Animal Welfare Professionals

 View Only

  • 1.  Puppy protocols

    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous
    Posted 03-25-2024 03:11 PM
    This message was posted by a user wishing to remain anonymous

    Hi all,

    I've worked at a number of different shelters and seen a variety of puppy protocols, from puppies simply not being allowed on porous surfaces (grass/dirt), to puppies being "carry only" so they don't walk in common areas where disease may be easily transmitted, to shelters that require full PPE for puppies. I am wondering if there are any studies looking at the cost/benefit of more restrictive protocols (eg full PPE) and how the reduction in handling during the sensitive socialization window may impact long term behavioral health. Does anyone have sources or info they could direct me to? 

    Thanks! 


    #Behavior,TrainingandEnrichment
    #DataandTechnology
    #Medicine,SurgeryandSterilization


  • 2.  RE: Puppy protocols

    Posted 03-26-2024 07:16 AM

    A great source of information is Gigi's Shelter behavior department. Their website is gigis.org. I'm sure they would be happy to share their protocols. I just attended a seminar on that subject at the Midwest Vet Conference and the speaker was the behaviorist from that organization.



    ------------------------------
    Kathleen Griffin
    Licking County Humane Society
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: Puppy protocols

    Posted 03-26-2024 07:32 AM

    Hi, Kathleen,

    I would love to have a copy of the protocol you referenced. Not being able to take even 4 to 6 month shelter puppies that are on the adoption floor out for walks has been frustrating. Sheila Segurson's behavior group briefly discussed the topic last year, but clearly more data is needed to develop healthy practices that will alleviate staff worries.

    Augusta



    ------------------------------
    Augusta Farley
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Puppy protocols

    Posted 03-27-2024 11:28 AM

    Hello all:

    I read Augusta's post and just said "WOW!" - I can't imagine not having puppies out for walks or other experiences until they are 4-6 months old. In the private practice world where I started, "puppy kindergarten" was all the rage - as long as pups were appropriately immunized and dewormed (as much as they could be for their ages), the benefits of early socialization and basic training seemed to outweigh all the possible problems. Now that I'm in the shelter world, we have puppies that go out for walks almost as soon as they can be taught to walk on the leash! They walk around our parking area (which is quite large), so some asphalt and some grass. Any problems we've had with contagious disease have been problems that arrived WITH the puppies rather than something they acquired outside getting some exercise and some exposure to different noises/situations. Hope that helps!



    ------------------------------
    Kirsten Cianci, VMD
    Palmetto Animal League
    Ridgeland, SC 29936
    =^..^=
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Puppy protocols

    Posted 04-16-2024 07:29 AM

    We have no problems but we do have protocols irregardless of age. We have a large green space in addition to  4 fenced dog yards. Dogs do not go out into the yards until they are out of impound(first vaccines and de-wormer done) We have a green space designated to walk the impound dogs away from the dog yards. We have a 4 stall police impound and there is a green space designated for walking theses dogs. None cross paths with the other. "Poop patrol" done daily on all areas. We have a posted run list so each dog / dog group stays assigned to a particular run. (We can monitor the for poop problems)



    ------------------------------
    Rochelle Hamp
    Executive Director
    Headwaters Animal Shelter
    MN
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Puppy protocols

    Posted 04-16-2024 12:37 PM

    Yes! Yes! Yes! Would someone or group please take charge of creating a puppy protocol. It makes me nuts to see do not walk signs for all pups under 6 months at my shelter. They can only stay on concrete to potty.

    Surely we can calibrate risk given vaccinations, space to walk, age, presence of active outbreak (yes, I know it lives in soil.), length of stay, whatever so we do what we tell the public to do - socialize puppies.



    ------------------------------
    Augusta Farley
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content