Are you managing a veterinary clinic?
Animals and their housing facilities can cause disease outbreaks. Sanitation is non-negotiable. Regardless of your facility size, ensure it’s hostile to microbes.
How do you make your animal facility more sanitary? Continue reading for five best practices in maintaining animal facility cleanliness.
1. A Solid Sanitation Plan
Establish a solid sanitation plan. Your primary goal is to clean and disinfect key surfaces. Ensure they adhere to the standard procedures based on the Animal Welfare Act.
Cleaning and sanitation are different but related. Cleaning involves removing organic matter. Meanwhile, sanitation applies chemical disinfectants to kill pathogens.
Part of the sanitation plan is assigning a specific person in command. Generally, the shelter manager is responsible for ensuring compliance with the plan. They must oversee the cleaning process and adjust whenever necessary.
2. Extra Attention to Key Surfaces
Identify the key surfaces to sanitize. Start with high-contact surfaces for both humans and animals. These include animal cages, exam tables, and veterinary instruments.
Take note of surfaces small or newborn animals touch. Young animals often have no necessary vaccines. Sanitize your staff and animal carriers’ clothing, as well as the intake counters.
3. Using the Right Sanitary Solutions
Invest in the best sanitary solutions for your facility. These are cleaning and disinfecting solutions that pass rigid regulatory standards.
Calculate your bleach solutions accurately. Use a half cup of bleach and mix it with a gallon of water. Check the concentration on the label.
Store your bleach solutions properly. Keep them away from heat and direct sunlight. These two elements will compromise their disinfectant properties. Use only the top-notch Animal Facility Equipment available.
4. Establishing a Cleaning and Sanitation Order
Proper cleaning procedures go beyond cleaning the surfaces before sanitizing. It also covers specific priority areas. Clean and disinfect the areas for healthy animals first.
Move to the stray holding areas. Your final stop is the isolation areas for sick animals.
Focus on the areas holding the younger animals. Clean them before moving to the adult animals housing areas.
5. Train Your Staff
Never neglect training your staff. Update their knowledge on animal facility sanitation. They should practice the latest and most effective sanitary procedures.
Teach them how to use all cleaning and sanitary equipment properly. Invest in quality cleaning uniforms. It protects both humans and animals from microbes.
Give everyone a copy of your cleaning and sanitation protocols. Encourage them to review everything at home.
Develop a culture of accountability. Empower everyone to call out anyone breaking the sanitary protocols.
Discover More About Health and Safety Now
Following these techniques keeps your facility safe for both animals and humans. They’re easy to follow and need little to no monetary investments.
However, keeping your areas sanitary is only a component to keep everyone healthy. Learn more about facility management to expand your knowledge.
Are you looking for more helpful guides? Read our other posts and get more tips today.
