kitten bath. Ask the foster staff for help learning to give kitten baths. Does the cat or kitten appear very stressed? o Are they not eating or using their litter box? What signage is on the kennel door? o Are there special instructions for this cat, including special diet or staff only? Look for creature comforts look for special needs (recent surgeries) Can have toys and bedding in foster, unless noted otherwise Does the dog have an appropriate size water dish?

The foster dog area is a healthy area, if you see or hear any dogs coughing please notify staff immediately. Morning Clean Starts at 6:00 a.m. Daily Cleaning of an Occupied Kennel- Use blue top Accel foamer 2 oz/gal. 13. Isolate dog on one side of the guillotine 14. Remove all bowls, toys, and laundry. a. Place trash bag in red bin. 15. Place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash bag at end of module. 16. Spray any urine, feces, vomit or other foreign matter out of the kennel and into the gutter. a. Do not wash bedding, paper bowls, Kongs, toys or rawhides down the drains or drains will back up. 17. Using Accel kennel foamer, spray entire kennel: glass, walls, inside gates 18. Using doodlebug, scrub all walls, floor and gate. a. Use a hand brush for the chain link portion of the gate. b. Remove any brown oil, paw prints, grime or foreign matter. c. Pay particular attention to the edge of the bench, wall above the bench, corners, bottom of walls near floor and under the bench and wall edges near gate. 19. Allow surfaces to remain wet for five (5) minutes. 20. Rinse kennel thoroughly with water. a. Rinse automatic water bowl, if regular water dish, rinse and refill. 21. Using squeegee, dry glass, bench, walls and floor. 22. Flip sign on outside of kennel gate from UNSTERILE to STERILE. 23. Using hose, run water down gutter toward main gutter. 24. Sanitize squeegee and doodlebug with Accel between every kennel. Cleaning an Empty Kennel- Use red top Accel foamer 4 oz/gal. 11. Remove all bowls, toys, and laundry. a. Place trash bag in red bin. 12. Place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash bag at end of module. 13. Spray any urine, feces, vomit or other foreign matter out of the kennel and into the gutter. a. Do not wash bedding, paper bowls, Kongs, toys or rawhides down the drains or drains will back up. 14. Using Accel kennel foamer, spray entire kennel: glass, walls, inside gates. 15. Using doodlebug, scrub all walls, floor and gate. a. Use a hand brush for the chain link portion of the gate. b. Remove any brown oil, paw prints, grime or foreign matter.

c. Pay particular attention to the edge of the bench, wall above the bench, corners, bottom of walls near floor and under the bench and wall edges near gate. 16. Allow surfaces to remain wet for 10 minutes. 17. Rinse kennel thoroughly with water. a. Rinse automatic water bowl, if regular water dish, rinse and refill. 18. Using squeegee, dry glass, bench, walls and floor. 19. Using hose, run water down gutter toward main gutter. 20. Sanitize squeegee and doodlebug with Accel between every kennel. DO NOT WASH PAPER BOWLS, KONGS, TOYS OR RAWHIDES DOWN THE DRAINS OR DRAINS WILL BACK UP. TO PREVENT DRAIN CLOGS, CHECK TRAP BETWEEN MODULES 11 AND 12 EVERY 30 MINUTES DURING MORNING CLEAN. Finishing Up 11. Using a red bin, collect all dirty bowls, toys and laundry. 12. Wash dirty bowls and toys in the food preparation kitchen. 13. Take laundry to the laundry room. 14. Take trash to the trash compactor. 15. Record No Eats in Chameleon (See Feeding Adult Dogs and Puppies). 16. Wash all feces, urine and debris down the gutters. 17. Spray all puppy holding areas, windows and aisles with Accel 4 oz/gal. a. Let sit for 10 minutes. 18. Rinse holding areas with water. 19. Flush gutters with water. a. Insert hose from module 1 into long drain. b. Turn water on and allow to run. c. Insert hose from module 12 into drain by kennel 12E. d. Turn water on and allow to run. 20. After flushing gutters, clear trap of hair and debris. a. Wear long rubber gloves. b. Remove upper trap grate. c. Use metal drain stick to pull hair and debris up from lower gate and throw in trash. d. Do not tip lower grate in drain leave flat. e. Rinse the trap with water. Spot Cleaning 11:00 a.m. thru 7:00 p.m. Supplies Required: Leash Paper Towels Glass Cleaner Doodlebug Squeegee Scraper

Trash Bags Hose (water on) Note pad and pen for recording No Eats Red bin for collecting laundry/toys Accel Kennel foamer filled with Accel Concentrate 2 oz/gal or 4 oz/gal 8. Spray out any urine, vomit, or feces into drains with water. a. Clear drain. b. Squeegee out excess water. 9. If kennel is heavily soiled, follow procedures for Sanitizing Kennel. 10. Add enrichment to appropriate kennels. 11. Sanitize empty kennels as you find them. Bedding and Toys Once morning cleaning is complete you can go around and make sure that the dogs have appropriate toys and bedding. LAUNDRY ROOM 5. Remember that clean laundry only goes in the RED bins. Dirty laundry only goes in the BLUE or WHITE bins. 6. Sweep out the lint compartment after every other load. Make sure you clean the top of the slanted lint trap. 10. Make sure both washers and dryers are running laundry before folding clean laundry. 11. Do not put the following in the washer: Plastic cat toys Trash Syringes Paper litter trays 12. Do not include mop heads with regular laundry. Mop heads should be run through the washers in a load by themselves. 13. Do not place rubber toys or rope leashes in the dryers, as they will melt. 14. Make sure you use a dryer sheet for each dryer load. 15. Sweep/mop the floor and empty the trashcan multiple times throughout the day. 16. Please only fold laundry once all machines are running. Fold clean laundry as neatly as possible and place it on the appropriate shelf. Shelves have been labeled as to what items should go where. ***Step by step instructions are listed on the washers and dryers to assist you in operation of the machines.***