Dog Handling

Please follow the link below to view our dog handling video.

Link: https://youtu.be/QB1nir2XcGc

TDHS Dog Walking Protocols

Dogs that can be walked by volunteers have a pink “Walk Me” sign on their kennel door. If uncertain, please ask an employee.
Always ask staff if certain dogs can be walked together or if must be walked alone.
Dogs can be walked up and down Mahoney Rd and Caron Rd.
Be aware of your surroundings and have control of the dog as you may encounter other dogs on your walk. Some of TDHS dogs might not like other dogs.
ALL dogs must wear a chain collar/choke chain while on a walk (located in the hallway before the dog area). When used properly, this prevents the dog from slipping his collar and escaping your grip.
Please watch: How to properly put a chain collar/choke chain on a dog. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7IUaCROT9E
Alternately, a gentle leader (aka Halti) with safety clip may be used in place of a chain collar/choke chain if staff recommends this method for a particular dog.
Please watch How to fit a Halti. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQul_CrSqeU
Please note: it is important to position your lead properly for the Halti to work adequately. Your lead should be under the dog’s head, coming up between you and the dog.
Waste disposal bags for dogs are located on the side of the door, always carry them with you while walking a dog. Once used, they can be disposed in the industrial garbage outside.
It is important to wear a high visibility vest, provided by TDHS, while walking our dogs in order to make yourself more visible to oncoming traffic. They are located in the exit room on the top shelf. Please store it back on the shelf when you are finished volunteering for the day.
Staff will assist with setting you up with a dog for walking until you are comfortable with the process.

Cat Handling

Please follow the link below to view our cat handling video.

Link: https://youtu.be/lx1jdbKhwWQ

Cat Care Protocols For Adoption Rooms

Write on the designated monitoring sheets if you notice any health concerns with a certain animal, if there’s an urgent concern, notify staff immediately.
Blankets: Put all soiled blankets into the dirty laundry bin. Fluff and arrange the remaining clean blankets and add additional clean blankets/bed as needed.
Cat trees: Use a brush to get rid of the fur on the cat tree.
Surfaces and walls: Kuranda beds and other surfaces must be cleaned daily with Prevail disinfectant spray and a clean cloth. If dirty, walls can also be sprayed with Prevail and wiped with a cloth.
Food and water: Add additional kibble to food bowls. If bowls are dirty, wash them properly before adding the food. Water bowls need to be replenished with fresh water every day. Water bowls also need to be washed properly. Please only use water from the right tap located in the kitchen or the dog area. The water from the normal faucet tap is not sampled, therefore is only recommended while doing dishes and is not to be consumed.
Litter boxes: Litter boxes need to be scooped daily.
Sweep and mop: Move items around as necessary to sweep and mop the floors properly. All mop water must be changed daily prior to mopping.
Windows: Using either window cleaner or vinegar, spray windows and wipe with a small amount of paper towels.
Enclosures: When the cat enclosures are open (during the summer months), please make sure to clean them as well (blankets, litter box, water).
Washing dishes: Fill one sink with hot water and a squirt of dish soap to clean the dishes. Dishes can be left to air dry and then put away. All liter pans and litter scoops must be washed in the grooming room bathtub.
Garbage: Garbage can in each cat area must be emptied every day once cleaning of that section is complete.
Stock up: Stock up kibble, drinking water, blankets, treats, toys, paper towels, litter, litter pans, litter scoops, wet food, and utensils as needed each day.

Health & Safety

Please follow the link below to view our WHMIS Awareness video.

Link: https://youtu.be/ignZ_jQkZaA