Preventing the Spread of Infection
An animal entering a boarding kennels must be accompanied by an
up to date inoculation certificate. Dogs must be inoculated
against Canine Distemper, Infectious Canine Hepatitis (Canine
adenovirus), Leptospirosis (L.canicola and L.icterohaemorrhagiae)
and Canine Parvovirus and other relevant diseases.
Cats must be inoculated against Infectious Feline Enteritis,
feline respiratory disease and other relevant diseases.
A register must be kept of all incoming and outgoing animals,
giving such information as dates of arrival and departure, name,
address and telephone number of the owner, details of any ongoing
veterinary treatment, peculiarities of feeding etc. Do not
forget to keep the name, address and telephone number of your own
veterinary surgeon handy. Thorough cleansing and disinfection
of accommodation on a regular basis is absolutely essential both to
protect the occupant from disease or parasites and to prevent the
build up of disease producing organisms. Disinfectants
containing phenol must not be used. If in doubt use a weak
solution of bleach as this will control most parasites, or consult
your veterinary surgeon.
Isolation facilities should be provided separate to the main
accommodation not only for suspect animals but also to use as a
treatment room for fleas, etc. In the case of larger
establishments they can also be used as an overnight quarantine for
new arrivals. Kennel owners should be prepared to use the
isolation facilities at the slightest indication that all is not
well. Better safe than sorry! Cats must be provided
with anti-sneeze barriers between their runs to a minimum height of
1.2 metres (four ft) or a gap of at least 0.6 metres between the
runs.
It is important to consider the potential problems of noise and
odour nuisance. It is important to design and site kennels to
prevent any cause for complaint from neighbours. The choice
of appropriate materials, and their correct use in design, in terms
of preventing noise (and odour) nuisance is extremely
important.
Facilities must be provided for the collection of all used
bedding and other waste materials, which must be disposed of in a
manner approved by the local authority, and in a way not likely to
cause harm or nuisance. Advice must be sought from the
Environment Agency or local authority concerning the removal of
waste such as faeces and soiled material. Those wishing
to dispose of waste on their premises or operate an incinerator
must also seek advice from the local authority and/or the
Environment Agency.
This webpage was updated on
4/30/2008