20 MEETING THE WELFARE NEEDS OF SEIZED DOGS IN A KENNEL ENVIRONMENT
��� THE FIVE WELFARE NEEDS
5.6 Record keeping
a) The establishment must keep a register of all dogs boarding
and information about them. Care sheets, etc. can be
useful in assisting with this (see Appendix V for examples).
The register must include the following information, although
this list is not exhaustive:
i. date of arrival and kennel number
ii. name of the dog (if available), and any other
identification marks
iii. description, sex, breed, and age/estimated age
iv. name and address of appropriate veterinary surgeon
v. health, welfare and nutrition concerns and requirements
(if applicable)
vi. reference information
vii. microchip number if implanted
viii. a photograph taken on arrival and at the point
of the dog's departure
ix. record of the dog's behaviour
x. record of veterinary treatment
xi. record of food, including quantities and times
xii. record of exercise given
xiii. regular record of the dog's weight and body condition
score throughout his or her stay; the frequency of
recording will be determined by the individual dog
and individual circumstances.
b) All original records must be kept by the establishment for
the length of time defined by the licensing authority and
seizing body and thereafter stored/disposed of as required.
5.7 Euthanasia
a) Any animals ordered by the court as unable to be returned
to their owner or animals deemed unsuitable for rehoming
due to health or behavioural problems must be humanely
euthanased. This decision should be made at as early an
opportunity as possible to ensure animal welfare and must
involve appropriate experts and relevant bodies. Euthanasia
must only be carried out by or under the direction of a
veterinary surgeon.
b) When a dog dies suddenly or unexpectedly a post-mortem
should be carried out to determine the cause of death and
identify whether there is any disease or welfare risk to
the rest of the kennel population. Where there is a disease
risk, appropriate measures should be taken to protect the
remaining dogs.
5.8 Restoration to owner
a) Any long-term-stay dog being returned to their owner
should undergo a veterinary examination unless he or she
has been seen by a veterinary surgeon within the preceding
14 days, or is a stray dog.
b) When a dog is returned to his or her owner, the kennels
must provide the owner with information about the care and
treatment of the dog while in kennels. A dog return sheet
or similar could be used (see section 3.3d, and Appendix V
for an example).
For more detailed information on meeting the health needs of
pregnant and whelping bitches and litters, see Appendix I.
Philip Toscano x 2/RSPCA Photolibrary