Pet Boarding and Daycare May June 2018

VOL 8 • ED 3

MAY / JUNE 2018

and daycare magazine Profile of Success

WOOFINGTON LUXURY PETITE DOG RESORT & SPA

6

GAMES & ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE A DOG’S LIFE

ADDING A

GROOMING SALON TO

YOUR FACILITY

WWW.PETBOARDINGANDDAYCARE.COM

PHOTO BY UNIVERSITY OF DOGLANDO

Pledge to Protect Pets From Infectious Disease

HEROES FOR HEALTHY PETS™

YOUR REPUTATION MATTERS Infectious disease affects hundreds of pet businesses and thousands of pets nationwide each year.

The Heroes for Healthy Pets Infectious Disease Management Certification Program can help train your pet business staff in best practices to help manage and prevent infectious disease. It is based upon the 2017 American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) Canine Vaccination Guidelines that suggest vaccine protocols to help protect against diseases that place pets at risk in certain situations, such as for social dogs.

How It Works • Register online at heroes4healthypets.com and view complimentary online educational modules taught by veterinary experts in infectious disease: - Understanding Infectious Diseases (1 hour) - Effective Infectious Disease Control (1 hour) • Pass the final examination Print and display your Infectious Disease Management Certificate.

Show your commitment to pet health!

Register now at heroes4healthypets.com

The Program is sponsored by Merck Animal Health and Clorox Healthcare in coordination with Barkleigh Productions, the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America (NAVTA), International Boarding and Pet Services Association (IBPSA), Pet Sitters International (PSI), and VetGirl.

Copyright © 2018 Intervet Inc., d/b/a Merck Animal Health, a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. US/NOV/1017/0059

STAFF PUBLISHER Barkleigh Productions, Inc.

and daycare magazine

EXECUTIVE EDITOR Rebecca Shipman

MAY / JUN E 201 8

CONTENTS

ART DIRECTOR Laura Pennington SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Jenn Barraclough JUNIOR DESIGNER Jenny Thomas WEB MASTER Luke Dumberth PRESIDENT Todd Shelly

26

PROFILE OF SUCCESS:

WOOFINGTON LUXURY PETITE DOG RESORT & SPA

6

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

INDUSTRY NEWS

IS ODOR A PROBLEM IN

Barkleigh Productions and Outstanding YOUR FACILITY? Pet Care Collaborate to form

Disinfectants and detergents alone won’t remove foul odor.

COMPLETE ODORSMANAGEMENT KIT PROFE SIONAL PET BOARDING CERTIFICATION

Business

the daycare experience that each dog receives. In fact, you’ll likely notice a reduction in “problematic” behaviors, such as barking, charging the gate, and more. It’s a win–win–win for daycare facilities and their teams, the dogs in daycare, and the people who put their trust in dog daycares.

• 32 oz Bottle of LOE (Laundry Odor Eliminator)

you certainly could. To play, fill a large bucket with water and place toys and/or food in the water. To retrieve them, the dog must get wet, making this a great game for a hot summer’s day. Adding food gives the dogs an opportunity to use their smell and taste, too.

change and evolution. With soVeterinary many moving parts to juggle, • 22 oz Bottle of ODORMED

Animal Health

Thornell can tackle the toughest of

Approved

odors. See for yourself.

Requestcare FREE it’s important for pet professionals to continually seek samples today of products to eliminate

all of your odor issues in the kennel, in information to help them adapt, prepare, and succeed. the laundry and on the pet.

SAFE – EFFECTIVE – EASY TO USE

46 Feeding Raw: Benefits, Perils A Powerful Tool to Crush care theand Quandary Your Competition and comprehensive collection of inforike many industries, the pet pet boarding and daycare industry industry experiences constant was the American Boarding and Kennel mation ready to be tapped into by today’s 5 Reasons Why You Are Hiringchange and evolution. With care professionals.

Association. During its early years, CABKAEsawRa needTtoIprovide F IpetEcareD pet Together the two organizations, so many moving parts to juggle, it’s the Wrong People Barkleigh and OPC, have collaborated to professionals with a standardized important for pet care professionalsIndustry to News Bobbing for Apples You don’t have to use apples for this canine–friendly take on a classic human game, but

Squirt Gun Shenanigans Here’s another game that’s perfect for the upcoming summer season. Purchase simple water guns for staff members to have a “water

L

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

NON-ENZYMATIC IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

CONTACT THORNELL FOR AN INTRODUCTORY KIT OFFER AND SAMPLES.

W: thornell.com/free-sample • E: william@thornell.com • P: 1-888-873-3442

continually seek information to help them adapt, prepare, and succeed.

As an organization, for over 40 years Barkleigh Productions has witnessed and supplemented the growth of today’s pet care industry. Between their publications, trade shows and educational platforms, Barkleigh is a leader in professional pet care education, specifically for grooming and boarding/daycare professionals. Barkleigh recognizes the need for more regulation in the education of pet care professionals and already has several certification programs in place for the grooming industry, including international certifications.

The original trade organization for

Suck it Up! Controlling Fur/Hair in Your Facility Adding a Grooming Salon to Your Facility

50

4

• 8 oz Spray Bottle & Box of 80 ct Wipes of AOE (Animal Odor Eliminator)

Like many industries, the pet care industry experiences constant

Photos by University of Doglando

Facility 22

36

KIT INCLUDES:

MARKETING COORDINATOR Alyx Robertson SOCIAL MEDIA / PR COORDINATOR Chelsey Hall

• 16 oz Bottle of KOE (Kennel Odor Eliminator)

id you know that it’s entirely possible to incorporate games and activities into dog daycare environments, even when staff are responsible for dozens of dogs?

If you own or work at a dog daycare facility, there are limitless possibilities for adding these types of experiences to a dog’s day—all you need is motivation and creativity!

Mindfully planned games and activities engage every one of a dog’s senses, which is a vital part of enhancing

6

ADMIN / MARKETING ASSISTANT Karin Grottola

can play an important role in facility management.

TO ENHANCE A DOG’S LIFE

D

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & CLIENT RELATIONS James Severs

occurrence. Managing them safely and effectively

50

By Teena Patel

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER Adam Lohr

Unpleasant animal-related odors are a common, daily

6

12

16

VICE PRESIDENT Gwen Shelly

54 54

educational platform to ensure the ongoing growth & success of the industry. The organization underwent changes and the association shut down.

The assets were eventually purchased

by Outstanding Pet Care (OPC) in an effort to keep its important educational platform available to the industry.

OPC’s network of trusted pet care operators and leading veterinarians reviewed the certification material and discovered it to be outdated. Together, OPC and its contemporaries spent a great deal of time, energy and resources to meticulously screen, update and add necessary courses to the curriculums.

The result is the industry’s most powerful

New Products Classifieds

form an educational platform to certify pet boarding/daycare owners, managers and employees called Professional Pet Boarding Certification (PPBC). This certification model will utilize the material owned OPC to educate and provide some regulation to this otherwise unregulated industry. And while the industry is constantly changing, PPBC promises to have the most current information and educational materials available.

C E R T I F I C A T I ON

Canine Flu, Cough & More Barkleigh and OPC both firmly believe it’s important for pet care professionals to stay educated on significant topics. Our two organizations agreed

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

CONTACT

General: (717) 691-3388 info@barkleigh.com Editorial: rebecca@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 225) Advertising: james@barkleigh.com

(717) 691-3388 (ext. 224)

Copyright May 2018. Pet Boarding & Daycare is published bimonthly by Barkleigh Productions, Inc, 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055.

Postmaster: Send change of address to Pet Boarding & Daycare c/o Barkleigh Productions, Inc., 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Editorial offices: 970 West Trindle Road, Mechanicsburg PA 17055. (717) 691–3388 FAX (717) 691–3381 Email: info@barkleigh.com

OGENA

6

ANIMAL BEHAVIOR

TO ENHANCE A DOG’S LIFE

By Teena Patel

D

id you know that it’s entirely possible to incorporate games and activities into dog daycare environments, even when staff are responsible for dozens of dogs?

If you own or work at a dog daycare facility, there are limitless possibilities for adding these types of experiences to a dog’s day—all you need is motivation and creativity!

Mindfully planned games and activities engage every one of a dog’s senses, which is a vital part of enhancing

6

Photos by University of Doglando

the daycare experience that each dog receives. In fact, you’ll likely notice a reduction in “problematic” behaviors, such as barking, charging the gate, and more. It’s a win–win–win for daycare facilities and their teams, the dogs in daycare, and the people who put their trust in dog daycares.

Bobbing for Apples You don’t have to use apples for this canine–friendly take on a classic human game, but

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

you certainly could. To play, fill a large bucket with water and place toys and/or food in the water. To retrieve them, the dog must get wet, making this a great game for a hot summer’s day. Adding food gives the dogs an opportunity to use their smell and taste, too.

Squirt Gun Shenanigans Here’s another game that’s perfect for the upcoming summer season. Purchase simple water guns for staff members to have a “water

IS ODOR A PROBLEM IN YOUR FACILITY? Unpleasant animal-related odors are a common, daily occurrence. Managing them safely and effectively can play an important role in facility management.

Disinfectants and detergents alone won’t remove foul odor.

COMPLETE ODOR MANAGEMENT KIT KIT INCLUDES: • 8 oz Spray Bottle & Box of 80 ct Wipes of AOE (Animal Odor Eliminator) • 32 oz Bottle of LOE (Laundry Odor Eliminator) • 16 oz Bottle of KOE (Kennel Odor Eliminator) • 22 oz Bottle of ODORMED

Thornell can tackle the toughest of

Veterinary Approved

odors. See for yourself. Request FREE samples today of products to eliminate all of your odor issues in the kennel, in the laundry and on the pet.

SAFE – EFFECTIVE – EASY TO USE NON-ENZYMATIC IMPROVED PERFORMANCE

CONTACT THORNELL FOR AN INTRODUCTORY KIT OFFER AND SAMPLES. W: thornell.com/free-sample • E: william@thornell.com • P: 1-888-873-3442

fight” with the dogs. Let the dogs chase the water from the squirt gun or squirt water at the ground to make mud (because getting dirty is often the most fun game of all!)

It’s important to remember that not all dogs will love every game, especially ones that involve water. Never force a dog to participate—they should always have the freedom to remove themselves from a game or activity if desired. And you can always create another game for dogs not willing to participate. For example, many dogs will happily chase a single ice cube or chunk around a room.

Jolly Balls are large, inflatable rubber balls that were originally designed for horses.

They’re too large to guard effectively, making them perfect for communal play.

Jolly Balls, Jolly Times!

Jolly Balls are large, inflatable rubber balls that were originally designed for horses. They’re too large to guard effectively, making them perfect for communal play. Staff should be actively involved in this game, as they can kick the ball, toss it to different parts of the yard and otherwise engage with the dogs as they play.

Keep Away For dogs who love to chase balls, add some more human interaction into the game by playing soccer or keep away. In fact, dog daycare owners should encourage team members to play right alongside the dogs they’re monitoring. This helps build lasting relationships, which should always be a goal of daycares.

Ball Hang At Doglando, we have a few pups who love playing with a hanging, handled ball. All you have to do is tie rope to one of the handles, then hang the ball from a wall, ceiling, tree or other structure.

By now, I hope you’re noticing a trend: Games and activities don’t have to be complicated to be great fun for a dog.

8

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

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Dogs love

Sleuth Out The Scents

searching for

scents, and there are tons

scents, and there are tons of ways you can use that sense for some engaging daycare games and activities.

Dogs love searching for of ways you can use that sense for some engaging daycare games and activities. Here are a few ideas to get you started: • Hide treats under rocks, logs, in sand and elsewhere throughout your environment.

• Spray leaves, grass and other natural substrates with a scent for dogs to roll in.

• Stuff items with interesting smells into a jar with holes.

Where food is concerned, you might be worried about fights breaking out, which is understandable.

PETBOARDINGDAYCARE and daycare magazine

@BARKLEIGHINC

However, if food is a regular part of your environment, this won’t be an issue. At Doglando, we’re always using kibble and other foods. It’s given freely, and the dogs have learned this.

Even More Games and Activities for Dogs

This short list is just the tip of the iceberg, and there are many other ways you can add simple, yet highly valuable, games and activities into the daycare environment. For even more fun, visit www.bit.ly/enhanced-play.

This free guide has 10 additional games and activities you can try in your facility. You'll probably come up with even more ideas as you read and get inspired!

It can be a daunting to implement, especially if you’ve never tried this with groups of dogs. But, I promise it’s entirely possible and entirely worth it. I know you’ll agree once you see games and activities in action at your own dog daycare! n

10

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

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BUSINESS

Crush

By Laura Laaman

12

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

The Phone is a Powerful Method of Personal Communication Instead of thinking of the phone as a nuisance or distraction, pet care business owners can leverage the phone to their advantage in many ways. As detailed in a previous article, tapping into the power of the telephone begins with measuring and ensuring strong conversion of initial prospective client calls into reservations.

Also powerful, although unusual,

is reconnecting with the pet parents who’ve already done business with you.

Making outbound calls is a great way to do that. Just as with initial client inquiry calls, outbound calls need to be handled with extreme care. With the right approach and execution, outbound calls are a valuable tool for your company to connect with pet parents. Generally, receptionists or other front desk staff think of outbound calls as “cold calls”, but they can be utilized to carve out a place above your competitors.

Instead of thinking of

Set Yourself Apart by Making a Connection In this industry, you’re providing care to someone’s cherished furry family members. Emotion is close to the surface here, so magnifying personal

many ways.

THE PHONE as a nuisance or

distraction, pet care business owners can leverage the phone to their advantage in

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

C2002

T

his industry is now swarming with competition. The number of competitors in the pet boarding and daycare industry has been growing by leaps and bounds. To make matters worse, these days you’re also competing with massive corporate conglomerates. Some you can see on your way to work and others you can't (unless you do a Google search). With the rise of game–changing competitors like Rover.com, DogVacay.com and WagWalking.com, it’s more important than ever to set your company apart.

So, what can you do to stand out from these very smart and deep– pocketed competitors? If your answer is providing great pet care, that's unfortunately not enough in today's fiercely competitive environment.

By nature, this is a very personal industry. Therefore, pet parents are likely to respond most favorably to companies that offer personal, human connections. If we try to do too much electronically (email, website, online forms, etc.), we're inadvertently saying pets are just numbers to us. Most pet care providers I meet and work with feel pets are all very special and unique.

Assuming you agree, carrying over that feeling into your communications can help set you apart from your powerful competitors.

13

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Serious

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This is a rapidly changing and highly competitive industry.

OUTSTANDING PET CARE is the authority in producing exceptional results for our clients. Our consulting and training firm helps pet care facility owners realize the revenues they deserve.

“Since we've been an OPC client, we've increased our revenues

over 500-600%.

– Joanne Morris, Morris Animal Inn, Morristown, NJ

SOME OF OUR MANY SERVICES INCLUDE: Constant support guaranteed to grow your business Marketing & pricing guidance Exclusive meetings with the top pet care facility owners in the world Phone training

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

connections goes a long way. When your client picks up their pet from an overnight stay at your facility, the pet can’t tell them how much they enjoyed it. You and your staff can lend a voice to these pets by informing the parent of the many activities their pet enjoyed. Another way is to make phone calls to follow up on the pet’s visit.

Calls made shortly after a pet’s visit deepen the human connection between your company and your client. You’re showing an active interest in both pet and pet parent, and your clients are likely to appreciate a verbal description of their pet’s experience, what activities their pet enjoyed and how much fun their pet had at your facility. Fully customized for the client on the other end, these calls demonstrate a level of warmth your competitors may not have. Similarly, calls can be made to existing clients who haven’t been to your facility in a while.

Follow-Up Phone Calls Are Golden Opportunities The mobile phone industry is also very competitive. I'm sure that's why one customer–centric company has their managers follow up to thank the customer for their business and to offer resources on technical support when they sell a new phone. This simultaneously shows warmth, keeps their company at the forefront of the customer’s mind and introduces the customer to their other services. When it comes time to buy a new charger or a memory upgrade, the goal is for the customer to think of their company first.

Pet care facility owners can use these calls to touch base with existing clients, follow up on a new client’s experience and promote their other services. However, the approach will change the results so it’s important to outline a plan and ensure proper

As the owner or manager, you need to carefully determine who among your staff is most adept at promoting your company positively. These are the people you should train to make the outbound calls. training to get the most out of your outbound calls.

A Good Strategy Will Pave the Way Many pet care facilities allow all members of their staff to make and receive new prospect phone calls.

The truth is, not everyone is naturally

Some of the hallmarks of good

even hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue, should they become an ongoing,

phone finesse are: • Positive attitude.

returning customer. By using a good

• Enthusiasm, both in

outbound phone protocol, you can more

conversation and in general

easily turn first–time visitors into regulars. n

character.

• Good grammar, demeanor

Laura Laaman is president of Outstanding Pet Care. Outstanding Pet Care guarantees

and manners.

skilled in handling these important and

• Politeness and professionalism.

to substantially increase the revenues of

expensive phone opportunities. The

• The ability to maintain control

its clients with its proven services. If you’re

saying is true; you only have one chance to make a positive first impression. As the

interested in growing your revenues, sched-

of a conversation.

Once you’ve decided on your best

ule an individual consultation with Laura

owner or manager, you need to carefully

phone candidates, it’s important to train

Laaman or one of her team members. Call

determine who among your staff is

them on exactly how to make effective

Outstanding Pet Care at 1-888-735-5667 or

most adept at promoting your company

outbound calls. You might even consider

go to www.OutstandingPetCare.com.

positively. These are the people you

following a script. A new customer is

should train to make the outbound calls.

potentially worth tens of thousands to

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

15

At least once a week

5

I get a call from a client asking me to help identify why they’re having such a hard time finding the right employees for their business.

U

YOU ARE

HIRING

nfortunately, most of these clients are focused on what’s wrong with the applicants they’re getting rather than focusing on what’s really important and what’s within their control—their own hiring strategy.

Boarding and daycare owners are busy managing the day–to–day aspects of running their businesses. As a result, many of them don’t take the time to assess their hiring processes to identify the mistakes they could be making that cause them to attract and hire the wrong people.

Fixing these common mistakes will not only help you find and hire the right employee, but will save you a lot of time, energy, and frustration in the process.

1

the

people

By Amy Castro

16

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Your Job Advertisement Is Boring.

Wanted. Kennel Technician. One year of experience minimum. Expected to care for boarded pets by cleaning, feeding, exercising, and bathing.

With ads like this, it’s no wonder you can’t attract the lively, friendly, pet–loving kennel tech you want for your team. If you want your job advertisement to stand out and attract the right candidates, make the description of the job and your requirements fun, lively, humorous, or entertaining. This doesn’t mean you should sugar–coat the difficult parts of the job. You can still be

1 YOUR JOB AD

Rather than focusing the whole ad on describing your business and what you’re

is BORING ZZ

Z

looking for in an applicant, share WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) for the applicant.

Pet Care Facility DESIGN • BUILD • CONSULTING

Our Experience Sets Us Apart!

honest! Rather than focusing the whole ad on describing your business and what you’re looking for in an applicant, share WIIFM (what’s in it for me?) for the applicant. What will he or she gain by coming to work for you? Don’t know what to say? Ask your happy, long–term employees why they came to work for you and what makes them stay.

Your job description for the position is nonexistent, vague, or inaccurate.

Every position within your business should have a clear and specific job description outlining the main duties the employee in that position would perform.

Too many times people are frustrated by a new hire’s inability to perform specific tasks, but when I’m called in to consult on the issue, I find that the tasks that the owner expects to be done aren’t clearly outlined in the job description.

Also, be sure to include the amount of time the employee will be expected to perform each task. This lets potential employees know how they’ll be spending their day. For example, one boarding facility client recently had an employee quit because she didn’t realize how much time she was going to be spending on the phone talking with clients and potential clients. The employee wasn’t a “people person,” and hated talking on the phone.

She took the job because she thought she’d only have to deal with dogs. Be sure that your job description paints a realistic picture of how the employee will spend

2

• Designed over 65 facilities, including veterinary hospitals • Built 12 pet care facilities • 25-year owner/operator of a Pet Resort!

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18

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

4

Too focusED

on skills

and

focusED ON

attitude To hire successfully, you need to add attitude–related

questions—preferably behavior–based

ones—to your list of

interview questions.

20

his or her time. Finally, don’t use the phrase, “and all other duties as assigned,” as an excuse for not being specific. It’s unfair and you’re likely to lose your new hires when they’ve taken a position with a job description that outlines specific tasks and it turns out they are expected to do completely different things.

You’re asking the wrong interview questions.

Too many people waste time asking questions in job interviews that don’t help them learn anything about the applicant, such as, Where do you see yourself in five years? What's your greatest weakness?

Why do you want to work here? Why should I hire you? The problem with these questions is that anyone can do an internet search and find 100 articles that tell them EXACTLY how to answer these questions. As a result, you’re getting the “right” answer, but not learning anything about the person you’re interviewing by

3

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

asking these questions.

Instead, ask questions specific to the position you’re trying to fill.

Additionally, don’t waste time asking a candidate to “Tell me about yourself.”

If you do, you might hear the person’s entire history from birth until today. To create great interview questions, start by identifying the Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities a person would need to be successful in the job and then ask questions about these specific things.

You’re too focused on skills and not focused enough on attitude.

Too many times we’re swayed by the number of years of experience a person has or the places he or she has worked previously. Although these things can be important, an employee’s lack of technical skills are not usually the reason they fail or we regret hiring them. Things like motivation, emotional intelligence,

4

service orientation, willingness to accept feedback, and other attitude–related factors are the things that cause employees to fail. To hire successfully, you need to add attitude–related questions—preferably behavior-based ones—to your list of interview questions. For inspiration, ask your current, top employees what personal characteristics they think are needed to succeed and thrive in their positions.

You're asking hypothetical questions instead of behavioral questions.

Hypothetical questions ask candidates to tell you what they THINK they’d do in specific situations. For example, you might ask, “What would you do if a customer was unhappy about the service they received?” The problem is, what candidates think they’d do and what they’d really do are often two different things.

Behavioral interview questions ask candidates to share a specific experience they’ve had in the past and their actions in dealing with the situation. The premise is that past behavior is likely to be repeated. I’d much rather know what the candidate has actually done in a real situation with an unhappy customer, wouldn’t you? Therefore, I’d probably ask, “Tell me about a time when you had to deal with an unhappy customer.

What did you do to handle the situation? What was the result?” n

5

Amy P. Castro is a communication expert, sought-after speaker, and author of several books on communication including Practical Communication. Her passion for helping animals began when she worked at a boarding facility and veterinary practice for more than 8 years. Amy is an active animal foster, having fostered more than 500 animals in recent years. In 2017, she founded Starlight Outreach and Rescue, a nonprofit corporation dedicated to helping Houston-area animal shelters provide medical care and other services to save the lives of animals who might otherwise be euthanized. To learn more about Amy, visit her website at www.Amy-Castro.com.

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21

FACILITY

CONTROLLING FUR/ HAIR IN YOUR FACILITY

By Mel Forbes

Photo by Health Technology

22

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

EVERYWHERE. It’s on the floors, the ceiling tiles, window seals, in the groom room, underneath the desk, in the intake vents of our HVAC systems, and sometimes we even find that stray strand of fur that somehow made its way into our mouths.

E

very day we are excited to see

Cheyletiellosis, which is a mite.) So

has become a major concern since cases

our pet friends come into our

let’s “suck it up”! Vacuuming intake

are popping up all over the country.

facilities for a fun filled day of

vents in the ceiling of your facility

Dogs are getting sick from the air they

play. But with them comes fur. Cleaning

should be done every week during your

breathe and from direct contact with the

areas where loose fur can accumulate

designated detail cleaning day.

virus on hard surfaces. Implementing a

is a repetitive process that needs to be

Recently, H3N2 (influenza A virus)

vacuum protocol to clean intake vents

done every day to get the best results.

Just like brushing our teeth or taking a shower regularly, we need to “just clean it”. The simpler we make removing fur/hair, the more likely it will end up

K-9 II & K-9 III

getting done every day.

While there are a variety of different vacuums and vacuum systems available,

BLOWER-DRYERS now both available in

one of the simplest and most effective types is a commercial back pack vacuum. These vacuums come with

VARIABLE SPEED!

a wand that can reach ceiling tiles, intake vents, tops of book shelves, behind the washer and dryer machines, rubber flooring, the front counter, computer keyboards (don’t forget to vacuum the fan for the CPU), cages, crates, drop ceiling T–Bar, chairs, and puppy playground equipment. Back pack vacuums are a great tool to use because they reduce fatigue, are easy to maneuver, extremely quiet, efficient and can be fun to use.

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WOW!

By Kathy Hosler

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Photos provided by Mark Peterson Photography

W

ho would have thought that a little rescue dog named Toby would be the inspiration for a hugely successful vacation destination for dogs? It's true. If it weren't for Toby, there would be no Woofington Luxury Petite Dog Resort & Spa. Lisa and Michael Larson were eagerly planning their two week vacation to the South Pacific. They made reservations for their dog, Toby to stay at a well–established boarding facility. They planned to drop Toby

off on their way to the airport. As the Larsons were checking him in, they were asked if they would like a quick tour of the kennel.

"Of course we did," recalls Lisa.

"But, when we saw the accommodations, my mouth dropped open.

The cages they kept the dogs in were crammed 3–high. I was really upset.

It wasn't at all what I expected from a highly recommended facility."

"It was really disturbing," said Michael. "Here we were, going on a luxury vacation, and our little Toby

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

would have to stay in this place. Our dog does not sleep in a metal cage or on a concrete floor at home.”

It was on that trip that they decided to open the Woofington.

The Larsons knew that they could do things much better than the place where Toby was boarded. Located in an extremely affluent section of the Twin Cities' metro area called Lake Minnetonka, they were certain that an exclusive, luxury resort for small dogs (under 25 lbs, only) was exactly what their area needed.

27

Their guests enjoy the comfort of raised Kuranda beds complete with thick fleece pads and cozy plush

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"We opened the Woofington on June 27, 2016, determined to provide our clients with unforgettable services and amenities," said Lisa and Michael.

"We strive to provide a ‘Wow!’ experience to each guest, every time they are with us. We take that to heart in everything we do."

When you step into the Woofington Resort reception area, you are greeted by the charm of British Colonial decor; complete with elegant chandeliers, spectacular artwork, and gorgeous oriental rugs all throughout the facility.

"We have 55 suites, and can accommodate 72 dogs," says Lisa. "Ten of the suites have password protected webcams that allow the owners to view their pet at any time. All ten of them also have flat panel TVs that feature Dog TV channel.”

Their guests enjoy the comfort of raised Kuranda beds complete with thick fleece pads and cozy plush blankets and pillows. And, included in their daily housekeeping services, freshly ironed

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Guests in the lavish Presidential and Dignitary suites get an extra thirty minutes of one–on–one time each night with a staff member who sits in the room with them and reads them stories and gives them belly rubs.

30

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

pillowcases are placed on their pillows every morning.

"Transparency is of the utmost importance to us," Michael adds. "We want all of our guests and their owners to experience the welcoming openness of our facility. All of our suites have full glass fronts. We have over 17,000 sq. ft. of glass."

Most of the guests bring their own food, but full gourmet meals, such as beef tenderloin, salmon or chicken can be individually prepared by trained chefs. Special treats like the Woofington cookies that are freshly made with carrots and peanut butter are a real hit with the pups.

Guests in the lavish Presidential and Dignitary suites get an extra thirty minutes of one–on–one time each night with a staff member who sits in the room with them and reads them stories and gives them belly rubs.

"Our Cyclo Vac wet/dry system cleans and sanitizes our entire facility with pet–friendly, veterinary hospital grade disinfectants," Michael says.

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constantly throughout the day."

The guests at Woofington wear Pet Detect collars. A staff member removes the pet's collar, and replaces it with a tear–away Pet Detect collar. It is printed with "I'm a guest at the Woofington" and includes the dog's name and suite number on it. Wearing a tear–away collar prevents injuries to a tooth, paw, or toenail from getting stuck in a regular collar during playtime.

All of the boarding clients are also treated to daycare as long as they pass the temperament test. "We have a very interactive daycare. We have toys, tunnels, and agility equipment. There is a ball pit and a couple of pools to splash in.”

"We even have a bubble machine with bacon scented bubbles," says Lisa with a hearty laugh. "The dogs sure love to pop those bubbles!"

There are both indoor and outdoor play areas that are about 1,000 sq. ft. each.

The indoor play area has a 100% recycled rubber flooring that is really easy on pets’ joints and paws when they are running around. The outdoor area is equipped with

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There are webcams in the play yards that allow anyone to watch the dogs enjoy a full day of fun.

"We have a little fitness center at the Woofington," says Michael. "It’s especially geared for dogs that aren't suited for group play, or senior or special needs pets. We have a mini doggie treadmill that allows them to enjoy a leisurely stroll (supervised by a staff member) in climate controlled comfort."

The Woofington has two full–time groomers on staff. They do everything from a basic bath to full grooming and spa services. Pampering blueberry facials, exfoliating Dead Sea salt mineral treatments and unique creative coloring are just some of the services that the canine guests can experience.

The dogs receive a complimentary exit bath if they stay five or more days.

They have thirteen members in their highly trained staff. Most of them are full–time employees and all of them are trained in pet first aid and CPR. "We run our business by checklists," says Lisa. "It really holds everybody accountable. We have morning, midday and closing checklists that cover everything from unlocking the doors, to checking voicemails, to giving medications. As the various tasks are completed, the person signs off."

"Our website, www.woofington.com, and social media are very important to our success," adds Michael. "We do quite a bit of Facebook posting. We try to post inspirational messages, famous quotes or dog facts, along with photos of dogs who are staying with us."

Lisa and Michael are very proud of what they have accomplished and they plan to open more Woofingtons in the Twin Cities' area and beyond.

Little dogs and their owners absolutely love the Woofington. Their spectacular luxury accommodations, finest food, and five-star care has everyone saying, "Wow!" and "Bow–Wow–Wow!" Thanks Toby! n

FACILITY

Adding A

GROOMING SALON To Your Facility

By Kathy Rose Offering grooming as an additional service at your facility is a great way to add revenue. While you may already offer simple grooming, such as exit baths for boarding or daycare clients, a full service grooming salon will bring in new clients and more income.

36

T

he following outlines how to design a floorplan, the steps for hiring a contractor and the equipment needed to open a full service grooming salon, from the ground up. If you do already offer grooming, this is also a great tool for expansions or upgrades.

Designing an Effective Floor Plan Creating an effective floor plan is crucial for an efficient salon. Well organized salons have at least four area considerations in their floor plan. Smaller salons may combine spaces but regard should be given to the tasks at hand: • Receiving and evaluating clients • Holding area for the pets during their stay • Bathing and drying (the “Wet” room) • Styling and finishing.

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Even the smallest space should incorporate the four main areas into the salon design. Keep in mind, as the salon size increases, so does the importance of the floor plan. This will require exact measurements of the space you have chosen. Being just a little bit off in measuring can prove to be frustrating and costly when installing large equipment such as kennel banks and tubs.

It is also important to consider the size of the walls where large equipment will be placed. An error by an inch can cost a lot of money in redesign, construction or product return.

Consider how the doors, including cage doors, open in relation to adjacent walls. It is difficult to place a large dog in a cage adjacent to a wall when

FLOOR PLAN

There are many useful programs and application tools available via the Internet for designing a space.

38

it opens away from the wall instead of toward the wall.

It is important to consider the order of things; dogs check in, go to holding area, proceed to bathing and drying and then perhaps back to holding area prior to being groomed in the styling area.

There are many useful programs and application tools available via the Internet for designing a space. I have found www.floorplanner.com to be the most user friendly. This site is cost effective and provides video tutorials that are easy to follow.

Walking through your prospective space should ignite a spark of creativity.

Keep the four areas in mind when evaluating the space. The first impression should be warm and inviting. Pick a theme and carry this throughout the salon, or continue the theme that you have in the rest of your facility.

• Reception/Evaluation Area If you choose not to have a separate reception area for your grooming clients and plan to check them in with your boarding and daycare clients, an evaluation area is still a must. A designated area for evaluating the clients’ pets helps to reduce stress and can serve as a

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

holding area while pertinent information is gathered.

Your initial reception of clients will set the pace of the entire experience.

They deserve the time and attention for a thorough evaluation, especially on the first visit. Perhaps even more importantly, this initial evaluation provides the opportunity for you to interact with the client and pet and create a bond. Placing the pet on the front desk or evaluating small pets on the floor does not speak professionalism. Set up a designated table for pet evaluation.

• Holding Area Whether waiting for retrieval by the pet parent or waiting for a procedure, at some point during a pet’s visit he will require a place to wait. The holding area should be a comfortable area where the pets can be easily monitored.

You could either setup a separate area for holding of your grooming clients or keep them in your general boarding area. Although, some clients may not be comfortable with this due their perception of disease spread within boarding facilities. Another option, which could also be an upsell for you, would be to offer them daycare for the

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ST YLING &

FINISHING

The styling and

finishing area is best stationed

away from the wet

room and near the reception area.

Consider installing

a “viewing” window for the clients.

day, if that is one of your service options.

Play pens or built–in enclosures strictly for the grooming clients are also popular and pet parents like the cage free feel. You may choose to utilize a combination of housing options offering the client a choice at a price. Whichever method is employed, the pets should always be carefully monitored.

• Bathing and Drying The bathing and drying area is best placed separate from the rest of the salon. An enclosed “wet” room will help control humidity, aid with hair containment and help to control dryer noise. This will reduce time spent keeping a clean shop and help to maintain a professional spa atmosphere.

Plan on the installation of an exhaust fan vented outside. This will help to expel the warmer air, reduce some humidity and provide an extra source of ventilation.

Ideally, all surfaces in the “wet” room will be made from water resistant materials such as tile board or tile. But all the areas adjacent to the tubs must be water resistant. If electrical outlets are to be placed near the wet areas be sure that they are ground fault protected or GFCI.

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• Styling and Finishing The styling and finishing area is best stationed away from the wet room and near the reception area. Consider installing a “viewing” window for the clients.

This will help contain trimmed hair and give clients the chance to view their pet’s grooming procedures, but at a distance.

Make sure to install abundant electrical outlets. Contemplate installing floor outlets during the build out. This will reduce the need for dangerous extension cords.

Lighting is also a major consideration for this room. Try to make use of as much window light as possible. Natural ambient light is easiest to work with. Track lighting is also a good option because you can direct the flow of light to avoid shadows.

It is important to think of the separate areas discussed above. It is strategic to consider their spatial relationship to each other. How does the typical workday flow? Check in clients, proceed to holding area, bathing follows, next dryers, on to styling, and then inevitably back to holding area.

Create these areas relative to typical order of procedure. Avoid bottlenecks, especially in cramped spaces. Always take in to consideration the direction of door openings and alter this if needed.

It is much more efficient to change door opening direction during the initial build–out rather than in hindsight after the painting has been completed.

Designing your floor plan is a strategic part in the build–out of your new salon. Creating an efficient plan and following some basic concepts can help you to create the salon of your dreams.

Hiring a General Contractor Simple renovation construction or a complete new salon build–out is an exciting adventure. Unfortunately this can also prove to be a stressful process.

Hiring the right contractor can make or break that experience. Researching prospective contractors is vital!

GET A WRITTEN CONTRACT

Start your search for a contractor early in the planning stages of your salon. Once a relationship has been established, your contractor can provide a good resource for construction information regarding many aspects of salon renovation, design and build–out. You should be able to provide a basic concept of your design plans when speaking with prospective contractors. Keep in mind it is usually more cost effective to adapt your design to the space than to adapt the space to your design.

It is wise to have a general idea and a sketch of an effective grooming salon floor plan. A contractor may not be familiar with how an organized grooming salon operates or even the process involved. Prepare a sample floor plan showing the operation of the main work areas with a broad indication of plumbing, electric, and lighting needs.

Chances are you will need at least one permit from the department that enforces building ordinances and codes.

It is possible that electrical, plumbing or other specialized jobs may require separate permits. A licensed general contractor should be able to determine the legal requirements for renovations and secure the necessary permits or provide sub–contractors that can provide the necessary permits. Confirm this in your initial consultations with prospective general contractors.

Document the insurance requirements such as personal liability coverage, property damage and worker’s compensation. Make sure to see certificates from all sub–contractors. Contact your state’s division of Workman’s Compensation for regulations

This should include a bid based on the job and a price breakdown for labor, materials, permits, subcontractors, etc. Don’t make any changes without documentation. This is called a Change Order.

pertaining to your area and make sure the contractor is in compliance.

Once you have secured the space to be renovated, make sure to detail the scope of work to be completed. Clearly identify the services and materials that will be provided. Establish a written schedule with completion dates and penalties for preventable delays.

Get a written contract. This should include a bid based on the job and a price breakdown for labor, materials, permits, subcontractors, etc. Don’t make any changes without documentation. This is called a Change Order.

Determine if sub–contractors will be hired and if so, make sure you have copies of their licenses and insurance requirements.

Confirm your contractor will be on–site to oversee all work being performed.

The contractor should provide a schedule for payment that corresponds with a time–line for completed work.

The payment schedule should be detailed and include a clause permitting you to withhold at least ten percent until all inspections are passed and you have received a release of lien from the contractor and all sub–contractors.

This is vital and will help to eliminate

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41

the chance of future leans being placed by sub–contractors who were not paid by the general contractor. An average deposit at signing is twenty percent, but may vary dependent upon the scope of work and your area.

Build–out of a new salon or renovation of an existing area holds the expectation of future rewards. Doing your homework and following a few cautious steps can help to make the process not only bearable but also successful.

Equipment There is a vast amount of equipment available to the pet grooming industry that will accommodate every budget and preference. As services, floor plans, budgets and individual tastes vary, so shall the equipment choices from one salon to another. Never the less, there are a few key factors to consider when setting up your salon.

Safety: Is the equipment safe for the

pet, client and staff? Some manufacturers of electrical equipment, such as dryers and dehumidifiers, are UL (Underwriters Laboratories) listed which may offer an added safety buffer. UL Listing means that UL has tested representative samples of the product and determined that it meets UL’s requirements. These requirements are based primarily on UL’s published and nationally recognized Standards for Safety.

Efficiency: Does the equipment help to make the job more efficient?

Reliability: Is high maintenance or frequent replacement required to keep the equipment safe and efficient?

Ergonomics: Does the equipment contribute to comfort, safety, efficiency, and ease of use?

Aesthetics: Is there eye appeal?

Value: Is the importance or usefulness worth the price?

• Tables Stationary grooming tables, because of conservative cost and portability, may have

a place in the salon. Many are available with adjustable legs to provide a variety of heights. Unfortunately adjustments can be cumbersome between dogs so they are best suited for portable use or set for use at a stationary height.

For everyday grooming of a variety of dog breeds ranging from tiny to giant, the hydraulic or electric adjustable tables are the way to go. Electric and hydraulic tables offer ergonomic benefits to improve stylist and pet comfort as well as safety. They are both offered in a variety of sizes and some models even offer a rotating top.

The hydraulic table is usually more economical than the electric and still offers the benefit of easy height adjustment with minimal physical effort. The up and down movement can be a bit shaky but the lower cost is a plus.

The big benefit of the electric table is the greater height variances available and smoother action for lift and lower.

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PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

TUBS

Professional pet tubs offer many advantages over typical mainstream tubs.

Pet tubs are elevated; a must when it comes to a professional operation.

Built In Ramps Typically electric tables are priced higher than the hydraulic tables.

• Tubs Non–corrosive, professional pet tubs can offer years of value and ease of maintenance. Professional pet tubs offer many advantages over typical mainstream tubs. Pet tubs are elevated; a must when it comes to a professional operation. They come in various sizes and offer built in ramps, doors, shampoo holders, racks, hair traps and a variety of other upgrades to suit different requirements and budgets.

Stainless steel is a solid choice and may offer many years of service if properly cared for. The tubs in my salon are more than fourteen years old and still look and function as new.

Most tub manufacturers also produce tub racks to fit their tubs. A rack in the tub will help to elevate the pet from the tub floor and facilitate easier rinsing. I recommend placing a heavy rubber mat that has drainage holes, on top of the rack. This provides a softer platform and will help prevent long nails becoming entrapped in the rack crevices.

It is advisable to place rubber floor matting in and around all wet

44

areas. Some durable rubber mats have drainage holes and can be trimmed to fit specific areas such as tub grates and kennel mats. Other choices for slip–resistant matting with drainage can be found in many wholesale pet supply companies or online.

• Shampoo Systems Shampoo bathing systems can help to reduce shampoo costs, energy and time. There are a large variety of systems available to choose from.

Compressor driven pre–mixed shampoo applications, recirculating and non-recirculating all function differently. Some will require electric, others depend upon water pressure for shampoo dilution. I have used most of these over time and find that what works well for one salon is not right for another so the best bet is to get direct information from the manufacturers.

• Dryers High velocity dryers save time without the use of heating elements.

Some manufacturers offer quiet motors that are controlled by a variable speed dial for fine-tuning the airflow to the velocity you need. The twin motors warm the air without a heating element.

This helps to make drying faster and

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Shampoo Holders more comfortable for the animal.

Washable filters help to keep pet hair out of the motors. The variable speed allows the dryer to not only high–velocity dry, but also gently dry at lower velocity, dry pet faces, small dogs, and cats.

There is a diversity of fluff dryers available with a variety of amenities.

Fluff dryers use a heating element to heat the air and provide a steady flow of warm air at a lower rate than high velocity dryers. The purpose is to be able to direct the flow of air onto the pet while brushing. These are available as stand dryers or wall mountable in a variety of styles and makes.

Walk-in kennel dryers can provide safe, hands–free, stress–free drying for one or two pets simultaneously. This method is especially good for cats, puppies and senior pets that do not tolerate high velocity blow–drying. The best walk-in kennel dryers provide easy access to the filter, timed auto shut off and temperature control. A glass front allows monitoring of pets at all times. The average pet will dry in twenty to thirty minutes. As with any piece of equipment, pets should be monitored at all times.

• Keeping the Humidity Down The use of a dehumidifier may

SHAMPOO

SYSTEMS

Shampoo bathing systems can help

to reduce shampoo costs, energy and time. There are

a large variety of

systems available to choose from.

prolong equipment life, reduce drying times and improve HVAC efficiency. A dehumidifier can change humid air conditions in the bathing area into dry, arid air. This helps to dry pets fast and keep a healthy environment for staff as well as pets. A humid environment results in hard to dry pets, rust forming on valuable grooming tools and equipment, and promotes wet pet odors and mold. I have witnessed a huge improvement in reducing humidity in our salon environment by adding the use of a dehumidifier.

• Clipper Vacuum System Clipper vacuum systems will improve efficiency all around. The hair is vacuumed as you clip, reducing the floor vacuuming time and keeping the bulk of clipped coat off of your table and floor.

The constant airflow over the blades keeps them cool, which prolongs their life and helps to keep them sharp. Repeatedly going over the pet with the clipper is not needed because the coat is lifted as you clip, providing a smooth finish. This also reduces the amount of scissor finishing needed to complete the groom.

Your budget will probably determine

equipment choices. Make a list of musthaves descending to the wish list. Contact various manufacturers to get estimates for services, warranties and pricing. Industry trade shows are the best resource for gathering information and getting handson demonstrations and information about the products and equipment available.

Setting up an efficient, safe and appealing salon requires careful research.

Many manufacturers offer assistance in designing your dream salon and may offer discounted packages, free or reduced shipping, or additional perks such as shampoo or other supplies. Take full advantage of their knowledge and, above all, do your homework!

Hiring the right contractor and designing your floor plan are key steps in the build–out of your new salon. Creating an efficient plan and following some basic concepts can help you to create the salon of your dreams. n Kathy Rose is an internationally acclaimed speaker, contest judge and columnist for Groomer to Groomer magazine. A four time GroomTeam USA award winning travel team member, Kathy has designed

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

and built multiple successful grooming salons with nominations for top boutique salon in the country four times and cover of Groomer to Groomer Buyer’s Guide.

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45

ANIMAL HEALTH

BENEFITS, PERILS & QUANDARY

By Bernadine Cruz, DVM

46

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

A client asked me the other day why I inquired at each examination what their pet was eating. What significance did the contents of the food bowl

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Preparing a cat or dog’s dinner definitely provides the pet owner complete control over the ingredients.

It is also extremely time intensive, costly and insuring that you meet the exacting requirements of proteins, fats, minerals, vitamins, essential fatty acids, calories, and fiber for the pet’s life stage and lifestyle can be tricky. Imbalances, especially in young growing pets, can lead to developmental defects and exacerbate existing diseases.

Only since World War II has the use of commercially available pet food become commonplace. Our pets’ ancestors didn’t have gourmet cuisine or the superfluity of treats and snacks... and they did just fine. They didn’t have all these cancers. My grandparents never took their pets to the vet. All of these new fangled problems must be due to the food. A nod to the fact that the lifespan of pets has increased dramatically with the advent of scientifically engineered commercially prepared diets, better living through medical investigation and application of these discoveries.

With the domestication of cats and dogs, they have lost many of the digestive characteristics of their wild ancestors.

Yes, a wolf gnaws on bones and eats raw meat. They also have broken teeth that negatively impact their long–term health.

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nowing what goes into your dog or cat, or the pets in your care can play an integral role in understanding health and disease.

In fact, the ‘deposits’ that pets leave in the litter box or yard can affect the wellbeing of the pets, your facility, staff, your neighbors and even the world.

The goal of feeding pets is to provide a well–balanced, nutritious, tasty and disease–free diet. There have been growing movements in recent years toward home cooking for pets and the feeding of raw foods. Proponents believe that home cooking allows them to manage the type and quality of ingredients consumed. And raw diets are assumed to be more natural and hold health advantages not found in commercially prepared rations. There are definitely some truths to these sentiments and some serious health perils if precautions are not observed.

Pet owners trying to grapple with conditions such as itchy skin, weight gain or loss, poor coat, flatulence, diarrhea, constipation, bad breath, changes in activity level, dental disease and a host of other maladies will frequently state that they have tried a plethora of diets with little to no effect on these conditions and are desperate to find the perfect diet to remedy them. The salesperson at the pet store recommends one brand but their breeder or best friend advocates another.

They are now convinced after scouring the internet for answers that home cooked rations or a raw diet will do the

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The common contaminates in raw or undercooked animal protein, raw unpasteurized eggs, milk and yogurt can include Salmonella, E.coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Echinococcus, Clostriditum, Neospora, Sarcosystis and Toxoplasma gondii.

bacteria, but to a much lesser degree than processed, uncooked meat that goes from the abattoir to market and finally your pet’s dish. If a coyote or bobcat ingests Salmonella, it might get a bad case of diarrhea but with a limited population density, the impact that it has on other animals is minimized.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine (FDA-CVM), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American College of Veterinary Nutritionist (ACVN), the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians (NASPHV), and the American Association of Feline Practitioners

48

(AAFP) have all endorsed the policy formulated by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA); the Raw or Undercooked Animal–Source Protein in Dog and Cat Diets. These groups are not opposed to pet owners feeding raw or homemade rations but caution about nutritional imbalances, bacterial or parasitic contamination, food poisoning to pets and the people who come in contact with these animals, especially the sick, immune compromised, the young or the elderly.

Extensive research is ongoing in the field of animal nutrition, food preparation, packaging, handling and overall safety. Despite all the safeguards that have been instigated, food recalls and contamination occurs. It is inevitable, but most food contamination occurs on routine surveillance and recalls are

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

undertaken voluntarily to minimize or totally eliminate having tainted food reach our cupboards. Monitoring websites such as the AVMA’s Twitter feed @AVMARecallWatch will keep you informed.

Advocates for home cooking and raw diets are quick to point out that their recommended feeding programs rarely undergo advisories or recalls.

This stems from the fact that these foods are subject to very little to no regulatory oversight. Veterinarians are not required to report cases of food poisoning, and many cases of human food poisoning from pet food may be mild and medical attention is never sought or the medical doctor doesn’t appreciate the source of the illness; the pet’s food.

The common contaminates in raw or undercooked animal protein, raw unpasteurized eggs, milk and yogurt can include Salmonella, E.coli, Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, Echinococcus, Clostriditum, Neospora, Sarcosystis and Toxoplasma gondii.

Illness caused by any of these organisms can range from no clinical signs to death. Some of these organisms can be sequestered in the pet’s gut and not found on routine fecal testing due to their behavior of being shed in the stool on an intermittent basis, making an accurate diagnosis difficult.

The benefits of raw and undercooked fare is anecdotal and no peer reviewed scientific research comparing the long term health benefits to commercially prepared food has been performed.

GUIDELINES ESTABLISHED FOR FEEDING RAW BY THE AVMA AND CDC THAT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED FOR FEEDING PETS THAT REQUIRE A RAW DIET 1. If avoiding commercial foods is your goal, consider cooking the raw food before feeding it to your pet.

2. If purchasing commercial raw diets, select products that have been adequately treated to eliminate pathogens.

3. Do not purchase the product if the container is damaged.

6. Do not handle raw meat intended for your pet in the same area(s) or use the same utensils or equipment used for preparing food for your family.

7. Never allow cooked food to come into contact with raw meat unless they are subsequently cooked at a temperature that will kill bacteria.

8. Wash your hands thoroughly 4. Keep the product frozen until after handling raw food. ready to use and promptly refrigerate or discard any leftovers 9. Regularly sanitize pet dishes, surfaces, cutting boards and (Freezing or freeze drying does utensils. not kill most pathogens).

5. Keep the raw meat intended for your pet(s) separate from that intended for your family to avoid any cross-contamination.

10. Rigorously control insects and other pests that may be attracted to the raw meat and could spread contamination. n

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49

INDUSTRY NEWS

Barkleigh Productions and Outstanding Pet Care Collaborate to form

PROFE S SIONAL

PET BOARDING CERTIFICATION

ANSWERING THE NEED FOR EDUCATION & CERTIFICATION

L

ike many industries, the pet care industry experiences constant change and evolution.

With so many moving parts to juggle, it’s important for pet care professionals to continually seek information to help them adapt, prepare, and succeed.

As an organization, for over 40 years Barkleigh Productions has witnessed and supplemented the growth of today’s pet care industry. Between their publications, trade shows and educational platforms, Barkleigh is a leader in professional pet care education, specifically for grooming and boarding/daycare professionals. Barkleigh recognizes the need for more regulation in the education of pet care professionals and already has several certification programs in place for the grooming industry, including international certifications.

The original trade organization for the pet boarding and daycare industry

was the American Boarding and Kennel Association. During its early years, ABKA saw a need to provide pet care professionals with a standardized educational platform to ensure the ongoing growth & success of the industry. The organization underwent changes and the association shut down.

The assets were eventually purchased

by Outstanding Pet Care (OPC) in an effort to keep its important educational platform available to the industry.

OPC’s network of trusted pet care operators and leading veterinarians reviewed the certification material and discovered it to be outdated. Together, OPC and its contemporaries spent a great deal of time, energy and resources to meticulously screen, update and add necessary courses to the curriculums.

The result is the industry’s most powerful and comprehensive collection of information ready to be tapped into by

CERTIFIED

today’s pet care professionals.

Together the two organizations, Barkleigh and OPC, have collaborated to form an educational platform to certify pet boarding/daycare owners, managers and employees called Professional Pet Boarding Certification (PPBC). This certification model will utilize the material owned OPC to educate and provide some regulation to this otherwise unregulated industry. And while the industry is constantly changing, PPBC promises to have the most current information and educational materials available.

C E R T I F I C A T I ON

50

PET BOARDING & DAYCARE

Canine Flu, Cough & More Barkleigh and OPC both firmly believe it’s important for pet care professionals to stay educated on significant topics. Our two organizations agreed that Barkleigh’s Pet Boarding & Daycare Expos would be an ideal place to provide in–person certification

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In the near future, they will have two levels of general Pet Boarding Certification available, which can be completed in person, at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expos or online.

P ROF E S S ION AL

P E T B OA R D I N G C E RT I F I CAT I O N

courses for the pet care industry.

One very timely issue is Canine Infectious Respiratory Diseases, including canine influenza, canine parainfluenza and others. The first certification course that PPBC will offer is Professional Pet Boarding Canine Infectious Respiratory E R T I Fwhich IED Disease C Certification, will equip pet care professionals with the understanding needed to reduce, recognize and respond to outbreaks of canine infectious diseases.

PetEcare different C R Tfacilities I F I CseeAmany T I ON dogs every day, so facility owners need to be informed. When not handled properly, an outbreak can be ruinous to a facility’s financial stability, reputation and employee morale.

Dog flu has been confirmed in 46 of the mainland US States, most recently ravaging California in the areas between Sacramento and Los Angeles. Since February 22, 2018, almost 500 cases of dog flu have been confirmed between Nevada

and California.

An outbreak of canine cough in your facility not only means sick pets, but it can have potentially devastating effects on your business.

The Solution is Knowledge This certification course arms pet care professionals with everything they need to understand about the disease.

The following will be covered: • The pathogens and symptoms of canine cough • How to identify infected dogs • Best vaccination requirements and cleaning protocols in your facility • Available veterinary treatments • How to best communicate with your client base in the event of an outbreak • How to best communicate with veterinary professionals Additionally, this valuable course includes a wealth of resources including

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Products available for your facility: • Daycare Notes Dry Erase Boards • Dog Evaluation Forms

Obtaining this certification will arm owners, managers and staff with the most up to date information to promote the best care possible.

The Future of PPBC The Canine Infectious Disease Certification is only the beginning of what PPBC plans to offer. In the near future, they will have two levels of general Pet Boarding Certification available, which can be completed in person, at the Pet Boarding & Daycare Expos or online. Level one will offer a general understanding of what pet care involves on a day–to–day basis. Level one is best used as a proactive training tool to assure comprehensive and consistent information to all pet care staff.

Level two will provide even more detailed, comprehensive and advanced information for senior staff, supervisors and managers.

PPBC also plans to offer more specific courses, similar to the Canine Infectious Disease Certification, as the need arises, as well develop continuing education courses to be sure all of the certified professionals stay current with what is going on in their industry. n

my instructions

• Daycare Dismissal Forms

Name: Drop-off:

Description:

• Instruction Sheets, and more!

Collar:

Pick-up:

Name:

Special handling notes:

Description: Collar: Bath by:

Trip contact:

WN / NN / ✓N

Perks:

Other notes:

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Food AM:

HOUSE OWN Lunch:

PM:

Amount/type provided:

Treats:

YES

NO

Special instructions:

Medications

52

printable materials to help you communicate with your staff and client base. These valuable documents include: • Best ways to notify pet parents in the event of an outbreak in your area/facility • Informational canine cough and dog flu handouts for pet parents and employees • Daily facility cleaning and disinfection charts • Outbreak response protocols

Pet name: AM: Noon: PM: Special instructions:

YES

NO

DAY

AM

NOON

PM

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More information on Professional Pet Boarding Certification can be found at www.PetBoardingCertification.com

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Not only will this new Activity Page benefit their customers, it can also be integrated with Facebook to help pet facilities raise their profile online locally. With this new addition, RevelationPets.com now offers a holistic online management solution for any pet boarding or daycare business. www.revelationpets.com

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CLASSIFIEDS Five star reputable doggie daycare, boarding and grooming with established clientele. Fantastic opportunity in Reno, Nevada, under an hour to Lake Tahoe. Great outdoor activities. Please E-mail for additional information or questions. georjeankajans@yahoo.com Established 2,000 sf Dog Kennel accommodating 50 dogs can be expanded. Set on 11+ private acres w/ 3 stall horse barn & 4,200 home. Call for details. 732-687-6221.

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