Day 3 On-the-Job Training Becoming a Kennel Assistant PLEASE SIGN IN & BEGIN YOUR GET GOING ACTIVITY Turn in 4 signed documents to Isabel if you have not already done so.
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING: Becoming a Kennel Assistant Objective: By the end of today, you will know the basic tasks associated with being a Kennel Attendant, the supplies and chemicals needed and safety measures in regards to using them. You will also practice being safe around animals and REVIEW ZOONOTIC DISEASES & BODY LANGUAGE for Tuesday s QUIZ!
TODAY S LESSON CTE BASIC ANIMAL CARE DAY 3 ON-THE-JOB TRAINING
Our Motto Is: I will work enthusiastically during my entire shift, show initiative and take pride in a job well done! Why?
ON-THE-JOB TRAINING Keep a journal of what you did and the steps involved. Getting an Agenda today but won t normally on OJT days. Those days are meant for you to record your activities in your Journal! Check-in with Supervisor immediately upon arrival. Do not arrive late this is a job and the staff and animals are depending on you! If you are ill or will not be there, phone your instructor at least an hour prior to your call time. This is a job! Wear appropriate attire at all times OJT and Class days no exceptions.
OJT Continued Work enthusiastically through-out your entire shift and honor all Class & Shelter Rules. As you gain my confidence, you will get to work with the animals. If you are unsure of ANYTHING ASK! Do not work with an animal you are uncomfortable with or perform a task that you are not confident doing. Unless instructed otherwise, when you complete a task, meet instructor at the benches by vending machines for your next assignment. Do not aimlessly wander the Shelter, text, etc You are on the job for 2 ½ hours! THE ANIMALS & STAFF THANK YOU!
Student Job Duties There is always something to do at the Animal Shelter! Poop Patrol Clean play yards Unfold newspapers Clean carriers/crates Stock carriers in front office Check to make sure all dogs have water Clean cages/runs, drop-off cages and replace towels Clean windows Sweep garage and make sure to clean tub area Laundry Take donations left in the lobby to the food room Sweep back parking lot and in front of main doors Exercising & Socializing the animals Looking for any behavior change, injury or illness
You will find one or more MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheets) in all public buildings and places of employment.
JOURNALS Instruction Manual How to be a Kennel Assistant Dates you performed each task
Dog Kennels Main kennel consists of 40 kennels Odd number on the right Even number on the left Back kennel is the Quarantine Area Consists of 10 kennels Quarantine is used for dogs that have bitten, puppies, dogs that are under treatment
CLEANING DOG RUNS - OUTSIDE Don t get dogs wet! Call dogs to INSIDE and close dividers securely don t let them bang. Thoroughly hose cement & walls if needed so that debris goes completely under septic grate but making sure no toys or blankets go under. Metal scrapers are available on the top of each side to help you thoroughly clean. Verify that no fecal matter is caught under metal flap covering the sewer. Always make sure dogs have clean drinking water and re-open divider so they can go outside and LOCK kennel!
CLEANING DOG RUNS - INSIDE Don t get dogs wet! Call dogs to OUTside and close dividers securely don t let them bang. Sweep up any spilled food and replace any soiled bedding. NEVER add bedding to a run where there was none without first checking with a Kennel Attendant. Some dogs are chewers If there is urine or fecal matter INSIDE the run, remove bedding and bowls, and thoroughly hose cement & walls if needed so that debris goes completely under septic grate but making sure no toys or blankets go under. Metal scrapers are available on the top of each side to help you thoroughly clean. Verify that no fecal matter is caught under metal flap covering the sewer. Always make sure dogs have clean drinking water and re-open divider so they can go inside and LOCK kennel.
SANITIZING DOG RUNS When a dog gets adopted, is moved to another run, is sick or otherwise leaves his temporary home, we need to sanitize that run before another dog comes in. Follow previous procedures but after an initial hosing, don gloves and mix bleach solution in a bucket (1/2 cup bleach to 1 gallon water) with some dish soap, and with a brush, thoroughly scrub down cement, tile walls, metal divider and metal flap with solution making sure nothing is stuck to any surface. Plastic beds/flats should also be scrubbed. Lift metal flap and scrape down septic then carefully hose debris (carefully cause you don t want it splashing at you). Hose entire run and let dry replacing items.
Don t forget door handles, thresholds and windows leading to kennels and other areas need cleaning. Fingers, paw prints, etc make these areas ICKY! Pull weeds. When hosing an area, always put up yellow safety signs notating wet floors!
DROP OFF CAGES Always check on your way in to make sure there are not animals and alert staff if there is! Remove soiled towels, clean with bleach solution and replace with clean towels. Add fresh water and clean bowls.
CAT ROOMS Available cat room Cat maternity room Socialization/Feral/VIC Room Cat Hospital Kitten Room Adult Cat Room by Laundry
CLEANING CAT CAGES Use a new pair of latex gloves for each cage This is vital to the health of the cats and kittens. You can spread disease if gloves are not switched out. If possible, leave cat in cage, move to a clean cage or carrier. Do not hold the animals against your clothing because when you do this with the next kitten you will be spreading disease. There is a cat cart that is used when cleaning. It has gloves, food, water, and towels. You must be shown, by a staff member, the proper way of cleaning a cat cage before you are able to do it on your own.
Remove food, water, litter box and old newspaper. Sweep out litter debris. Wipe down ALL walls, floor and ceiling with bleach solution. Spray bottles can be found on the cleaning cart, in each cat room and next to the litter pans outside the kitchen. Remember: ½ cup bleach to 1 gallon of water. Dry cage and put in clean newspaper, extending it up the walls about 3 on the back and side to create a splash. Refresh dry food and water using same bowls unless a change is needed. All dry food can be found on the cat carts or in the feed room. Kittens MUST receive baby kitten food as the kibble is smaller for their new teeth. Spoon wet food into rectangular paper containers adding necessary vitamins. These items can also be found on cat carts and in feed room. Kittens MUST receive wet food as it is higher in protein and helps with weight gain. Lock cage when cat is safely secured in his clean environment! Don t forget to sweep and mop floors, clean door handles & windows and don t forget those thresholds.
ANIMAL BITES Always ask for assistance if you are unsure of working with an animal. Exercise caution and learn to read body language. At first glance some injuries don t appear bad, but 5% of dog bites and 50% of cat bites become infected.
IF YOU ARE BITTEN, IMMEDIATELY TELL SUPERVISOR and WASH, WASH, WASH with soap and water. We will need to fill out a report and get you medical assistance.
CLEANING RABBIT CAGES IMPORTANT TIPS: Approach a rabbit from the side rather than head-on. Like horses, they have been vision from the side so they know you are coming. To safely carry a bunny, place one hand behind the forelegs and the other under his rump. Hold him close to your body allowing him to bury his head in the crook of your arm. Rabbits do not do well once the temperature climbs above 80 F so frozen water bottles must be added for each bunny. You can find them in the kitchen freezer. Please replace as needed.
Get bunny into crate if possible and remove from cage. Otherwise work carefully around him. Remove litter box, ceramic tile and sanitize with white vinegar NO BLEACH FOR RABBITS! Absorbent material/litter/wood shavings are in trashcan in the corral along with other needed items behind picket fence. Clean inside of cage so that it is free of droppings and urine. Food bowls and water bottles should be cleaned and refilled. Hay should always be in abundance in litter boxes! Think enough to fit in a shoe box.
Slide out tray and take off top layers or replace entire stack of newspaper if needed, and sanitize before putting in fresh paper. Sweep corral or dropped hay and debris. Always check with a KA before giving carrots, fruit and greens.
CLEANING CRATES Bring all crates to cleaning area on north side of shelter. Often crates are stacked by garage. Fill buckets with water and appropriate amount of bleach (1/2 cup per gallon of water). Using brushes, thoroughly scrub crates and cages inside and out then hose off completely. Place in sun to dry then re-stack. Feral boxes go to garage. Pull any weeds in the area; sweep and rake.
Crates Carriers Feral Box
LAUNDRY Shake out laundry over garbage for any debris. Do not wash and dry chunks of poop or vomit! Do not change settings on washes. Just push ON. Add one scoop soap powder and ½ cup bleach as machine starts to fill. Loosely place clothes around edges not in center. When done, place blankets/towels in dryers just pushing ON (do not turn or machines will buzz and scare cats). Don t forget to empty lint tray after each dryer load and neatly fold all items.
GARAGE Show initiative but do not develop your own system without talking to instructor or kennel attendant. Keep donations, towels and supplies neatly stacked. Floors swept. Grooming tub clean. Dump trash.
NEWSPAPERS In Feed & X-ray Machine get rid of slicks, single pages, colored portions and ads. Unfold and stack neatly double sheets. Keep area neat. Do not stick anything on walls please.
LITTER PANS Neatly fill and stack on table outside kitchen and cart just outside medical exam room. Keep table and floor area clean. Refill Litter Bin as needed.
KITCHEN Soak Dog Bowls for 30 minutes in hot soapy water. Scrub & Rinse. Soak bowls again for 30 minutes, this time in cold water and bleach. Rinse thoroughly. Let air dry upside down on towels. When done, dry and stack on food carts. Wipe down fronts of cabinets and counter tops taking care if there are animals in there. Mop floor down hallway wiping doorknobs and windows along the way.
PLAY YARDS Pull weeds, sweep of all leaves and debris depositing into garbage cans. Fresh water in bowls at all times. Collect toys in baskets. Hose down urine and feces. Clean bleach solution is scooper buckets. Take out trash as needed.
LOBBY Wipe countertops (rags), clean windows (paper towels to avoid streaks), sweep and mop floors, always taking care not to get cleaners on any animals housed there. Please, please, please wring out mops. They should be barely damp when using them and put up yellow safety signs notating wet floors. Thresholds sometimes need a brush taken to them! Straighten magazines, flyers and make the area look welcoming and presentable. Eventually you will learn to care for any pocket pets temporarily residing in the lobby Vacuum door mats at both ends of hall. Wipe down door knobs and door windows. Sweep out front. Empty Donation Bins.
CLASS ROOM Clean table, countertop and fronts of cabinets. Wash windows and white board. Vacuum. Neatly stack chairs and other items. Organize countertop and cabinet interiors including coffee supplies, plates, napkins, etc
LET S TAKE ANOTHER TOUR to see where each of these jobs happen! No fingers in cages, loud voices or running -- stay with the group.
Proper Handling & Restraint
Humans vs Our Four-Legged Friends Unlike human patients, dogs and cats are not usually willing participants in the care of their health and well being
Even when things start off going well, a friendly animal may start to feel threatened so your actions will determine if you can continue the procedure.
Keep doors shut! MOST BASIC RULES Calmly but quickly alert if you are letting go of an animal. Use your happy voice and stay aware at all times.
Restraining, Handling & Muzzling Catch Pole, Net, Tongs, Traps Leashes & Harnesses Figure 8 Harness Towel Muzzling Proper Handling & Hand Restraint
RULES OF RESTRAINT Hold back, check or suppress action Keep under control Improper restraint can affect the physical and psychological effect of the animal as well as people trying to help Use the least amount needed to accomplish the mission CALMLY BUT IMMEDIATELY let others know if you need to let go
VARIOUS DEGREES OF RESTRAINT 1. Gentle touch and a soft voice 2. Immobilization of a portion of the body 3. Confinement 4. Tranquilize, sedate or anesthetize
Catch Pole
Tongs
Nets
Collars / Leashes / Harnesses Buckle Quick Release Choke Chain Pinch Collar Martingale Combo Harness
or in a figure eight harness.
Hands are your most flexible equipment Can soothe and calm an animal while also manipulating his body Your Voice is also a powerful instrument Animals respond to tone and pitch but react negatively if you convey fear or a lack of confidence No mixed signals (don t yell and then soothe) Be a kind and gentle ALPHA
Fight or Flight Don t let the animal think he is under attack The more forceful the restraint, the more the animal may resist or become stressed
Most animals remember bad past experiences, so never let yours become a bad experience an animal later remembers!
PRECAUTIONS 1. Use minimal restraint and lighten as needed THINK GENTLE FIRM and alert Veterinarian to the cat s changing temperament. You are holding and watching the cat, so you must be aware of any behavioral swings. 2. Keep all doors closed in case you need to let go. 3. Watch body language! 4. Don t treat all animals the same each is a unique individual. 5. Distraction techniques can be a godsend silly noises, ear or chin scratch, wiggling back legs, toy, etc. 6. Don t lose your temper no matter what nor tighten your hold as if to force the cat into cooperation. You have just doomed the procedure.
Extend a curled finer and talk in a soft soothing voice See if cat will then allow you to touch or pick her up Find an itchy spot behind the ears or at the base of the tail
Scruffing looks uncomfortable but can have a calming effect. Some cats go limp drawing up their hind feed when scruffed.
A towel may be helpful
Take care not to choke the cat!
You can not establish dominance over a cat like you can with a dog, so use must build trust Always keep your face away!
HELPFUL REMINDERS Remain alert to changing body language Wear long sleeves Have distractions available toys or anything to attract attention Put on your silly voice Stay calm!
Sometimes you may also need to apply a cat muzzle!
Muzzling Techniques STEP 1: Make a loop in the center of fabric strip. STEP 2: Slip loop over dog s snout and tighten to firmly shut mouth, but make sure fabric does not cut into dog s skin.
STEP 3: Cross ends of fabric under chin exchanging ends in each hand. STEP 4: Bring ends of fabric around each side of dog s neck and tie off in a bow never a knot behind ears.
DOG LEASH OR HARNESS
KITTY FIGURE 8 HARNESS
LET S PRACTICE Temporary Muzzle Figure 8 Harness Slipping on leash
Let s Review Our Safety Lesson
1. Learn to Properly Handle Cats 2. Immediately wash with chlorhexidine or anti-bacterial soap 3. Observe healing may need to seek medical attention 4. SYMPTOMS: infected scratches and punctures, swollen lymph nodes ZOONOTIC DISEASES are what?
CAT SCRATCH FEVER
QUARANTINE means?
ISOLATION for biting, healing or giving birth. As long as needed except for biting 10 days to observe and make sure Rabies is not present.
Parrot Fever SYMPTOMS: coughing, vomiting and muscle pain Keep birds lice and mite-free and wear dust masks when cleaning cages
PSITTACOSIS
ANTIBODY: What creates immunity! Protein made by white blood cells that neutralize the affects of toxins; created in response to antigens (substance introduced into body) INFLAMMATION: Body s reaction to infection or injury (red, warm, swelling, pain) LYMPH NODES: Small masses of lymphatic tissue that can trap bacteria primarily in the neck, armpits and groin
Reading Animal Behavior How are those drawings coming along?
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=bstvg_suzmo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rihluk9xr1e
Other methods of restraint?
FUNGUS! Not a worm. Spread via direct contact SYMPTOMS: scaly/crusty circular patch on the skin with no hair Need medical treatment
RINGWORM
1. Fresh water supply. 2. Wear rubber gloves when cleaning up. 3. SYMPTOMS: vomitting & diarrhea
GIARDIA
Tick transmitted disease SYMPTOMS: Fever, headache, nausea, skin rash
ROCKY MOUNTAIN SPOTTED FEVER
Kitty feces Most humans do carry the anti-body (immunity) to this disease SYMPTOMS: enlarged lymph nodes, headache, fever, mono-like but can become more serious and lead to birth defects in unborn fetus
TOXOPLASMOSIS
More to Review 1. What do you do should we have to evacuate the Shelter? 2. What happens at an Animal Shelter and who are they key staff members? 3. What happens if you get bitten or scratched by an animal? 4. What is the best way to prevent the spread of zoonotic diseases? 6. How does the body react to infections? (ie: antibodies, inflammation, lymph nodes) 7. Describe what a happy and unhappy cat/dog look like. 8. How much restraint should we use on a pet and what are the best types?
Why is it wrong to tie an animal to the Drop Off Cages?