Border Collie Rescue - On Line - SOP Fostering

STANDARD OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES FOR BORDER COLLIE RESCUE FOSTER HOMES

REGULATIONS FOR FOSTERING - Section 2.

Accommodation of dogs within Rescue.

In order that we are all speaking the same language and can work to the same standards, this page sets out names and definitions of 4 accommodation classifications we use. It then defines how these classes are applied to dogs coming through. Finally it defines and lists the basic criteria that must be considered and applied when accommodating Border Collie Rescue dogs. Section 3 of BCR S.O.P. Fostering, defines the minimum standards that must be applied to each level of accommodation class to qualify it.

The practical application of each class type is based on the amount of time a dog is expected to spend, or has already spent in rescue care. The longer we keep a dog, the better the standard of the accommodation needs to be. The 4 classes are there to enable us to fit in emergencies and progress a dog through a system that can sometimes become overloaded; and to give us some flexibility to act when needed. We seek to offer all our dogs the same standard we define as Long Term Accommodation from the time they come into our care, but would not like to loose a life because we did not have the ideal holding facilities available at the time a dog needed it.

We should regard our normal holding facilities to be the same as Long Term Accommodation and to the minimum standard described for that class in section 3. We should only see the other classes as options to use if nothing better is available when required.

1) Definitions;

a) Long term accommodation is defined as any type of accommodation in which it is intended to keep a dog for a period in excess of 21 days.

b) Short Term accommodation is defined as any type of accommodation in which it is intended to keep a dog for a period in excess of 72 hrs. and up to 21 days.

c) Temporary accommodation is defined as any type of accommodation in which a dog should be kept for no longer than 72 hrs.

d). Emergency Accommodation is defined any type of accommodation in which a dog is to be kept overnight and for a period of no longer than 24 hours.

2) Application;

Long Term" a) Long Term

If a dog is thought to be likely to be held in rescue care for more than 21 days - or has already been in rescue care for 21 days - it must be accommodated to the minimum standards BCR currently describes for Long Term Accommodation in SOP Fostering Section 3. This standard is the 'norm' and should be striven for at in all cases. The only exceptions should be -

i) Medical emergencies prior to veterinary attention - for no longer than the period necessitated by the nature of the emergency..

ii) Prior to, during, or immediately following, transportation - for no longer than 24 hours in any instance (maximum 3 days) or a period advised for medical reasons.

iii) Certain cases of rehabilitation or behaviour correction for the purposes of benefiting the dog. (see rehabilitation and retraining ).

Short Term Accommodation." b) Short Term Accommodation.

Failing the availability of space meeting Long Term standards, any dog held in Rescue must be accommodated to the minimum standards BCR currently describes for Short Term Accommodation in SOP Fostering Section 3. The dog can be kept in Short Term accommodation for a period of up to 21 days and should then be upgraded into Long Term accommodation. Once a dog has been placed into Long term accommodation it should not be returned to Short Term accommodation for at least 7 weeks with the following exceptions -

i) Medical emergencies prior to veterinary attention - for no longer than the period necessitated by the nature of the emergency..

ii) Prior to, during, or immediately following, transportation - for no longer than 24 hours in any instance (maximum 3 days) or a period advised for medical reasons.

iii) Certain cases of rehabilitation or behaviour correction for the purposes of benefiting the dog. (see rehabilitation and retraining ).

Temporary Accommodation."c) Temporary Accommodation.

Failing the availability of space meeting Long Term or Short Term standards, any dog held in Rescue must be accommodated to the minimum standards BCR currently describes for Temporary Accommodation in SOP Fostering Section 3. The dog can be kept in Temporary Accommodation for up to 72 hrs. After a maximum of 72 hrs. the dog must be upgraded to Short Term Accommodation or Long Term Accommodation and should never be placed back into in Temporary Accommodation unless the following exceptions apply -

i) Veterinary advice requiring restriction of movement for recovery.

ii) Medical emergencies prior to veterinary attention - for no longer than the period necessitated by the nature of the emergency..

iii) Prior to, during, or immediately following, transportation - for no longer than 24 hours in any instance (maximum 48 hours) or a period advised for medical reasons.

iv) Cases of aggression where the public, handlers or other dogs are, or may be endangered.

v) Certain cases of rehabilitation or behaviour correction for the purposes of benefiting the dog. (see rehabilitation and retraining ).

Emergency Accommodation."d) Emergency Accommodation.

On coming into Rescue care, failing the availability of any higher standard of accommodation, a dog may be accommodated to the minimum standards BCR currently describes for Emergency Accommodation in SOP Fostering Section 3. The dog can be kept in Emergency Accommodation for no longer than overnight or a maximum of 24 hrs. At the first opportunity or within 24 hrs, the dog must be upgraded to the highest standard of accommodation that is available.

Summary"e) Summary

A dog may come into BCR care and go straight into accommodation of the standard we define as suitable for Long Term care - this is the desired method.

or -

A dog may come into BCR care and stay in Short Term accommodation for a maximum of 3 weeks (21 days) before being upgraded to Long Term standard.

or -

A dog may come into BCR care and go into Temporary Accommodation for 3 days (72 hrs) before being upgraded to Short Term standard for a further 18 days (to fit in with the maximum period of 21 days for accommodation of this standard or below), after which it must be upgraded to Long Term standard.

or -

A dog may come into BCR care as an emergency and remain in Emergency Accommodation for a maximum of 1 Day (24 hrs). The dog must then be upgraded and if nothing better is available, go into Temporary Accommodation for a further 2 days (48 hrs) - (to fit in with the maximum period of 3 days (72 hrs) for accommodation of this standard or below). The dog must then be upgraded and if nothing better is available, go into Short Term Accommodation for a further 18 days (to fit in with the maximum period of 21 days for accommodation of this standard or below). After this time we must use a standard to the level of Long Term.

All dogs are guaranteed to be in the best housing within a maximum of 21 days of release into BCR care and, at worst, to be in housing up to the standard of licensed boarding kennels within 3 days of release into our care.

Basic criteria."3) Basic criteria.

In all cases dogs must be accommodated with the following criteria in mind. The only exceptions to these criteria are subject to veterinary advice or behavioural modification advice and certain cases of temporary or emergency accommodation, which are outlined in Section 3.

a) - Light

i) The dog must receive the benefit of natural daylight between dawn and dusk but must never be placed in a situation where it is unable to move into a cool shaded area away from direct sunlight.

ii) Where artificial light is provided it must be of the incandescent type. Fluorescent and flickering light sources must be avoided.

iii) High intensity and directional lighting must also be avoided unless the dog has the freedom to move into an area that is shaded from such light.

b) - Ventilation

i) Adequate naturally circulating fresh air must be available at all times but care should be taken to ensure that there are no draughts in the dogs sleeping area. Forced air circulation systems should not be used as the main or primary ventilation method.

ii) Dogs must not be kept in rooms or accommodation units where doors and windows are permanently sealed closed.

iii) In a vehicle dogs must have ventilation at all times and must never be left in a sealed vehicle with no natural ventilation.

c) - Temperature

Dogs should not be subjected to extremes or sudden changes of temperature.

i) In outdoor unheated accommodation adequate suitable bedding must be supplied 24 hrs. a day. In heated accommodation, bedding may be reduced during the day.

ii) The optimum minimum temperature for pet dogs accommodation should be 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Working dogs that are used to lower temperatures are an exception to this rule. At the first signs any extreme of cold, heating must be provided before the dog displays any signs of distress.

iii) Dogs must never be left in cars or vehicles in warm, windless weather or direct sunshine.

iv) If a dog is accommodated in any room, unit or kennel situated in direct sunlight, it must have adequate insulation and air circulation to ensure that the internal temperature remains cool and does not rise to a level where the dog may experience distress or discomfort.

v) In the case of a dog having access to an outside run or secure area, a suitable shaded area must be provided to enable the dog to get out of the sun at all times of day.

d) - Emergency access

i) Dogs should not be accommodated in an area or room that only has one means of access or escape. There should always be an additional means of escape, either an additional door, a window or an emergency exit.

ii) If dogs are kept in locked units, the key holder should be available at all times or the key left available for emergencies with a 'sitter' on site to supervise the welfare of the dogs.

e) - Water

i) Adequate supplies of cool fresh drinking water should be available at all times. Bowls should never be empty.

ii) Drinking bowls should be cleaned daily or whenever seen to be soiled.

iii) Each dog should have its own drinking bowl which should be disinfected before use by another dog, however communal bowls may be used in addition to this but only by dogs with no clinical problems requiring isolation.

f) - Food

i) Dogs should be fed daily with adequate amounts of food on an approved diet and with an approved number of meals, selected as appropriate to the size and energy needs of the dog.

ii) Any changes of diet should be made gradually, over a period of 7 to 14 days.

iii) Dogs should only be fed on diets or brands approved by BCR.

iv) Food bowls must be of an approved material and size and should be cleaned before and after feeding. Each dog should have its own food bowl, which needs to be disinfected before use by another dog.

g) - Foreign Substances - Distractions - Pollutants - Noise

i) Care should be taken that dogs are not exposed to, or risk exposure to, pollutants and potentially poisonous substances, solvents or fumes. Irritating background noises and distractions should also be avoided.

ii) Never accommodate a dog in a room that is used for the storage of any potentially dangerous substance such as paint, turp's, petrol, weed-killer etc.

iii) Never accommodate a dog in an area where it may be subjected to continuous or loud noises.

h) - Movement

Dogs that are in restricted accommodation units such as kennels, pens, crates etc. should only be kept in conditions that are up to or greater than the following minimum requirements or according to veterinary instruction.

i) The width of the unit must allow the dog to be able to turn around easily and lie down with legs fully extended.

ii) The length of the unit must allow the dog to be able to lie down stretched out fully.

iii) The height of the unit must allow the dog to be able to stand upright with its head erect.

iv) Chains must not be used to restrict movement, however a running line may be used for short periods.

i) - Exercise

i) Unless the accommodation has a suitably sized run attached to it dogs should be taken out and exercised on a lead at least 3 times daily.

ii) If a suitably sized run is available at all times, the dog should be taken out and exercised on a lead at least twice daily.

iii) All dogs must benefit by an additional free running, self exercising session of a minimum of 30 minutes each day

iv) Exercise levels and methods will need to be programmed to meet the individual needs of each dog.

j) - Cleanliness

i) Accommodation units should be cleaned out daily, or more frequently if required, and any soiling removed.

ii) Soiled bedding should be replaced when it is discovered and the area treated with a detergent and disinfectant solution that has been classed as safe and non toxic to dogs.

iii) Strong chemicals such as bleach or preparations that contain bleach, perfumed products, strong disinfectants, caustic soda etc. should never be used. If in doubt, check with HQ or seek veterinary advice about particular products.

k) - Supervision

i) Dogs should not be left unsupervised in any sort of accommodation for any period exceeding 8 hours in any 24.

ii) In the event of a situation where dogs may need to be left by a foster carer on a regular basis, or for periods that may exceed 8 hours, a 'sitter' must be provided to supervise the welfare of the dog.

l) - Hazards

Dogs should never be placed or accommodated where they may be able to access and chew hazardous materials, electrical cables, Etc. - or in any situation where they may accidentally harm themselves.

m) - Bedding

i) Adequate bedding of an acceptable nature should be provided to enable the dog to remain comfortably warm if the surrounding temperature should drop.

ii) Seasonal variations in temperature need to be considered and the amount of bedding adjusted to suit circumstances.

Acceptable bedding materials are -

Vetbed - Woollen or Cotton blankets, Cotton sheeting, Organic filled quilting, Wool rugs, Manufactured dog beds - etc. - Newspaper - Unbleached sheet or Shredded paper - Hay/Straw.

Avoid -

Nylon / Polypropylene and most other synthetic materials and articles - Polystyrene - Wood shavings / Sawdust - Foam rubber - Synthetic filled quilting.

The above must be regarded as the minimum requirements.