Kennel Operation

Proper management and good sanitation procedures as well as maintaining a preventive health program for dogs are key factors for the efficient operation of any kennel. Written procedures describing kennel programs should be available to personnel. An accurate record-keeping system should be used to maintain necessary information about dogs. You and your veterinarian should establish appropriate vaccination and scheduled worming programs for the dogs. In a boarding kennel, a record of up-to-date vaccinations should be required for each dog. Careful attention to kennel management and sanitation programs will help ensure a successful kennel operation.

General Operation

Good management, including accurate record keeping, preventative medical, parasite and rodent control programs and proper sanitation is essential for a successful kennel operation.

Record Keeping and Accounting

The primary purpose of any record system is to correctly record needed information in the simplest form possible. Registration forms or information cards for a breeding kennel should contain:

• Dog's age
• Dog's ancestry
• Registration or identification number
• Breeding and whelping dates - health and/or dietary information

For boarding, the dog's age, health and/or dietary information, the owner's address and phone number and the veterinarian's phone number should be recorded.

Accounting procedures used in commercial kennels can be quite diverse because of the different types and sizes of operations. Some records of small kennels can be kept on a large calendar, whereas larger kennels need more detailed records and accounting procedures. For large kennels, a certified public accountant (CPA) should be consulted to ensure that proper business records are kept. All accounting records should meet the minimum requirements of the Internal Revenue Service.

Accurate health information should be maintained for kennel populations including a record of:

• Vaccinations
• Physical examinations
• Routine parasite checks
• Treatments and other health information for each dog

Some method of permanent identification (such as a tattoo) is recommended and is used by many individual dog owners and organizations. Thousands of dogs have been either ear or flank tattooed at the Purina Pet Care Centers to ensure accurate identification and record keeping.

Computerized Management Systems

Computerized records can be used in breeding operations to keep management up-to-date and to quickly identify problems to be addressed or work to be done. These reports can be obtained when desired. Some of the records that can be kept by computer include:

• Pedigrees
• Registrations
• Identification numbers
• Whelping information
• Health records for each animal
• A running or cumulative inventory of the kennel: pups born, pups due, purchase and sale of animals in numbers and in dollars

In a boarding operation, computer records can include:

• Feeding and medication lists for each animal
• Grooming information for the individual animal
• Daily inventory of how many animals are in the kennel and available space (this information is useful when comparing boarding income trends from one year to the next or space availability)
• Inventory of pet supplies to help establish proper ordering levels

Having individual animal's records on computer enables the manager to provide fast service from the reservation to check-in and checkout.

In choosing a computer system for a kennel operation, take advantage of existing software packages that will meet your needs. This will be less expensive than specially-programmed packages.

Properly kept records (by hand or computer) depend upon interested personnel who carry out the day-to-day operations. The kennel owner or manager should prepare a description of daily animal care and maintenance procedures. Developing kennel worksheets that describe various tasks and schedules will help kennel personnel accomplish their respective assignments more efficiently.

Parasite Control

To prevent the spread of parasitic infections in kennels, measures include strict sanitation procedures coupled with preventive and control measures for internal parasites.

Internal Parasite Control

Your veterinarian will probably suggest that your dogs be checked and treated (if necessary) for internal parasites at least as often as they are vaccinated. Work with your veterinarian to develop a program for routinely checking your dog's fecal samples for parasites.

A preventive program for heartworm on a year-round basis in milder climates or during the mosquito season is essential. However, a veterinarian must check dogs to be certain they are free of heartworm before a preventive program can begin.

To help puppies get their best possible start, treat the dam for internal parasites before she is bred. Despite this precaution, roundworms and hookworms may pass through the placenta of the bitch to the developing pups, so puppies should be checked for parasites as soon as possible.

Dogs of all ages should be checked and treated, if necessary, for internal parasites. This should include checks for roundworms, hookworms, tapeworms, whipworms and other species. Roundworms and hookworms can be transmitted from the pregnant bitch to developing puppies, which may then be infested at birth. For this reason, a worming program for breeding females is recommended.

Your veterinarian can develop a program for checking fecal samples on a regular basis and for proper treatment of dogs with internal parasites.

External Parasite Control

There are different types of mange mites and each can cause serious infections if not treated promptly. Typically, mange begins as a red or crusty patch on the skin, which can spread rapidly. It is important to consult a veterinarian as soon as possible for proper identification and treatment.

Kennels and kennel runs that are unsanitary or in poor repair give dogs a greater chance of reinfestation because cracks and dirt buildup can harbor parasites' eggs. Good sanitation is also essential in the control of external parasites. Many commercial preparations are effective in controlling fleas, ticks and lice. A veterinarian should be consulted if they persist.

An effective cleaning system adheres to the following procedure: withdrawal of dogs from the kennels to be cleaned, removal of all solid debris followed by a detergent application, thorough rinse, disinfectant application, thorough rinse (as appropriate), drying and replacing the dogs. A portable power sprayer cleans larger kennel facilities rapidly and efficiently.

The use of chemical agents to control external parasites such as fleas, ticks and lice, as well as proper treatment of the kennel areas, will help provide effective external parasite control. Consult your veterinarian for specific treatments and products for controlling external parasites. Make certain when using medications with dogs that the instructions are read and followed.

Personnel

Kennel personnel are an important part of any successful operation and should be properly selected and motivated. Good working relationships are essential. Look for individuals who are good observers, care about the comfort of animals and are willing to accept responsibility. Keep your employees interested in their jobs by encouraging active participation in planning as well as accomplishing the necessary tasks involved in your kennel. When a number of kennel positions exist, job descriptions should be available so employees know what is expected of them. Written sanitation, maintenance, care and feeding instructions should be available for kennel employees.

Evaluation of employee work performance should be done at regular intervals. Self-evaluations by employees can also be helpful. Job goals and objectives set within a reasonable time frame often provide the best methods of evaluation.

Preventive Medicine Program

The importance of establishing a preventive medicine program for any size kennel facility cannot be overemphasized. As the concentration of animals increases, so does the potential for spreading organisms from dog to dog in the population. Dogs who have the genetic background for normal growth and development, are provided good care, and receive a complete and balanced diet will normally fulfill their genetic potential. However, if the conditions under which dogs are housed are unsanitary or if a preventive medicine program is not in effect, dog health, performance and condition can be adversely affected.

In large facilities, animal handling should be on an age-priority basis. Those with greater susceptibility to infection should be handled first. Begin with the youngest and progress successively through older animals. Dogs returning from a show or ill animals should be isolated for a period of time, if possible, before being returned to the main kennel.

The kennel owner or manager should work with a veterinarian to establish an appropriate health program designed to meet the needs of a particular kennel. This includes vaccination, internal parasite and external parasite control programs.

General Procedures

Food and water bowls should be washed daily in a detergent solution, rinsed in a disinfectant and allowed to dry before being put to use again. Using good disinfectants according to directions not only helps kill disease-causing organisms, but also aids in reducing kennel odor.

If gravel is used in outside runs, droppings should be removed daily. If there are a large number of dogs in a small area, droppings should be picked up and disposed of several times a day. As gravel becomes dirty, it should be removed and fresh gravel added. Since dogs kept on gravel runs tend to dig or work the gravel in such a way that depressions are formed, the gravel should be raked smooth regularly.

If outside runs are made of concrete, they should be hosed daily to remove the droppings. In freezing weather when washing runs is not feasible, droppings should be removed with scrapers. In addition to daily washing, all outside runs should be pressure-cleaned and disinfected regularly, weather permitting.

All doors and windows in a kennel area should be screened, if possible, to prevent entry of flies, mosquitoes and other insects. Insecticides may be sprayed and fly baits placed in areas not accessible to dogs. Insecticides should not be sprayed onto feed pallets, feed bags or any container that holds food or water.

Prompt removal of trash, reducing the number of entryways and keeping kennel areas clean will aid in controlling rodent populations. Rodent bait may be used if dogs cannot get to the bait or eat rodents that may have consumed the poisonous material. Rodent traps rather than bait are often the best method of rodent control in kennel areas.

Rodent Control

Rats are persistent and destructive gnawers and are capable of gnawing through crumbling cement. Rats and mice are a constant threat to kennel sanitation through the spread of disease, filth and parasites. Regular inspection of kennels and repair of any structural flaws are needed to help keep kennels rodent-proof.

Cracks and openings in building foundations should be sealed. Windows and vents can be protected with screening, hardware cloth or expanded metal with openings no more than 1/4 inch square to help keep out rodents. Doors, windows and screens should fit securely with the edges protected with metal flashing. Metal guards over or around pipes and wires leading into buildings will also help.

Because rodents thrive in cluttered areas, good housekeeping is essential. In addition to eliminating all clutter, remember that food, from storage to spillage, can attract both rodents and insects.

For rodent and insect control it is important to:

• Store unopened bags of food off the floor and away from walls on metal or wooden pallets
• Keep food from opened bags in metal or plastic garbage cans with tight fitting lids and, if possible, keep them raised off the ground
• Place tight fitting lids on garbage cans and keep them raised off the ground to allow for quick detection of rodents in the area, easy cleaning and to increase the efficiency of traps and baits

Do not allow uneaten food to remain in the dogs' bowls any longer than necessary and clean up spilled food as soon as possible. Wash food and water bowls every day, rinse them and let them dry before they are used again. Rodenticides and pesticides should be used with great care and kept away from dogs at all times. Label directions should always be followed.

In placing traps and baits, keep in mind that rats and mice tend to use regular paths, especially along the walls or under stacks of materials. They will remain under or behind things as much as possible. The farther away from walls the bait is placed, the less likely it will be visited.

Three types of containers for rodent bait are available:

• Bait trays accommodate dry, wet or liquid bait, but they provide no protection to the bait. They should be used only inside or in areas not generally accessible to people or animals.
• Covered bait stations protect the bait from the elements, but they do not provide safeguards to protect children or animals.
• Safety bait stations have a cover that not only protects the bait, but also prevents ready access by children or animals and can be secured to prevent tampering.

All bait containers or stations and unused baits should be clearly labeled with appropriate warnings. Keep all baits out of the reach of children and inaccessible to dogs.

Traps should be set in rat runways where there is no danger of contaminating food products. It may be necessary to place boxes or other obstructions to create a runway, forcing rats to cross the traps. To bait for mice, place large numbers of smaller baits since mice usually do not travel very far for food.

Killing adult flies reduces infestation, but elimination of fly-breeding areas and good sanitation is necessary for effective control. To be effective, pesticides must be thoroughly applied in crevices, baseboards, doorway and window casings.

A rodent and insect control program should be thoroughly reviewed and understood by new kennel employees. Regular inspections will help ensure that employees are adhering to this schedule. Once a sanitation program is established, it should be strictly followed.

Because rats and mice live in or near food material, proper food storage is essential. A dry, cool area is less hospitable to insects and is preferred. Periodically the food storage area should be emptied and cleaned thoroughly.

Safety Precautions

Use pesticides with caution. Always follow label directions. When spraying the walls or floors of feed rooms, do not spray directly on feed pallets, feed bags or any container that holds food for the dogs.

Pesticides should be stored in their original labeled containers in a dry, cool area away from direct sunlight. If an original insecticide container is damaged, transfer the contents to another container with an identical label.

All pesticides and rodenticides should be handled as poisons. Do not permit them to get into food, food preparation or storage areas, and avoid breathing dust or vapors that can be absorbed into the respiratory tract. Wearing a respirator may be necessary.

Kennel personnel should be trained in the proper use of rodenticides and pesticides. Some pesticides can be absorbed through the skin and may cause toxic effects. When such pesticides are used, contaminated clothing should be removed as soon as possible and exposed skin washed thoroughly with soap and water. Contaminated clothing should be laundered before being worn again.

Vaccination Program

It is recommended that growing puppies as well as mature dogs be vaccinated for distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and rabies on a regular basis as determined by a veterinarian. Vaccinations will vary, depending upon the age of the dogs, level of activity, and other factors. Boarding kennels should require proof that proper vaccinations have been given to dogs prior to their being boarded.

Vaccination schedules for brood bitches should be carefully followed, because pups receive immunity to certain health conditions from bitches' milk if the dams have been properly vaccinated.