What this policy covers
To comply with the Animal Welfare Regulations 2018, we have policies and procedures in place to
ensure accommodation and any equipment within it is cleaned as often as necessary and good hygiene
standards are maintained.
Cleaning and disinfection are important to help prevent the spread of infectious disease. The house
and designated rooms should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected following departure of any dogs.
Please use a pet-safe disinfectant and cleaners. Each room that has been used by your foster dog
should be checked and cleaned daily as necessary and any soiled toys or bedding materials be
removed and cleaned and disinfected. Water and feed bowls are to emptied and cleaned daily.
There should be appropriate disinfectants available to clean the food preparation area immediately
following its use. Human and animal food preparation should not take place in shared preparation
areas at the same time or using shared utensils. Handwashing facilities should be available.
Although maintaining a hygienic environment is important, consideration to the comfort and mental
welfare of the animals should also be made. Cleaning and husbandry practices need to ensure that
the accommodation meets the animals’ needs and take into consideration the psychological distress
that may be caused by, for example, the daily removal of familiar smells and bedding through the
use of large amounts of water and animal-safe disinfectant – diluted and used correctly per
species. Animals can be adversely affected by strong chemical smells, or a constantly damp and wet
environment. The use of a disinfectant-led spot cleaning approach satisfies the demands of both
welfare and hygiene once the animal has gone through the quarantine period. If animals are
suspected of carrying an infectious disease, more thorough cleaning and disinfection is necessary.
All bedding areas should be kept clean and dry and stored securely, and animals should have access
to a dry area whilst their housing is being cleaned. Animals must be removed during high pressure
or steam cleaning or other cleaning methods which are likely to be frightening or stressful.
Areas where the foster dog has been must be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected (where appropriate) and
dried at a change of occupancy. This should be adequate to protect the
new occupant from the disease or parasites of its predecessor.
Areas where the foster dog has been must be thoroughly cleaned, disinfected (where
appropriate) and dried at a change of occupancy. This should be adequate to protect the new
occupant from the disease or parasites of its predecessor. If certain diseases have been present,
e.g. parvovirus in dogs, further actions and precautions may be needed. All bedding, water and
feeding utensils must be changed and disinfected or disposed of, where relevant). All
fittings should also be thoroughly cleansed (and disinfected) at that time.
Care must be taken with cleaning routines to protect animals from disinfectant poisoning or injury,
e.g. caustic burns to the skin.
The accommodation and ancillary establishment, kitchen, corridors, runs etc. should be maintained
in a state of cleanliness conducive to maintenance of disease control and animal
comfort. All excreta and soiled material should be removed at least once daily or as necessary for
the species, from all living and exercise compartments, and disposed of in an appropriate manner.
The floors of the living compartment should be clean and dry. Care must be taken to protect
animals from disinfectant poisoning associated with cleaning routines.
Working with substances hazardous to health – COSHH
The person responsible for this policy/procedure is: Andrea Phillips This policy has been approved
by the Board of Trustees
Policy approved date: 22nd October 2024
This policy is reviewed on an annual basis by the Board of Trustees
Next review due: October 2025