quality (Hurley 2005). Good practices include improving ventilation, regular maintenance of filters, routine or as‐needed vacuuming to control dust and dander, periodic deep cleaning, and the use of dust‐free litter (or simply dumping dusty litter boxes outside). The best‐case scenario, and what is typical in laboratory animal settings, is for the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to allow for 100% fresh (e.g. nonrecycled) air in each room so that the air entering a given room is exhausted out of the building and not recirculated to another room. The standard recommendation for an animal room is 10 to 15 air changes per hour, but more or less airflow may be acceptable or necessary depending upon the species housed and the anticipated housing density (ILAR 2011). Even when ventilation systems provide 10 to 15 room air changes per hour, this may not occur at the level of the cages or other animal enclosures.
Ventilation may be improved by housing design; for example, the use of flow‐through condo‐style cages, runs (especially the indoor‐outdoor type), or room style housing may help. Cat cages that were designed with plexiglass fronts to minimize fomite disease transmission via contact with staff and adopters have been found to compromise ventilation and should probably be avoided whenever possible unless they are individually actively ventilated. Another reason to limit their use is that they also limit enrichment opportunities by restricting contact with staff, volunteers and potential adopters.
Another standard recommendation has always been to have separate ventilation systems for the various functional areas of the shelter to prevent the exchange of air among them. However, some shelter experts have called this recommendation into question because few diseases in shelters are truly transmitted via aerosolization, but instead are primarily spread via fomites. Though this recommendation seems prudent to consider whenever possible, it is very expensive to install and operate this type of ventilation system. If air quality remains good and the shelter maintains effective, comprehensive wellness protocols, this recommendation may not be necessary for maintaining animal health. More research in shelters is needed on this subject but in the meantime, the author recommends consulting with an HVAC specialist to analyze the shelter's needs and maximize the potential of the shelter's system.
Temperature and humidity should be controlled to keep animals comfortable. Drafts should be avoided. The recommended temperature range for cats and dogs is between 64 °F (17 °C) and 84 °F (28 °C) with a temperature setting in the low to mid‐70s °F (20s °C) being typical (ILAR 2011). However, the temperature setting should match the animals' needs. For instance, sick animals, puppies, kittens, and animals recovering from surgery are more susceptible to lower temperatures than healthy animals. The location of the animal should be considered since cages located closer to the floor are always a few degrees colder than the ones above the floor level. In addition, it is important to consider the shelter's situation, finances, and climate conditions. Regarding humidity, the laboratory standards for cats and dogs state 30–70% humidity is desired (ILAR 2011). Higher humidity (70%) may be advantageous in treatment areas housing animals with URI, whereas less humidity (40–50%) in other areas may help with disease control by curtailing airborne transmission. Though the range considered acceptable is large, a given room should have a fairly constant humidity and avoid large fluctuations. It is recognized that hosing or even mopping a room will cause humidity spikes, but they should be short‐lived with a well‐ventilated room.
Regular light and dark cycles are important, and staff should be trained to ensure that lights are on during the day and turned off at night so animals may sleep; timers may be used to ensure control. The light should be sufficient to facilitate observation of all animals, especially in isolation and quarantine areas where close scrutiny of animals is required. Noisy or flickering lights are annoying and should be repaired as quickly as possible. Exposure to natural sunlight offers the advantage of diminishing disease transmission.
Regular pest control, via means that are safe for use around both humans and animals, as well as all aspects of building maintenance, are also important considerations for the maintenance of a healthy environment. Developing and following written standard operating procedures and daily, weekly, monthly, and quarterly checklists will ensure that systematic schedules of maintenance are carried out.
2.9.2.5 Staff Training
Regular staff training is essential to implement effective wellness programs. Staff knowledge, attitude, and skill will largely determine the success or failure of every aspect of the shelter's wellness program. Staff must be taught how to gather the essential historical information at the time of intake; to attend to all aspects of animal care including handling, feeding, cleaning, disease recognition, and behavioral care; and to offer adoption counseling that will help ensure a successful match. Adopters should receive written records and instructions for follow‐up care with their veterinarian. In addition, post‐adoption counseling and follow‐up should be offered. The importance of regular staff training and assessment, and effective staff management and leadership cannot be overemphasized. The best‐run shelters are ones with competent, compassionate, well‐trained staff that work cooperatively in efforts to provide excellent animal care and public service.
2.10 Conclusion
Today more than ever, society expects high‐quality care for animals in shelters. Indeed, shelters have a moral obligation to provide for the health and welfare of animals entrusted to them. Shelter animal health is dependent on the implementation of comprehensive wellness protocols, systematic surveillance, and excellent management. Shelters must establish solid goals for animal health and measure welfare targets. Wellness protocols and management practices must be regularly evaluated and revised to meet these targets. The bulk of the effort must focus on preventive strategies that minimize stress and ensure both the physical and behavioral health of animals. Indeed, the single most important means of managing disease in shelters is through prevention, which entails implementing excellent population management practices together with comprehensive population wellness protocols tailored for the shelter animals and environment. Staff training and education are critical since a dedicated and well‐trained staff is essential for success. In addition, the shelter environment must support opportunities for animals that promote pleasurable feelings and experiences whenever possible. “Healthy and happy” cats and dogs are highly desirable pets; thus, appropriately designed wellness programs help shelters meet their ultimate goal of ensuring the welfare of animals in their care, which is essential for successful adoptions.
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