The shelter where I used to work struggled a lot with these issues. We discovered the staff was working hard, but not as a team. We devised a plan to help them be on the same schedule and know exactly what to do. After training and a little practice, things ran smoother daily. Some of the things seem like common sense, but aren't always communicated during training. It was also designed so a volunteer who wanted to help could look at the schedule and know what to do to help. We kept it posted in the dog area for anyone who needed to reference it. Here is what we used for the big dogs (around 60). We also had a small dog protocol and one for cats. We came up with the protocols as a group effort- leadership and techs. It made a big difference in efficiency and animal care. We were lucky to have a big volunteer force who walked the dogs every evening. Once we got the cleaning and basic needs taken care of (feeding, clean water, getting out to potty) efficiently, we added enrichment.
Big Dog Protocol
Morning Cleaning
1. Turn on lights and fans.
2. Walk through all kennels to check for dogs in medical emergencies.
3. Turn on vents. Make sure AC is turned off.
First Round (Adoption Row)
1. Begin taking out dogs on adoption row. Begin with first kennel beside sink closet.
2. Put this dog in the first outside kennel closest to the outside door.
3. Move remaining dogs in order to outside kennels.
4. Employee 1: Fill sink with dishwater (1 cap full bleach, splash of dish soap.)
Employee 2: Begin scooping poop in kennels.
5. Employee 1: Fill mop bucket in sink closet.
Employee 2: Fill mop bucket for lobby.
6. Employee 1: Start on kennel closest to sink closet. Flip beds to right, put clean
toys on top of wall to the right and dump water bowls.
Employee 2: Start on kennel closest to lobby. Flip beds to right, put clean toys on
top of wall to the right and dump water bowls.
7. Employee 1: Begin spray kennel closest to sink closet, bed and 1 foot out from
kennel with water hose.
Employee 2: Begin spray kennel closest to lobby, bed and 1 foot out from kennel
with water hose.
8. Employee 1: Take dustpan and brush and clean out drains.
Employee 2: Dry dog beds and put clean toys back on bed.
9. Begin bringing dogs back in beginning with the outside kennel closest to outside
door. Continue in that order.
10. Employee 1: Continue bringing in remaining 3 dogs.
Employee 2: While employee 1 is bringing in remaining 3 dogs, begin scooping
poop in the outside kennels.
11. Employee 1: Begin Wysiwashing the outside kennels.
Employee 2: Begin mopping starting at the lobby door, ending at outside door.
GIVE ALL MEDS BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND ROUND.
THIS INCLUDES PANACUR.
Second Round
1. Repeat same procedure.
Third Round
1. Repeat same procedure.
2. Mop from lobby door (by copier), ending at outside door closest to sink closet.
Move mop bucket with you so you can ring out mop head frequently to keep
water from pooling on floor.
3. Feed all dogs with recommended dosage and with canned food.
4. Clean food cart.
After Cleaning Routine
First Round (Adoption Row)
1. Begin taking out dogs in same order as morning cleaning.
2. Reset kennels – scoop poop, 2 toys and give treats.
3. Put Odoban in each drain. (1 cap Odoban in a red watering jug labeled "Odoban
ONLY")
4. 12pm – bring in dogs in same order as morning cleaning.
5. Wysiwash outside kennels.
Second Round
1. Repeat same procedure.
2. 1:30pm – bring in dogs.
3. Wysiwash outside kennels.
Third Round
1. Repeat same procedure.
2. 3pm – bring in dogs.
3. Wysiwash outside kennels and dump poop bag in dumpster. Put new bag in
bucket.
4. 3:30pm – give evening meds to all dogs.
5. 4:00pm – fill water in bowls in each kennel to top of bowl and kennel is free of
poop.
6. Change lobby mop bucket and replace with new mop head.
7. Rinse out sink.
***Be sure after wysiwashing, to empty all water out of sprayer. Detach from hose.
Sunday Tasks
1. Foam scrub all concrete kennels and doors-remove all dirt and poop.
2. Update all cage cards in computer.
3. Double check DHLPP booster dates.
4. Bathe dogs and nail trim.
Medication Protocol *
Kennel cough symptoms (sneezing, runny nose, lack of appetite, weepy eyes):
See attached Protocol
Diarrhea*
First determine if symptoms and age suggest Parvovirus, test if necessary-anyone
touching dog should gown and glove.
If result is positive, immediately call PVH and take dog there.
If dog has come into the shelter in the last 5 days, do a fecal float and start on Sucralfate
for 10 days.
If dog has been in the shelter for more than 5 days, start on Metronidizole and Albon for
10 days.
Neuter over 50 lbs:
E-collar and Start on Cephalexin immediately after neuter for 7 days, twice a day. If
swelling, ice 2 to 3 times a day
All other symptoms:
Write dog name and symptoms on dry erase board in kitchen for Dr. Hickenbottom to
evaluate.
Skin issues: Skin scrape, medicated bath, hydroxyzine for itching Check with Doc
Pyrantel
To be given on the 1 st and 15 th of each month. Be sure to wait at least 2 weeks to give
after they receive Pyrantel when they first arrive to the shelter.
Panacur
To be started the day after they arrive to the shelter for 5 consecutive days.
Advantix
First dose when they arrive to the shelter. Only give as needed if fleas are seen if in the
shelter more than a month from when they received their first dose.