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Dog Safety - Animal Shelter Safety
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Making the decision to adopt a pet from an animal shelter or to offer your services as a
volunteer is perhaps one of the most rewarding things you could decide to do. However,
it is worthwhile keeping somesafety tips in mind to ensure that your time at the shelter is
an enjoyable one.


Visitors
  • Always report to Reception first - do not go wandering around the shelter
    unauthorised. There may be areas which contain animals in quarantine and you
    may inadvertently transfer infection throughout the shelter. Certain animals may
    be contained while they are being assessed for behavioural problems and they
    may react aggressively to a stranger's presence. There may also be hazardous
    chemicals or equipment which could be a danger to someone not trained to
    handle them.

  • Leave your own pets at home - the noisy and often stressful environment at most
    animal shelters will be disturbing to your existing pets and may cause them to
    misbehave. There is also the risk of infection again as you have no idea what the
    animals arriving at the shelter may be carrying in terms of disease.
    * In certain instances, you may be requested to bring your existing dog (eg, if you
    are rehoming another dog and it is important to check that they can get along) -
    in this case, follow the shelter's instructions carefully.

  • Always wash your hands before visiting and after leaving the shelter. Also wash
    your hands if you are visiting different areas of the shelter and there may be a
    risk of cross-infection. Cats, for example, especially kittens, are very susceptible
    to "cat flu" which can be easily spread through third-person contact.

  • Always ask for staff advice before reaching through a cage to touch an animal.
    The strange and stressful environment of the shelter can cause even the most
    gentle-natured dog or cat to lash out in fear and a hand coming through the bars
    can be very threatening to a frightened animal. The restrictive space also means
    that you cannot withdraw your hand quickly enough if the animal strikes.

  • Do not open any cage or run doors unless authorised to do so by staff - an
    escaped animal could cause havoc in a shelter.

  • Do not enter any cage or run unless authorised by staff - the animals could feel
    threatened and attack you.

  • Find out all you can from the staff about an animal's background before "meeting"
    an animal - for example, a cat may dislike being touched on a certain part of its
    body or a dog may be particularly protective when it has certain food items or
    toys.

  • Move slowly and gently when handling small animals such as rabbits and other
    rodents - sudden, quick movements can frighten them into kicking, biting or
    clawing to escape.

Volunteers

  • If you are unsure, ask! Don't be embarrassed - the supervising staff would prefer
    your questions to any potential mishap. This can save a lot of mistakes, accidents
    and possible injuries.

  • Make sure you are given a tour and briefing of health and safety procedures
    before you commence your duties. Familiarize yourself with the protocol with
    regards to animal attacks, animal escapes, accidents with equipment and any
    other potential hazards.

  • Ensure that you have the training, supervision and guidance needed to enable
    you to work safely and with confidence.

  • Make sure you report any fault in equipment, no matter how minor, and also any
    accidents or "near miss" situations you might have had. Most shelters will have an
    accident book for this purpose. Many also ask that you report any injuries or
    wounds from any animal.

  • Make sure you wear personal protective equipment if the situation requires it -
    such as gloves, eye protection and ear defenders.

  • Follow the safety rules for interacting with animals - for example, avoid staring
    dogs in the eyes or looming over them; do not approach them too quickly and
    immediately try to grab or handle them around the neck and face; always move
    slowly, talking in a calm, reassuring manner.

Keeping safe is often just about using common sense and following the rules. However
irritating or exaggerated the precautions may seem, they are there for a reason and it
pays to follow them.
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