Working with Dogs at the Shelter

Working with Dogs in the Shelter

General Guidelines to Assist You as You Care for the Dogs in the Shelter

• If the dog you are working with is a recent arrival, and appears to be nervous and scared, DO NOT ATTEMPT TO HANDLE THE DOG. You must leave it alone for the Shift Leader to handle it. Even the nicest dogs may bite.

 Behavior of a dog that may bite:
• Cowers in a corner
• Shows teeth
• Ears are pinned back
• Eyes stare and glare at you.

• Always move slowly and talk calmly to the dog when you open the cage door. Explain what you are going to do, even though they don’t know what you are saying. It just helps to hear a gentle voice.


General Information

• Dogs with fleas or ear mites should be brought to the attention of the Shift Leader or Medical Committee.

• Volunteers are not allowed to accept WALK-INS.

• We are not allowed to accept owner’s pets. This is the owner’s responsibility. We can provide assistance in helping them place the pet by putting them on our web page.

• Visitors are not allowed to open cages and handle dogs without a volunteer present. Children under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.

• Dogs cannot be adopted as GIFTS.

• If dogs are not neutered or spayed before leaving the shelter, an appointment will be set up with the new owner as part of the adoption fee.


Outdoor Guidelines

• Take dogs one (1) at a time to the outside run. Be sure outside door is UNLOCKED. Be on the alert with puppies. They move quickly and can be out of the cage or kennel in no time.

• Each run must have its latch down AND clip locked. Also close main gate behind you.


Cleaning Guidelines

Outside Runs

• Cleanup whenever possible when the dog defecates. This keeps the dog from stepping in or jumping on it. (If 2 volunteers are working together, one can work outside and the other inside).

• Dog waste is put into a waster container with a garbage bag. Keep the waste container covered to keep the flies, rain and snow out. BE SURE WASTE IS TAKEN TO THE DUMPSTER when you leave. If any dog has diarrhea or any other unusual problems, be sure to leave a note in the Dog Book on the reception counter. Write the date, the dog’s name, the problem and your name.

• Outside runs should be bleached and hosed down. All debris should go into the center drain. Clean drain of any dog hair, stones, etc.

Inside Kennels & Floor Cages

• Rubber or disposable gloves should be worn. Remove all wet or soiled bedding. Shake laundry over garbage to remove poop, vomit, toys, etc. Pre-rinse in sink urine, poop, blood, etc., before putting in laundry basket.

• Shovel up any dog waste or spilled dog food. Pick up any reusable raw hides or toys (be sure the same dog gets the same toys/rawhides back). Toys can be washed and sanitized.  Place in kennel basket.

• Remember, these dogs are strays. We do not want to transfer any diseases or other problems.

• Food and water bowls should be washed in hot, soapy water and RINSED WELL WITH HOT WATER. Toys should be done in the same manner.


Morning Kennel Cleaning

• All kennels and floor cages should be sprayed with ODOBAN. (Spray bottles are available). Spray floors, walls, risers, gates, etc. Hose down each kennel and floor cage. Wipe up any excess water with towels to prevent any accidents. Remove any dog hair or debris from drain. Run back wash for a few minutes to clear out debris and waste.

• Each kennel or floor cage should have clean bedding, treats, raw hide, toy, water bowl (using the larger metal bowls) and food bowls. Refrain from using plastic bowls when possible. Some dogs will chew them.

Evening Kennel Cleaning

• Kennel cleaning in the evening is the same as the AM cleaning. Only kennels that have been soiled with waste and/or urine need to be sanitized. Any time a dog is moved or adopted, the kennel or cage needs to be sanitized.

Feeding Procedures

• NO CAN OR MOIST FOOD IS TO BE GIVEN UNLESS SPECIFIED. Check the dog’s jacket for feeding instructions.

• Dogs and puppies get fed twice a day. Each dog gets 1 cup of food per 35lb of body weight. This means that a 70lb dog will get 4 cups of food per day. Use good common sense. PLEASE DO NOT OVERFEED THEM. THIS CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO THEIR HEALTH. Dogs or puppies new to the shelter may not eat the first few days. At this time, give them whatever they will eat.

• Feed dogs before adoption hours 10:00 to noon (except Fridays) and 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Activity in the dog room or outside kennels creates excitement and dogs will spill their food and waste it.


Laundry

Washer

• Always shake out bedding or towels
• Pre-rinse soiled bedding in laundry tub.
• Do not overload washer.
• Use 1/4 cup laundry soap (liquid or powder) and 2 cups bleach.
• Water setting is cold. Hot water prevents the bleach from being a disinfectant.

Dryers

• Clean lint filter after each load.
• Do not overload.
• Use fabric softener sheets when available.
• If back garage door is open, check on dryer vent socks and replace if needed.

Reminders

• Do as much laundry as possible.
• Take out all garbage (inside & out) to dumpster.
• Cleaning and sanitizing is the key to preventing the spread of diseases.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Try not to leave anything extra for the next set of volunteers.
• Wash hands before and after working with the dogs.
• Read through the log book located on the reception counter for any notes from the previous shift.
• Check the chalk board for any vet appointments or surgeries. A stool sample is usually necessary or water and food removed the night before surgery.
• MEDICATIONS ARE GIVEN BY DESIGNATED PEOPLE ONLY.


Working with the Public

When a visitor is interested in a dog or puppy, here are some general questions you can ask before giving them an adoption application:

• Do you have any other pets?

• If yes, ask where the animal stays (indoor or outdoor).

• If they have a dog, ask if it is current on vaccinations and who their vet is.

• If they do not have a pet, ask if they ever had one. If yes, what happened to it? (THIS CAN TELL YOU A LOT).

• Where do they live? In a house, or apartment? Do they own or rent? Are pets allowed?

• Are there children in the home?

• Can they afford the expense of a pet - the food, vet care and other necessities?

If a visitor is hesitant to answer these questions, or if you get a “funny” feeling about them, let them fill out an application for the animal they are interested in. Put the application in the Adoption Application book.  Make a separate note of your concerns about the applicant on the back of the application with the date and your name.  An Adoption Counselor will review the application and contact the applicant.

Remember to tell applicants when they fill out an application, IT IS NOT FIRST COME FIRST SERVE. It is the best match for the family and the dog.

 

The Parma Animal Shelter is provided by PAS, Inc. for the stray and homeless adoptable animals of Parma, Ohio.  The Parma Animal Shelter, Inc. strives to avoid using Euthanasia but recognizes it as sometimes necessary.

Our objective is to reduce the stress and trauma of lost, stray and abandoned animals in Parma.  Also:

1. Provide care for the animals while at the shelter.

2. Find new homes for abandoned animals.

3. Offer public education and awareness.

It is acceptable to tell the public that this shelter exists due to irresponsible “pet” owners that do not spay/neuter their pets, allow them to roam freely and do not look for them when they are missing.  Countless numbers of “pets” are abandoned each year.

Revised:  8/18/2004