Hey, y’all. I haven’t gotten any concerned texts yet, but I want to be proactive and make sure that I am assuring the people and dogs who depend on me that I am doing everything I can to keep everyone safe.
If you have not heard about this, please read more information here:
https://sheltermedicine.vetmed.ufl.edu/2023/11/27/mysterious-respiratory-disease/
We still don’t know a lot about this disease. Some dogs are completely fine, others develop fatal pneumonia. I am avoiding rumors and hearsay, and sticking to what’s known. Unfortunately, that’s not much right now.
Safety is, and always will be, my number one priority. I have never had a single canine illness spread through my home, and I plan to keep it that way. I am extremely cautious about exposure and take zero risks. I thought this might be a good time to share my cleaning and sanitation procedures, so that the people entrusting their dogs to me this holiday season can feel assured that I am doing, and always have done, my very best to ensure that disease does not spread.
Every dog is given their own kennel, their own blanket, and their own food and water dish. Blankets are changed every three days minimum, or more often as necessitated by shedding, wet paws, spilled food, mess from treats or chews, or other dirt. Bowls are washed by hand, then sanitized in the dishwasher, as well. While previously, I had a communal water bowl in the kitchen that is washed and refilled between drinks, this has been retired in an abundance of caution.
Between each dog’s stay, the kennels are all (even ones that were not used!) wiped down with Lysol sanitizing wipes, and then cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner (Nature’s Miracle, generally). All blankets are washed, dried, and returned to a closed cabinet that is inaccessible to dogs. The floor is cleaned with a bleach solution, then mopped again with clean water and dried. All towels and equipment are sanitized and stored. If there is overlap between dogs arriving and being picked up and I cannot use the bleach solution, I use a vinegar solution, followed with a steam mop and a clean water mop. The walls are also washed with either the bleach or vinegar solution, as appropriate. The floor is vinyl, and very easy to sanitize.
The first Tuesday of every month is designated for deep-cleaning and bathing. All kennels are hosed down with a high-pressure wash, bleached, rinsed, sprayed with enzymatic cleaner, rinsed, and allowed to dry before being rinsed one last time. The floors and walls are cleaned with a bleach solution, rinsed twice, and dried. My personal dogs are bathed and de-shedded, and their gear is washed and dried. They are always kept up to date on their vaccines, as well as year-round flea, tick, and heartworm prevention.
All food is kept separate. Toys are washed on the sanitize cycle regularly. I have HEPA filters running 24/7. I truly do all I can to ensure that all dogs that rely on me to keep them healthy, are kept healthy, be they residents or guests. My own service dog will be remaining at home as much as possible, to further limit her exposure.
Any dogs showing symptoms of contagious illness at drop-off must, unfortunately, immediately return home with their owner. I cannot accept symptomatic dogs into my home, for the safety of my own dogs and the safety of the dogs entrusted to my care. Please be honest and responsible; we should have all learned a lot about social responsibility from the covid-19 pandemic, and the importance of looking out for others and their loved ones. This extends to pets and service dogs, as both are part of our community and our families.
For private lessons, I will also be maintaining caution. My boots always come off at the door, and weather permitting, will remain outside. I always use hand sanitizer between lessons, and use small baggies of treats instead of a large treat pouch. Uneaten or rejected treats get put into a separate pocket, so they don’t get given to another dog on accident or worse, thrown back into the treat bag to spread saliva onto other treats.
Safety is important no matter what, but especially when we’re facing an outbreak that clearly spreads easily and puts our most vulnerable dogs at risk. Thank you for understanding, and for respecting that safety must be a priority. Even if your dog is not staying with me over the holidays this year, I strongly encourage avoiding large-scale boarding facilities, dog parks, and pet friendly indoor spaces like stores and malls. I assure you, your dog does NOT need to be out and about. Please, have care for each other. Life is stressful enough, we can all make it a little easier by looking out for one another, and taking steps to ensure that we are all kept safe and healthy.
All the love to all of you,
– Quinn, Matt, Mishi, and Rivet