KEEPERS COTTAGE, HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

It is hoped that the staff maintain a motivation level that ensures that they come to work on time, work the days asked, respond well to overtime and emergency cover and that a sense of loyalty can be seen.

Health and safety issues are covered in the induction process, a whole day is dedicated to a new staff member at the beginning of their employment or work experience to kennel issues. All staff have the same induction and are treated the same whether employed or on a placement from college or school. Considerations are given to security of the premises, fire risk, COSHH Regulations, the safety of themselves in handling the animals and the safety of the animals in boarding. Health and Safety Information is displayed in the kennels office and the staff can attend health and safety seminars if required to do so.

Training of the staff is mainly done in-house, although the business is happy to support staff on external courses and do work closely with local colleges. Time off is given for attendance, however, funding will be down to the individual. Some of the staff have been encouraged to obtain sponsorship for University or specialist courses.

In considering the business environment, a clean  and tidy workplace is required. The kennel side consists of 60 kennels of concrete block construction, with sealed quarry tile floors. All kennel runs are made of weldmesh and also have a Perspex roof. The sleeping quarters are 6 feet by 6 feet and the kennel runs are 6 feet by 12 feet. Walls are painted with Duradec, a special paint that is impervious to bacteria or virus infection and is waterproof. Each kennel contains a heat lamp and Hy-Ware bed of appropriate size for the dog as well as veterinary bedding. The kennels are cleaned with a correctly mixed bleach solution that will kill the germs but will not harm the dog itself. A kennels kitchen provides food, a fridge, kettle, microwave, toaster and a washing machine.

When a dog goes out the kennel is power washed and soaked in bleach solution. Outside exercise runs are covered and cleaned with a pressure washer in the morning after use, and soaked in a bleach solution at the end of the day. The dogs are exercised three times a day.

The Cattery consists of individual chalets with surfaces sealed with Duradec and thermo-plastic tiles on the floor. Each chalet contains a heated moonshell, (covered plastic tunnel bed) veterinary bedding of a different colour to the dogs to sleep on, a Hy-Ware round bed, sleeping shelves and window shelves. A ramp goes from the floor to the shelf and the windows are tilt and turn so that the cat can have fresh air, for security the windows are covered with weldmesh outside. The chalet provides a covered cat litter tray that has a charcoal filter and an aerobic/activity centre for the cat to play on. Cats are fed and litter changed twice a day. The Cattery has a separate kitchen, with fridge and washing machine.

The Pedigree Chum dog food is housed in wooden sheds that are lined with plastic foam to eliminate damp. All food is stacked on wooden pallets. There are three sheds, one contains cat food, one tinned dog food and the last one, dry dog food. These are kept locked at all times, a stock check is done on a monthly basis and the paperwork sent to Pedigree Masterfoods.