Sniffss

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Handover Protocol for Sniffs Small Animal Boarding (COVID-19)

 

Published December 2022 - the below in the main no longer applies, however, please be aware that we may need to reintroduce measures if cases increase again or a member of our family or your family is displaying covid symptoms. 
 
Published: 18th June 2020 
 
As the gradual easing of emergency restrictions begins we at Sniffs look forward to welcoming your pets for their holidays once again.
 
In order to keep our clients and ourselves safe we have adopted the following robust hygiene and social distancing protocols for receiving  a  pet  from or  returning  to  their owner.  
 
There remains no evidence  that  pets  are  implicated  in  the transmission of coronavirus to people, but there is some risk of the virus being carried on pets and their belongings. The risk of human to human transmission remains, however, and social distancing measures throughout the handover process must be adopted to help prevent the spread of the disease.
 
If you have a pet due to stay with us please familiarise yourselves with the following measures this protocol will remain in place until such a time that the world health organisation and the uk government deem that the risk of transmission had been eliminated. 
 
General information 
 
Please only bring your pets to us and collect when you and your household are symptom free and healthy. If anyone is displaying symptoms please contact us and so that we can rearrange accordingly (we have emergency accommodation in place should pets need to stay longer than planned) 
 
- All paperwork and discussion will take place remotely e.g. via email/phone, we will confirm all arrangements before your      visit - if you have any questions please contact us before hand. 

 

- Please advise if you’re travelling abroad and will be subject to quarantine rules upon return so that we can arrange for a       longer stay to accommodate this. 

 

- Please ensure that balance payment is paid remotely before drop off we will send details prior to drop off.                        We will require a copy of vaccinations for rabbits to be sent electronically before you arrive. 

- We will ensure good hygiene practices whilst your pets are with us as we always have done such as using pet safe               disinfectants in all areas / on equipment when cleaning, ensuring extra thorough cleaning between guests. Extra                 precautions include washing / sanitising hands after handling each animal or their equipment to limit transfer of virus on     fur, limiting handling of anything else, such as phones or touching  face, during any time of contact among others. If             anyone in my household displays symptoms we will immediately self isolate and have emergency assistance in place to         facilitate drop off and collections.  
 
 
Drop off arrangements
 
- Appointment times for drop off must be strictly adhered to, so that we can ensure social distancing is maintained and        don’t have cross over of clients, please contact us if you can no longer make your slot- please note if your booking is          already in place we may need to move your times slightly to comply with this, we will be in touch with individuals if this is    necessary.  

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 - Only one person per household to drop off.  

 

 - All animals must be brought in a carrier that is easy to clean e.g. hard plastic rather than fabric/ cardboard. 

 

 - Please only bring with you any essential equipment/medication we will supply all –bowls/bottles/litter trays/toys.

 

 -  If bringing your own cage for boarding, please ensure that the pet is brought to us in a separate carrier and that the cage     is clean and devoid of bedding. Once handover is complete we will clean all equipment/cage and set up with bedding           before introducing your pet back into their cage. If specific bedding is required please advise before hand and we will           ensure supply is purchased.  

 

 - Please wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water or use hand sanitiser before coming to drop off your pet (we     will do the same).  

 

 - Due to current social distancing requirements regretfully we cannot permit access inside the boarding facility, therefore,      handovers will occur outside in the garden, you should put your pet in a secure carrier, place them and any required            equipment down on the handover station we have provided and then step away in order for us to collect them.  

 

 - We know that a lot of you like to settle your pets in and say your goodbyes - as this is not possible at the moment we        will provide a photo/video of your settled pets after drop off. If you would like this please request before drop off and          provide email/phone number for us to use.  

 

 - When collecting your carrier we will wipe it down before taking the animal. Once your pet is settled carriers will be washed     with soap and water once away from the animal and safe to do so.

- In very rare circumstances there may be a  reason handover has to occur within the premises, in this case face masks          should be worn by both parties at the point of transfer. After removing the pet from the carrier we will leave them to            settle. 
 
Collecting your pets 

 

 - Again please arrive at the agreed time or contact us if you need to amend.  

 

 - Only one person per household for collection.  

 

 - We will put your pet in their carrier and leave them at the handover point, then step away to allow you to collect them. 

 

 - On collecting you should consider the following: 

              * Wearing gloves if you wish/cleaning hands using hand sanitiser.  

              * Wiping the carrier before taking the animal. (We will provide wipes for this purpose).  

              * The carrier and equipment should be washed with soap and water once away from the animal and safe to do so.            * Ensure that you and your family wash their hands after handling pets as there is some evidence that covid-19                     can survive on fur. 
 
This advice has been adapted from CFSG guidance