Pet Boarding Code Of Practice

The minimal levels of care that are necessary to be provided for dogs and cats staying in boarding establishments are outlined in the code of practice for the operation of boarding establishments. The purpose of this code is to define the basic requirements of accommodation, management, and care that are suitable to the physical and behavioral needs of dogs and cats that are accommodated in boarding establishments. These needs can be broken down into three categories: housing, management, and care.

The owners and operators of boarding establishments, sometimes known as "the proprietor," as well as the employees who work in those businesses are required to comply with the provisions of the Code. All boarding homes are required to behave legally and obtain the necessary permits required by state and local governments.

The Domestic (Feral and Nuisance) Animals Act and Regulations stipulate that hazardous, restricted breed, or menacing dogs that are boarded must be kept in compliance with the criteria of the act.

Admission requirements

Every animal that enters a boarding facility is required to have some kind of identification attached to it, and the facility is obligated to fulfil any reasonable special requests made by the animal's owner or the attending veterinarian, including the following:

• the process of administering drugs
• feeding of customised diets
• bathing
• grooming

Puppies between the ages of 10 and 16 weeks can be accepted into day boarding facilities as long as they have gotten their initial vaccine at least 8 days before to admission and are completing the vaccination schedule that is suggested. The owners of these puppies are required to be given information on the likelihood of the pup getting a sickness and are required to offer their written agreement or acknowledgement of the dangers associated with the disease.

When they are housed with other puppies or dogs, puppies between the ages of 10 and 20 weeks old who are staying at day boarding facilities are required to have both visual and physical supervision at all times.

A dog or cat must be at least four months old in order to be boarded overnight, and a cat must be at least three months old. Exceptions can be made only in particular circumstances.

Staff

The owner of a pet boarding facility is the person who is ultimately responsible for the management and operation of the business, as well as the health and safety of the animals that are housed there. The manager or other individual in charge of the animals is responsible for ensuring that they have the necessary experience and training in animal care.

The owner is primarily accountable for: 

• assuring the unique identification of each animal 
• health and safety of all animals in the workplace 
• the management of employees 
• keeping track of and compiling data and statistics 
• regular inspection and medication of each and every animal under your charge's care

Vets

The owner of the business must have a documented agreement with enough veterinarians so that they may treat animals as needed and put them down humanely when a barbiturate overdose is administered.

Attendants

The owner is responsible for making sure that the animal attendants working at the boarding facility are sufficiently qualified and experienced to handle the kind of animals being boarded.

The following are responsibilities of animal attendants to the business owner: 

• overnight boarding animals and day boarding animals that require daily food 
• all animals are inspected and their water is checked 
• Clean facilities on a daily basis. Hose down, replenish bedding and litter trays. Refill water bowls for animals. 
• Animals exhibiting symptoms should be reported to the appropriate authorities.

Security

• To prevent unlawful access to kennels and catteries, they must be able to be locked.
• An animal-proof closing device must be installed in each kennel, module and colony pen.
• In the event of an emergency, all security measures must allow animals and personnel easy entrance and departure.
• All boarding businesses should have an external security perimeter in order to keep animals from escaping the premises.
• A facility's external walls can act as a perimeter fence if they are able to contain an animal that has escaped from its pen or cage.
• Between the animal and the escape, there must be at least two gates.
• Facilities must be designed and constructed in such a way that their safety is guaranteed.
• Pets in boarding facilities should be protected from harm and have their specific behavioural needs handled, as well as their physical safety and well-being ensured.

Facilities

Every animal boarding facility is required to provide a reception space, a place to store records, as well as facilities for staff members to wash their hands and use the restroom.

Boarding facilities need to be built, constructed, serviced, and maintained in a way that not only protects the health and well-being of the animals housed there but also reduces the risk of injury to people and prevents animals from escaping or attacking them.

It is necessary for housing to offer shelter from the elements (including wind, rain, sun, and climatic extremes), vermin, and abuse from other animals.

Fire extinguishers and other forms of fire prevention are required to be present in all facilities.

There you have it! Next time you leave your furry friend in a dog kennel, cattery or a pet boarding establishment, make sure the place meets the above mentioned standards. This will not only ensure your peace of mind but your pet will be in safe hands too.