Update with pictures

 

Hey all,

 

The Shelter Supervisor Patrick and I had a discussion today about the reactivity in the kennel and shelter stress. It has been a long time since we have had this many dogs. We wanted to remind everyone how important it is to try to keep the kennel as calm and stress free as possible. Shelters are full of all sorts of factors that can create stress and illness, so if we can reduce it as much as possible it can really make a difference of the animals ability to handle the shelter environment for a longer period and can promote adoptability. Please remember when shift dogs or taking dogs out for a walk to take the path of least resistance Quiet time does not mean we cannot get out animals that are hyper or disruptive and need the exercise or take animals out for adoption appointments. The point is to helps reduce the shelter excitement and hustle that riles up the entire kennel.

Some good information:

https://centerforshelterdogs.tufts.edu/blog/make-time-for-quiet-time/#:~:text=However%2C%20many%20shelters%20are%20missing,their%20enrichment%20programs%2D%20quiet%20time.&text=Play%20reduces%20their%20stress%20and,be%20loved%2Fpetted%20by%20people.

 

https://ontariospca.ca/spca-professional/shelter-health-pro/environmental-needs-and-behavioural-health/enrichment-and-socialization-dog/in-kennel-quiet-time/

 

https://www.aspcapro.org/webinar/20180110/animal-enrichment-best-practices

 

https://cdn.ymaws.com/theaawa.org/resource/resmgr/files/2018_files/The_Association_Animal_BP.pdf

 

 

 

I have posted signs around the kennel reminding the hours of quite time.

 

We are also now starting to bring back the closure of all the regular dog kennels extra side in the morning time and they will be opened at the end of the day. Obviously not for the animals that need the extra room like moms and puppies. As some of you may remember the pacing and anxiety based behaviors that is promotes can lead to extreme stress in the kennel. By closing the doors it helps the animal self soothe and can prevent some neurotic behaviors that come with shelter life.

 

With the amount of shelter animals we are going to do a trial run of separate points of entry and exit to the shelter. When walking dogs out of the shelter you will use the sally port(as usual) and when coming go through the carwash station door into the shelter, then through the dishwashing area into the kennels. If you do not know where these are please ask. Staff will have these doors propped open for our work alts so entry should be easy. Please remember volunteers are not allowed in dog Q ,C4, and ISO and try to not linger near any cats. Also as of right now all volunteers and staff are still required to get their temperature taken, wear a mask, and social distance, plus volunteers must be signed up for the shift they are on.

Coming soon we will be offering another dog enrichment, cat enrichment training, dog shelter obedience courses. I will also be moving forward soon with and off site training, please let me know if you are interested in any of these.

Currently I am in search of a group of volunteers/staff that would be committed to help with working training sessions with our reactive dogs in the shelter right now. I need at least 6 volunteers to try to make a dent in the reactivity in the shelter please let me know ASAP if you are interested.

 

Best,

 

Kayla Cardoza

Volunteer Coordinator

 

885 Oklahoma Ave

San Luis Obispo, CA 93405

(p) 805-781-4256

(f) 805-781-1065

kdcardoza@co.slo.ca.us

We are all so thankful to have your support!

 These are some more of that I was not able to fit into the video. Everyone has so much to say and I want to make sure you get to hear from all of them!

More volunteer appreciation

 

Adminsstrative Professionals Day 4/21/21

 

Today is Admin day, if you see any office staff please be sure to thank them!

New staff

 As some of you may have noticed we have some new staff!

Please welcome Crystal the new Animal Control Officer.

Also welcome so new and familiar faces in the office. Shannon our old ACO has came back to be an Administrative Assistant

 and we have a new staff member Kayla in the office.

Thank you!

 Thank you all so much for everything you do. There were so many staff members that wanted to contribute to the video but unfortunately I was not able to squeeze them all in. I will periodically post the others that would not fit through out the week. 

Thanks again,

SLO County Department of Animal Services

Foxtails

 It is foxtail season is here! Please be careful when walking the dogs and check them when you come back to ensure they have not picked any up. They are very harmful to the dogs and can create costly vet bills. 

Training Course

Reactive Rover Training 

There are just a few spots available for the reactive rover training if you are interest be sure to sign up as soon as possible. It is the third Wednesday of every month at 5pm. It works on reactive and group walking skills. If you have already taken it you are welcome to take it over again this way you can get comfortable working with all types of dogs and reactivity levels. 

Triton's Waiver

 

Triton our sweet 3 legged boy was returned. I have been working with the adopters off and on since they got him and she took him to the vet to see what they could do but he would not stop attacking the other cats in the house hold. He has a waiver now stating he needs to be the only cat. 

Email subscriptions

 Starting July 2021 this blog service will no longer support any way for you to receive automatic emails from the blog. I would like everyone to take a few minutes before their shift and view the blog for basic updates before you come into the shelter. I apologize for the inconvenience but obviously I have no control over this change. 

New shelter progress

 There is a new tab on the blog for the new shelter information. One of the post in it has the link to the webcam if you are interested in seeing the progression of the new shelter.

ACO Appreciation Week

 This week is ACO appreciation week. If you see one of the Animal Control Officers please take the time to say hi and/or thank you!