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Animal Care Assistant – Cats Animal Care

Volunteer Training Manual

Thank you for choosing to be an Animal Care volunteer! This manual will help you understand the basics of volunteering with cats in the Animal Care department. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask any Animal Care staff or veteran volunteer.

Attendance and Vacations If you are unable to work your shift, please contact Volunteer Services at 720-241-7160 or volunteer@ddfl.org. This way we know that you will be out and we may be able to find another volunteer to fill your shift. If you would like to permanently change your position or the day or time of your shift, please contact the Volunteer Services Manager at volunteer@ddfl.org.

Getting Started Please wear your volunteer nametag, t-shirt and closed-toe skid resistant shoes for all shifts.

Individual hand sanitizers are in a bin on the table at the lockers. Please return the sanitizer when your shift ends.

Clock in at the time clock for every shift.

Please check in at the Animal Care supervisor’s office. Once you clock in, continue down the hallway and make a left at the end. Go through the door and the supervisor’s office will be on the left across from the RL room doors.

The bulletin board just north of the office has information about Animal Care staff members working in specific areas. Information for volunteers, including new procedures, will be posted on the bulletin board or included in the volunteer binder.

Please do not attempt any of these processes or techniques until you have been trained by a League staff member or volunteer trainer.

Safety & Equipment All the supplies you will need are located in the cattery rooms. If you need additional supplies please see an Animal Care staff member. Cleaning Chemicals Verify what cleaning chemicals are currently being used. Sometimes these change, so you can find this on the Animal Care information board or in the volunteer binder. Rescue is used to clean and sterilize all kennels. It is also used to clean the floors.

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TET Glass Cleaner is used on windows and doors. Slips, Trips, Falls, and Cat Bites If one of these occurs, notify the Animal Care supervisor on duty immediately. Fill out an incident report. Due to the high risk of infection for cat bites, we strongly recommend you follow up with your regular doctor after a bite. Signage Watch for and read all signage on kennel before opening the kennel interacting with the cat When to Notify Staff You can find staff in their offices or use the telephone paging system to locate a staff member.

1. The cat appears sick and needs to be moved to TLC 2. The cat has diarrhea 3. The cat is sneezing with eye or nasal discharge 4. The cat appears stressed, not eating or using litterbox 5. The cat is showing signs of aggression 6. Any situation you are unsure about.

Moving a Cat from its Kennel Approaching the Cat

Get the cat’s attention before opening the gate by talking calmly and softly. Avoid using the “S” sound.

Open the gate slowly and do not block the opening with your body.

Allow the cat to come to you.

Give the cat the opportunity to check out your fingers before you pick it up.

Don’t rush. Rushing will raise the cat’s anxiety level and make it less likely to accept handling and more likely to become fearful or aggressive.

If the cat doesn’t seem to want to be handled, ask a staff member to help you. The Football Hold (only remove cat if absolutely necessary)

Control the cat’s head and neck before you lift it from the cage. o The cat will feel safer in a firmly held position - left hand controlling the head

and neck, right elbow supporting and gripping the hindquarters, and right hand controlling the front feet.

Always control the cat’s neck and head.

The cat will usually feel calmer if you grasp the scruff of its neck with your free hand.

Supporting the cat’s weight solely by the scruff of the neck is unacceptable.

Try to keep the cat’s face away from other cats. Some cats are cat-reactive. Putting the Cat in a Carrier If you are transporting the cat out of the room where it is kenneled, always use a carrier. League cat carriers open from the top, like a picnic basket. Always take a used carrier to cage wash to be cleaned.

Load the cat into the carrier head first. If the cat resists, try putting them in rear first.

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Support the back end and rear legs with one hand and the front paws with the other hand. Set the cat’s rear into the carrier and close the lid quickly.

Do not leave the cat in a carrier unattended.

Cleaning Cat Kennels Always work with healthy cats before working with sick cats. Do not return to healthy cats after working with sick cats. Wash and sanitize your hands between each cat you handle. Cleaning the Cattery The different rooms of cat kennels are referred to as Ward I and II. Before entering a room, check the door for any signage that may indicate any contagion concerns in that area. Before cleaning a kennel, always check the clipboard on the kennel gate to see if there are special notes about the cat. When cleaning cat kennels, move slowly and carefully and try not to remove or disturb the cats. Never block the gate opening with your body. If you are unable to clean the kennel with the cat inside, place the cat in a clean carrier. Do not allow cats to wander loose in the Cattery. Daily Cleaning an Occupied Kennel – Use bucket filled with Rescue 2oz/gal NOTE: Try NOT to remove the cat if possible, but instead clean around it. This is to keep the disturbance of the cat to a minimum and keep its scent around to help it feel more secure. You should re-use bedding, dishes and litter pans as much as possible. If the cat is fearful, hissy or aggressive in any manner, use a shield and gloves to clean around the cat. If the cat has a blue hide box, seal the cat in the box using the cat grabbers by putting the grabbers through bars and shutting the lid. If the cat is not in the box, use a shield to maneuver it in the box or get a supervisor to help you.

1. Note any feces or urine and record on feed sheet. Also note on feed sheet: a. If cat ate. b. If cat vomited. c. If placing on a tech check. d. Initial feed sheet.

2. Remove litter box and pour dirty litter into trash.

a. Spray litter pan with Rescue and wipe out. b. If litter pan is heavily soiled, let litter pan soak in soap and water until able to

remove the debris. c. If it is a disposable litter tray that is heavily soiled, replace with a new litterbox.

3. Remove food and water cups that are too soiled for re-use and place in trash bag.

4. Remove any laundry or toys that are too soiled for re-use and place in separate trash

bag.

5. Using paper towel and dust pan, sweep litter and other debris directly into dust pan and throw in trash, do not sweep litter onto floor below.

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6. Spray paper towel with Rescue and wipe soiled areas or use a bucket filled with Rescue and clean wash rags:

a. Do not spray Rescue directly on kennel surface if cat is in kennel. b. Scrub glass to remove any built up mucus or debris. c. Using dry paper towel, wipe cleaned areas dry.

7. If towel and toys are clean enough for re-use, shake any litter or debris into trash bag

and replace towel and toy in kennel at the front near the glass.

8. Place food and water bowl underneath or on top of the shelf. Do not place ceramic bowls on shelves.

9. Place litter pan directly across from food and water bowls, not under the shelf.

10. Wipe down the inside and outside of the kennel door removing any debris or cat hair.

11. Change gloves before touching any “clean” items or moving on to the next kennel.

12. Wash your hands with soap and water at the nearest sink before leaving the room and

moving on to the next room. Sanitizing an Empty Kennel- Use Rescue spray bottle 4oz/gal

1. Remove the gates from the kennel. a. Spray the gates with Rescue and scrub off foreign matter. b. Wipe off Rescue c. Spray kennel gates again with Rescue and let sit for 10 minutes. d. Wipe down with dry paper towel.

2. Dust foreign particles out of the kennel with a paper towel into a trash can or soiled

litter box, not onto the floor.

3. Throw away any disposable food dishes or litter boxes.

4. Wash ceramic or metal litter boxes and dishes with dish soap and bring to the dish washer for cleaning.

5. Spray the walls, shelves, and gates with Rescue.

a. Scrub all surfaces to remove any black buildup or foreign matter and wipe out. b. Spray the kennel with Rescue and let sit for 10 minutes. c. Wipe out and then use a dry paper towel to wipe dry.

6. Place kennel gate back on kennel.

7. Change the UNSTERILE sign over to STERILE.

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Spot Cleaning a Kennel If the cat is fearful, hissy or aggressive in any manner, use a shield and gloves to clean around the cat. If the cat has a blue hide box, seal the cat in the box using the cat grabbers by putting the grabbers through bars and shutting the lid. If the cat is not in the box, use a shield to maneuver it in the box or get a supervisor to help you.

1. If the cat has soiled its box a. Remove the litter box and pour into trash bag. b. Wipe out any excess debris and refill with new litter.

2. Dust foreign particles out of the kennel with a paper towel into a trash can or soiled

litter box, not onto the floor. a. If there is a small amount of foreign matter on the floor or walls, use Rescue on a

paper towel to scrub it off.

3. Clean window by spraying Rescue on a paper towel and wiping the window down. Make sure there are no streaks or spots.

4. If there is litter or any other substance in the bowls, dump the food and water, wipe out

the bowl and refill. If the bowls are clean, just replenish them.

5. Refold bedding to clean side and continue using it or replace it if there is not clean surface.

6. Spritz the cat’s bedding with one spray of Feliway and give the cat an appropriate toy or

stuffed animal. a. This is especially important for cats displaying signs of fear, stress or depression. b. For more information you may reference the Kitty Comfort requests SOP.

Finishing After morning cleaning is complete:

Wipe down the cart with Rescue and paper towels.

Stock the cart according to the equipment list.

Stock the cabinet according to the equipment list and organize.

Stock rooms according to the equipment list.

Take out the trash to the compactor and replace trash bag.

Take dirty laundry to the laundry room.

Sweep and mop the floor.

Wash dishes and litter boxes and bring items to the dish washer as needed.

Cleaning the Colonies Each colony room in the healthy area is emptied and deep cleaned thoroughly once a week. TLC colonies can be on either side of the cattery so be sure to read all signage before entering a colony room.

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Supplies you will need: poop scoop doodlebug squeegee broom hose Rescue Kennel foamer filled with Rescue Concentrate- 2oz/gal or 4oz/gal paper towels glass cleaner trash bags mop mop bucket note pad and pen for recording No Eats Shifting Animals

1. Move cats from the colony to the nearest patron visiting room. 2. Once colony is cleaned move cats back and wipe down visiting room.

Daily cleaning of an occupied colony- Use blue top Rescue foamer- 2oz/gal

1. Clean room with cats present. 2. Remove all bowls, toys, and laundry and place laundry in trash bag in walk way. Place dishes

in appropriate prep sink and place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash. 3. Empty litter pans and replace with clean litter. 4. Sweep floor. 5. Mop floor using Rescue cleaner 2oz/gal. 6. Wipe down windows and walls using Rescue cleaner. 7. Wipe down all furniture using Rescue cleaner. 8. Replace food and water in clean bowls.

Cleaning an empty colony- Use red top Rescue foamer- 4oz/gal

1. Remove cats from the room per shifting steps. 2. Remove all bowls, litter pans, toys, and laundry and place laundry in trash bag in walk way,

place dishes in appropriate prep sink and place any paper trays or pieces thereof in trash. 3. Using a hose, spray urine down drain. With a paper towel, remove any hair, food, debris

that collects on brass drain cover. 4. Avoid spraying water into walkway. 5. Using Rescue kennel foamer, spray entire kennel, halfway up, including glass, walls, and

bench. a. Do not spray door lock mechanism or pictures. b. Clean back side of door with Rescue and paper towels.

6. Using doodlebug, scrub the walls, floor, and bench, removing any brown oil, paw prints, grime, or foreign matter.

7. Let sit for 10 minutes. 8. Rinse kennel thoroughly with water. 9. Dry furniture with rags. 10. Place clean litter pans and empty clean bowls upside down in colony. 11. Add clean laundry to the furniture. 12. Flip unsterile/sterile sign to STERILE.

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Finishing 1. Mop walkway with Rescue cleaner. 2. Wash all toys and dishes in prep area. 3. Take laundry to laundry room. 4. Take trash to trash compactor. 5. Record No Eats in Chameleon

Spot Cleaning the Colonies Follow the instructions below for spot cleaning these rooms:

Remove and replace soiled towels and rugs.

Shake out other bedding and refold to cleanest side out.

Scoop the litter boxes clean. Add litter if needed (do not replace all the litter)

Top off the dry food bowls. Throw out the old wet cat food.

Rinse the water bowl and return with fresh water.

Sweep the floor.

Spot clean any soiled areas with disinfectant.

Clean the glass with glass cleaner.

Clean out the floor drain.

Cleaning Foster Kennels Signage Read all signage on kennel before interacting with the cat. When to notify staff:

1. The cat is sick 2. The cat has diarrhea 3. The cat appears stressed- not eating or using litterbox 4. The cat is showing signs of aggression 5. The cat is showing signs of an upper respiratory infection – sneezing, eye or nasal discharge

Not all cats/kittens need to be removed for cleaning. If you do need to remove a cat follow the directions below. Putting the Cat in a Carrier If you are transporting the cat out of the room where it is kenneled, always use a carrier. League cat carriers open from the top, like a picnic basket. Always sanitize a carrier in cage wash.

Load the cat into the carrier head first. If the cat resists, try putting them in rear first.

Support the back end and rear legs with one hand and the front paws with the other hand. Set the cat’s rear into the carrier and close the lid quickly.

Do not leave the cat in a carrier unattended.

Cleaning Cat Kennels

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Always work with healthy cats before sick cats. Do not return to healthy cats after working with sick cats. Wash and sanitize your hands between each cat you handle, wear new gloves between each kennel. When cleaning the cat/kitten kennels in foster it is important to be very observant. The animals kenneled in this area often have special needs or are too young to properly care for themselves. Some things to watch for are:

Is the cat recovering from a medical procedure? o How does the incision look? o Does the cat have a soiled or wet bandage? o Has the cat been licking, chewing or scratching at its incision site?

Is the kitten too young to groom itself? o It is important to pick up each kitten and check its bottom for any caked on feces. If it

has any feces on it, it will either need to be wiped down or given a kitten bath. Ask the foster staff for help learning to give kitten baths.

Does the cat or kitten appear very stressed? o Is it not eating or using its litter box?

What signage is on the kennel door? o Are there special instructions for this cat, including special diet or staff only?

Cleaning the Cat/Kitten Rooms In kitten rooms, we ask that all staff and volunteers wear gloves, gowns and booties and change their gloves and gowns after each kennel so that there is absolutely no chance of contagion being transferred from one kennel to another. We do this for 2 main reasons:

1. This is much easier than having a volunteer entering and exiting the cat rooms repeatedly during their shift, to use the sink for washing their hands.

2. Also, our hand sanitizers are not effective for killing panleuk so simply sanitizing their hands is not a viable option.

Before cleaning a kennel, always check the feed sheet on the kennel gate to see if there are special notes about the cat. Kitten kennels should have the food, water and litter box in the back of the kennel with the bed up front. This helps lower spills due to the kittens coming to the front of the kennel to greet you! In addition, use ceramic bowls for water with kittens so they are less likely to be toppled over by playful kittens. Daily Cleaning an Occupied Kennel – Use bucket filled with Rescue 2oz/gal NOTE: Try NOT to remove cat if possible, but instead clean around it. This is to keep the disturbance of the cat to a minimum and keep its scent around to help it feel more secure. You should re-use bedding, dishes and litter pans as much as possible. If the cat is fearful, hissy or aggressive in any manner, use a shield and gloves to clean around the cat. If the cat has a blue hide box, seal the cat in the box using the cat grabbers by putting the grabbers through bars and shutting the lid. If the cat is not in the box, use a shield to maneuver it in the box or get a supervisor to help you.

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1. Note any feces or urine and record on feed sheet. Also note on feed sheet:

a. If cat ate. b. If cat vomited. c. If placing on a tech check. d. Initial feed sheet.

2. Remove litter box and pour dirty litter into trash.

a. Spray litter pan with Rescue and wipe out. b. If litter pan is heavily soiled, let litter pan soak in soap and water until able to

remove the debris. c. If it is a disposable litter tray that is heavily soiled, replace with a new litterbox.

3. Remove food and water cups that are too soiled for re-use and place in trash bag.

4. Remove any laundry or toys that are too soiled for re-use and place in separate trash

bag.

5. Using paper towel and dust pan, sweep litter and other debris directly into dust pan and throw in trash, do not sweep litter onto floor below.

6. Spray paper towel with Rescue and wipe soiled areas or use a bucket filled with Rescue

and clean wash rags: a. Do not spray Rescue directly on kennel surface if cat is in kennel. b. Scrub glass to remove any built up mucus or debris. c. Using dry paper towel, wipe cleaned areas dry.

7. If towel and toys are clean enough for re-use, shake any litter or debris into trash bag

and replace towel and toy in kennel at the front near the glass.

8. Place food and water bowl underneath or on top of the shelf. Please do not place ceramic bowls on shelves.

9. Place litter pan directly across from food and water bowls, not under the shelf.

10. Wipe down the inside and outside of the kennel door removing any debris or cat hair.

11. Change gloves before touching any “clean” items or moving on to the next kennel.

12. Wash your hands with soap and water at the nearest sink before leaving the room and

moving on to the next room. Sanitizing an Empty Kennel- Use Rescue spray bottle 4oz/gal

1. Remove the gates from the kennel. a. Spray the gates with Rescue and scrub off foreign matter. b. Rinse and dry with paper towel. c. Spray kennel gates again with Rescue and let sit for 10 minutes. d. Wipe down with dry paper towel.

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2. Dust foreign particles out of the kennel with a paper towel into a trash can or soiled

litter box, not onto the floor.

3. Throw away any disposable food dishes or litter boxes.

4. Wash ceramic or metal litter boxes and dishes with dish soap and bring to the dish washer for cleaning.

5. Spray the walls, shelves, and gates with Rescue.

a. Scrub all surfaces to remove any black buildup or foreign matter and wipe out. b. Spray the kennel with Rescue and let sit for 10 minutes. c. Wipe out and then use a dry paper towel to wipe dry.

6. Place kennel gate back on kennel.

7. Change the UNSTERILE sign over to STERILE.

Spot Cleaning a Kennel If the cat is fearful, hissy or aggressive in any manner, use a shield and gloves to clean around the cat. If the cat has a blue hide box, seal the cat in the box using the cat grabbers by putting the grabbers through bars and shutting the lid. If the cat is not in the box, use a shield to maneuver it in the box or get a supervisor to help you.

7. If the cat has soiled its box a. Remove the litter box and pour into trash bag. b. Wipe out any excess debris and refill with new litter.

8. Dust foreign particles out of the kennel with a paper towel into a trash can or soiled

litter box, not on to the floor. a. If there is a small amount of foreign matter on the floor or walls, use Rescue on a

paper towel to scrub it off.

9. Clean window by spraying Rescue on a paper towel and wiping the window down. Make sure there are no streaks or spots.

10. If there is litter or any other substance in the bowls, dump the food and water, wipe out

the bowl and refill. If the bowls are clean, just replenish them.

11. Refold bedding to clean side and continue using it or replace it if there is not clean surface.

12. Spritz the cat’s bedding with one spray of Feliway and give the cat an appropriate toy or

stuffed animal. a. This is especially important for cats displaying signs of fear, stress or depression. b. For more information you may reference the Kitty Comfort requests SOP.

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Finishing After morning cleaning is complete:

Wipe down the cart with Rescue and paper towels.

Stock the cart according to the equipment list.

Stock the cabinet according to the equipment list and organize.

Stock rooms according to the equipment list.

Take out the trash to the compactor and replace trash bag.

Take dirty laundry to the laundry room.

Sweep and mop the floor.

Wash dishes and litter boxes and bring items to the dish washer as needed.

Transmission of Disease Animals kenneled in the foster area tend to be more susceptible to illness due to their age, existing medical conditions or because they are recovering from various surgical procedures. Be sure to reference your DFL101 manual if you have any questions about transmission of disease. Below are some illnesses to watch for when working with cats in the foster kennels:

Panluekopenia: Feline illness that is accompanied by bloody diarrhea, vomiting and lethargy.

Upper Respiratory Infection (URI): Feline illness that is accompanied by sneezing and nasal, and ocular discharge.

Giardia/Coccidia: Diarrhea can sometimes have blood in it. Be sure to always let a staff person know if you see any of the above symptoms or if you have any medical concerns about the cats kenneled in the foster area. LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Remember that clean laundry only goes in the RED bins. Dirty laundry only goes in the BLUE or

WHITE bins. 2. Sweep out the lint compartment after every other load. Make sure you clean the top of the

slanted lint trap. 3. Make sure both washers and dryers are running laundry before folding clean laundry. 4. Do not put the following in the washer:

Plastic cat toys Trash Syringes Paper litter trays

5. Do not include mop heads with regular laundry. Mop heads should be run through the washers in a load by themselves.

6. Do not place rubber toys or rope leashes in the dryers, as they will melt. 7. Make sure you use a dryer sheet for each dryer load. 8. Sweep/mop the floor and empty the trashcan multiple times throughout the day. 9. Please only fold laundry once all machines are running. Fold clean laundry as neatly as possible

and place it on the appropriate shelf. Shelves have been labeled as to what items should go where.

*Please follow laundry instructions on following page*

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Washing Machine Directions Basic Laundry-F1

1. Place dirty laundry bag on floor in front of the washing machine.

2. Gently shake dirty laundry out over bag before loading it into the machine.

3. Completely load the washing machine. Stuff the machine until no more possible laundry

can fit and be able to close the door.

4. Slide the door handle over to the left to lock it.

5. The detergent and bleach are automatic so all you need to do is hit START.

Mop Heads-F2 1. Change the setting from F1 to F2 by pushing the up or down arrow on the blue keypad.

2. Load the mop heads from the bin between the washing machines.

3. Hit START.

Dryer Machine Directions 1. Use the red bins to move the laundry from the washing machine to the dryer.

2. One load per dryer only.

3. IF ANY ITEMS FALL ON THE FLOOR, THEY MUST BE RE-WASHED!!!!!!

4. Add to dryer sheets to each load. Dryer sheets are located on the brown table next to

the dryers.

5. Hit HIGH 2 times and then hit START.

6. The dryers will note start if the doors to the machines or lint traps are not completely

closed.

7. One the dryers are finished, use the red bins to unload the dryers and then fold.

8. Mop heads go in the blue circular bin on the floor.

9. LINT TRAPS MUST BE CLEANED AFTER EVERY OTHER LOAD.

Items that CANNOT go into the dryer:

o LEASHES OF ANY KIND

o RUBBER BACKED RUGS

o RUBBER TOYS

o PING PONG BALLS

o COLLARS