Policies for HTT Boarding

Staff training - I hold (Joanne Heathcote) certificates in Canine first aid, pet care business & Dog training & will continue to develop in more courses taken.  Canine first aid will be repeated every 12 months for me & all staff.

All staff voluntary or employed will do online courses for Canine first aid and given in house training for knowledge in all our policies and procedures to care for the dogs & guidance on our daily routines. All staff will also be given the opportunity to do further online training to reach knowledge in all areas to maintain and fulfil the best care given to dogs. Further to this we will discuss further courses to encourage development.

 

Meet and Greet / Trial Stays –

An initial meeting at the pet’s home will be arranged, to look at how the dog reacts to strangers & interactions with me, a discussion will be had with the owners & documents will be filled in regarding: -

• Clients information and contact details.

• Is the dog/s good on/off the lead

• Is the pet/s up to date with all vaccinations

• how the pet is with people/other dogs

• will the pet be able to stay in a crate for a period of time (which will be for separation when needed & overnight, we do have rooms for separation as well.)

• How the pet as behaved previously with owner separation

• Health of the pet

• Details of the pet, age, breed etc…

• Veterinary they use.

• Food that they will supply for the period of stay & instructions on the dog’s normal routine.

• Where we will store the food (storage box in the pet’s room & Fridge if needed in a separate box container to other food supplies) I will also explain we have sperate bowls for each dog which are washed after every use & stored within the pet’s room.

• If the pet/s can eat in a room with other dog/s with separation(crate) or if ok together.

• What will happen if the dog does not eat, after 24 hours we will contact them & veterinary care.

• If the pet becomes injured or shows signs of ill health (veterinary care will be contacted and given rather by their chosen vets or another if not possible)

• Any medications their pet may be on & instructions on administering the medication.

 

All this information will be and If we feel the pet meets will be met for staying with HTT boarding, we will then arrange an appointment time for the owner and their pet to come to the premises too: -

• Allow the dog to spend time with us

• Meet another dog/s in a controlled environment & see how the pet settles (15 minutes will be arranged with the owner present, then a trial night will be arranged to access more without the owner to see how the dog reacts/separation to other dog/s if needed)

If we feel the dog will be happy & settled & all documents are completed & signed by the client, we will then agree for the pet to stay with us during the timeframe the customer asks for. All new dogs are closely monitored, especially in the first 48hours to ensure they are enjoying their stay.

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Medicines -

• HTT Boarding will administer all medicines according to the instructions of the owner or Vet.

• All medication is stored safely in the upper medicine box in the Pet room or medicine box in the fridge (if needed)

• Owner will fill in a medication form prior to stay.

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Handwashing -

• All staff will wash their hands when they start work, before interacting with any dogs.

• All staff will wash their hands in the dedicated hand wash sinks after interacting with dogs.

• All staff will wash their hands after undertaking any cleaning jobs.

• Handwipes and sanitiser will be provided for staff when they are walking dogs away from the home.

• A clean hand drying towel will be provided daily or more frequently if soiled.

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Cleaning procedures –

At HTT Boarding we recognise that cleaning and disinfection are important to help prevent the spread of infectious disease. The house and designated rooms are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following departure of any dogs. We use a pet-safe disinfectant and cleaners. Each designated room is checked and cleaned daily as necessary. Soiled toys or bedding materials will be removed and cleaned and disinfected. Water and feed bowls are emptied and cleaned daily.

 

Daily cleaning tasks –

• The designated rooms will be hoovered to remove debris such as dog fur.

• Smooth floors (tiles, lino etc) will be moped.

• Carpeted rooms will be spot cleaned if there is soiling.

• Clean food and water bowls in hot, soapy water (Throw away broken or damaged bowls)

• Fresh water supplied all day long.

• Dog beds/crates will be checked for soiling.

• Use hot, soapy water and paper towel to spot-clean the designated room.

• Pay special attention to scrub vomit, faeces, mud, etc.

• All communal areas will be moped and disinfected daily.

• Wash all cleaning instruments by dunking and agitating in a bucket of hot, soapy water. Disinfect all cleaning instruments after cleaning, allow all cleaning instruments to air dry.

• Clean sink area by wiping down with hot soapy water. Disinfect sink area by spraying with disinfectant.

Deep cleaning –

Designated rooms; between different dogs or weekly.

• If not vacant remove dog from designated room.

• Remove all bedding, toys, and dishes from the room.

• Wash in warm soapy water then disinfect all dishes, toys, crates and dog beds.

• Vacuum and/or sweep the room.

• Soft furnishings such as carpets, sofas, cushions, rugs will be mister sprayed with Simple Solution Extreme Pet stains and odour remover

• Soft dog bedding, blankets and towels etc will be washed on a hot wash.

• Allow disinfectant to remain on the surfaces for the time specified in the manufacturer’s instructions (most require several minutes to be effective). Wash off the disinfectant (unless the instructions advice otherwise).

• All cleaning equipment will be cleaned with detergent and hot water and then disinfected.

• Carpets and soft furnishing may need to be shampooed if heavily soiled.

 

We do a deep clean once a week, all chemicals & cleaning products, including PPE equipment are stored in an outside locked shed away from the pets.  All toys and fresh bedding/towels are stored in the pet room.

 

Cleaning other areas -

• The kitchen will be swept and moped daily with Trade chemicals fresh Pet kennel cleaner and disinfectant.

• All kitchen units will be wiped down with warm soapy water and then wiped down.

• The garden will be inspected daily for dog faeces, urine and vomit.

• Dog faeces will be removed

• Dog vomit, urine and poorly formed stools will be rinsed away, and the area treated with Trade chemicals fresh Pet kennel cleaner and disinfectant where necessary.

 

Vaccinations -

An up-to-date vaccination card must accompany all dogs. It is compulsory that all dogs must be vaccinated against:

• canine parvovirus

• canine distemper

• infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)

• leptospirosis

At HTT Boarding we also ask that dogs are vaccinated against:

• Bordetella Bronchiseptica

• canine parainfluenza virus

 

Fleas and Worming -

It is HTT Boarding policy to ask all clients to worm and flea treat their dogs within 1 week prior to boarding for their own well-being. If there is evidence of fleas, lice, ticks or worms whilst they are staying with us, we will contact the client’s vets to arrange treatment. The cost of any treatment will be invoiced to the client.

 

Prevention of, & Control of the spread of disease (infection control) –

A dog showing signs of an infectious disease –

• Will be placed in a seperate room  from the other dogs. This room has smooth floors and wipeable surfaces for easy cleaning and infection control.

• Fabric items will be removed from the room except for the dog’s bed or blankets, which can be easily washed in the washing machine.

• We have a video doorbell to advise visitors & clients to wait at the side entrance and this entrance will always be used whilst the dog is within this area, the door will alwaysbe locked .

• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be worn by all staff and visitors (owners/vets etc) entering the Hallway that is housing a potentially infectious dog. At a minimum, this consists of disposable gloves, disposable apron and impermeable shoe covers that are only worn in the isolation area.

• Gloves, apron and shoe covers must be discarded after a single use.

• Designated Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be removed before leaving the Hallway

• Contaminated items (e.g., dishes, litter trays, toys and laundry) must be bagged prior to being removed from the isolation area, to be cleaned and disinfected, or disposed of.

• Waste from an isolation room must be treated as infectious and must be bagged prior to being removed from the isolation area. Bags should then immediately be discarded in the external bins.

• Hands must be washed immediately after leaving isolation. If clothing becomes soiled then it must be changed and washed before the staff member interacts with other dogs, to avoid spreading any potential disease.

• HTT Day care & Boarding also will have an agreement with for them to act as an isolation facility and house sick dogs whilst they are treated.

• Monitoring and ensuring the health and welfare of all Dogs

The health, safety and welfare of our resident dogs is the top priority at HTT Day care & Boarding. Dogs are checked continuously throughout the day and interactions with each dog are recorded on the daily record

 

Monitoring & ensuring Health & Welfare of the animals 

The checks below will be observed and documented daily -

• Check to ensure that the dogs are feeding and drinking normally

• Undertake a health check as agreed with the owner

• 1st Daily Dog Walk

• 2nd Daily Dog Walk

• Access to external garden for at least 20 minutes

• Dog is defecating and urinating & behaving normally

If there is concern for the health or safety of a dog more frequent observations maybe undertaken and recorded separately to the daily observation sheet. The date and time of every check should be -

• listed, and notes made on the observations (temperament, behaviour, vomit, diarrhoea, lethargy etc)

• Decisions made on next steps e.g., make further observations in an hour, move to isolation, contact a vet, and the staff member or members who have made the decisions

 

 

Dogs under 1 policy –

• An additional member of staff will walk the puppy separately

• Shorter walks will be given for appropriate age and breed

• An additional member of staff will give the puppy extra human interaction and play time with toys suitable.

• Toys provided for play will be provided for the puppy

• A member of staff will give time away from the older dogs in a separate room for the puppy.

• All older dogs are checked for being neutered/spayed before boarding/Day care, if they have not been neutered/spayed they will be kept separate to puppies.

• Puppy’s will never be unsupervised with older dogs; a staff member will always be present.

• Enrichment toys such as snuffle mats will be provided.

• Puppy pads will be provided and training/encouraged to use outside area.

 

Transportation –

We use Heathcote’s Tail Travels, dog walking & pet services for transportation of the pets (contract in place & all of the company’s clients can choose to use our service as well.

They follow these rules of transportation –

• Transferred in a Renault kangoo maxi van

• All vehicles will be cleaned with hot water and soap and disinfected daily (If used).

• If a dog soils the vehicle, the vehicle will be cleaned and disinfected before being used again.

• Dogs will be placed in a secure dog crate/purposed built cages/secured wearing harness to seat buckle) to ensure their safety.

• Dogs will only be transported for a maximum of (distance/time) and all long journeys will be planned in advance to minimise delays due to traffic.

• Sufficient drinking water will be carried for the dogs when transported and being exercised away from the home.

• Sufficient cleaning materials will be kept in the vehicle to deal with soiling when away from the home.

• Dogs will not be transported in the vehicle in extremely hot or cold weather, unless in an emergency.

• The Vehicle as a vent in the roof for ventilation and an opening to the front of the van for extra air flow, van windows open at the front in warmer temperatures.

• The vehicle will be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected according to the cleaning regime.

• The prevention of, and control of the spread, of disease.

• Insurance in place to cover transportation

 

Death or Escape of a dog –

 

Escape of a Dog

Every effort is made to ensure that the home is secure, and dogs cannot escape.

All boarding dogs -

• Must wear a collar at all times. HTT Boarding will attach a tag to the collar, tag with the premises name, address, phone number and name of licensee.

• All windows are fitted with window restrictors to prevent dogs from escaping or kept locked (to prevent accidental opening).

In the unlikely event that a dog does escape the following procedure will be followed:

• All available staff will make an immediate search of the HTT Boarding premises and grounds.

• The Dog Warden Service will be contacted to see if the dog has been handed in and details of the dog left with them to make contact if the dog is found.

• The local RSPCA will be contacted to see if the dog has been handed in and details of the dog left with them to make contact if the dog is found.

• Local Vets will also be contacted to see if a dog has come to their attention.

• The owner will be contacted and kept informed of the situation, if possible, the home address will be checked by a member of staff, in case the dog has returned home.

• Posters will be placed, and local streets searched.

• Social media posts will be utilised asking local residents etc to share a photograph of the dog and report any sightings to HTT Day care & Boarding or Heathcote’s Tail Travels.

• A thorough investigation will be undertaken into the circumstances of the escape and procedures implemented to prevent a similar occurrence. The Incident Investigation Form will be completed.

Death of a Dog –

In the unlikely event of a death of a dog the following procedures will be followed.

• The dog will be removed from the home and taken to HTT Boarding nominated Vet.

• The Vet will be asked to determine the cause of death.

• The owner will be contacted at the earliest opportunity to inform them of the death.

• The dog’s body will be stored at the Vets until the owner is able to collect the body or gives instructions for the Dogs disposal.

• An Incident Investigation form will be completed.

 

Emergency Situations –

(1.1) Fire Safety

• Carbon Dioxide Fire extinguisher is located in the Pet room next to the kitchen. A Fire blanket is located in the pet room next to the kitchen.

• Extinguishers are served annually.

• Smoke detectors are located in the hall, the upstairs landing and the kitchen.

• Upon discovering a fire, the member of staff will immediately sound the alarm.

• All dogs will be put on a lead. Leads are kept in the pet room in the box used for leads. We will wait with all dogs outside on the field next to our house of 3 Leigh Fold.

• If possible, dogs will be placed in crates or in our transport van. Which holds 4-6 dogs.

• The dogs will only be returned to the house when it is safe to do so. Dogs that cannot longer be accommodated due to damage shall be transferred to another Licensed Dog Boarding establishment forthwith.

• Fire drills are undertaken twice per year, one shall in involve the removal of all dogs from the house.

 

(1.2) Carbon Monoxide

• There is a gas boiler providing heating and hot water located in the kitchen.

• A Carbon Monoxide detector is located in the kitchen and tested monthly.

• The gas boiler is serviced annually by a competent gas safe engineer.

• Carbon Dioxide is a tasteless, colourless, odourless gas that is toxic. In the event that the Carbon Monoxide detector sounds, staff shall quickly make their way out of the building opening windows and doors as they go.

• Call 999.

• Do not re-enter the building until you are told it is safe to do so, even to rescue a dog.

 

(1.3) Loss of Power

• Emergency torches are located in the hall next to the front door and in the front bedroom.

• The torches are tested monthly to ensure the batteries are working.

• In the event of a power loss the power company will be called to ascertain when the power is likely to be returned. If the power is likely to be off for more than 24 hours then consideration to hiring a generator shall be made.

• Loss of power in winter is likely to lead to loss of heating, so the loss of heating plan shall be followed.

• Alternatively, if the power cannot be restored via main or generator then arrangements to board the dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made.

• Emergency contacts for all boarded animals shall be kept ‘on the cloud’ so they can be accessed remotely or on a ‘grab sheet’ in the kitchen.

 

(1.4) Loss of Heating

In winter the loss of heating could be serious.

• Ensure all doors and windows are closed prevent any dogs entering the outside areas and to prevent the unnecessary loss of heat.

• See scenario for loss of power. Consider providing alternative heating arrangements such as gas/electric heaters.

• Before gas or solid fuel appliances are used a thorough risk assessment will be performed considering fire, burns and potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Only heaters approved for indoor use shall be used.

• Alternatively, if the temperature cannot be safely maintained above 10°C arrangements to board the dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made.

 

(1.5) Extreme Weather Conditions

Heat:

• Fans are provided

• Escape proof windows can be opened to help with the air flow.

• In the unlikely event that the temperature cannot be maintained below 26°C air conditioning unit will be used to lower the indoor temperatures.

• Dog walks will be limited to the coolest part of the day (early mornings & late evenings) and dogs will not be encouraged to be active when it is hot.

• Regular replenishment of cool drinking water will be undertaken.

• Wet cool towels will be provided for dogs to lie on.

• Paddling pool will be provided in the shaded area of the garden.

• Shade cover is used over dog area of garden.

Cold:

• If the current system cannot maintain the temperature above 10°C supplementary heating electric or gas heating will be provided.

• Before electric or gas appliances are used a through risk assessment will be performed considering fire, burns and potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.

• Only heaters approved for indoor use shall be used.

 

(1.6) Damage to buildings:

• In extreme weather the dogs shall be restricted to indoors only.

• In the event that the house is damaged (e.g. falling trees, roofs missing significant tiles or flat roof come away) arrangements to board dogs in nearby Licensed boarding establishments will be made

• If there is no longer sufficient suitable safe accommodation at HTT Boarding Efforts should be made to capture any dogs that have escaped, but only if safe for the staff to do so.

 

(1.7) Loss of Water

• If the event that there is a loss of water the utility company will be contacted to determine how long HTT Boarding will remain without water.

• If it is to be no longer than 24 hours, then sufficient water bottles will be purchased from a local shop to ensure the dogs are supplied with fresh drinking water.

• Sufficient water for handwashing and spot cleaning should also be purchased. (Note sanitiser is not a suitable alternative to handwashing but can help to reduce the bacteria and viral loading on a person’s clean hands).

• If the premises are to be without water for longer than 24 hours then it becomes difficult to deep clean, use washing machines and maintain hygiene standards. In this case dogs will be placed with other Licensed Dog Boarding premises until the water supply is re-established.

• When the water supply is re-established then the premises will be deep cleaned.

 

Ill Health -

• No animal suffering from, or suspected to be suffering from, any infectious or contagious disease can be accepted.  HTT Boarding will refuse admission to any animal showing signs of ill health pending advice from a Vet.

• Daily observations are made to check if any dogs are showing signs of illness.

• Should an animal in our care show signs of suffering from an infectious or contagious disease they will be immediately transferred to the isolation facilities or our Vet (white cross vets) who provide isolation facilities.

• The dog will be treated according to the agreements in the consent form.

• The home and vehicles are cleaned according to the cleaning regime

 

Veterinary Interventions

If HTT Boarding believes the dog requires treatment by a vet, we will first -

• Try to contact the owners, except in emergencies.

• HTT Boarding will always endeavour to take the dog to its usual vet, but if that is not possible it will be taken to White Cross Vet’s or another local vets if that’s not possible.

• If expensive treatments and investigations are required HTT Boarding will again try to make contact with dogs’ owner.

• If the owner cannot be contacted HTT Boarding will take advice from the Vet and make the decisions based on the health and welfare of the dog.

• If euthanasia is recommended, on humane grounds by the Vet, HTT Boarding will try to contact the owner however HTT Boarding will not unnecessarily prolong the suffering of dog.

 

Alternative enrichment plan –

Enrichment activities are essential for a dog’s mental wellbeing. Daily enrichment for dogs will be

undertaken which is tailored the individual dog’s needs. This includes;

• Human interactions such as ‘play time’ or grooming activities

• Interactions with other dogs

• Two 20 minutes walks per day (as a minimum!)

• Opportunity to spend time the garden

• Puzzle feeders

• Access to a variety of dog toys

 

 Procedures to follow in the case of the suspension or revocation of a licence -

• If the License is suspended or revoked by the Licensing Authority, then HTT Boarding is no longer allowed to board dogs.

• Arrangements will be made to place any dogs in local licensed dog boarding establishments within 24 hours.

• Tameside City Council will be informed when all dogs have been placed.

• All dog owners will be informed of the name, address and contact details of the dog boarding establishment that is now caring for their dog.

• In the unlikely event that the dog is unable to be placed with a licensed animal boarding establishment, the local proxy will be contacted to care for the animal.