Here's an average morning in kennels
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes at a rehoming centre? Join us for a morning in kennels!
A morning in kennels is a BIG job for our Canine Carers, who work seamlessly to get multiple duties complete, before we open to the public in the afternoon.
Sticking to a routine helps the rehoming centre run smoothly, while it can also benefit the dogs; putting them at ease with a feeling of consistency.
We have 52 kennels at Shoreham, divided into 4 separate ‘blocks’, and Canine Carers are responsible for around 10 dogs each day.
Here's an average morning in kennels
- A morning briefing: where each member of the team is made aware of anything important that is due to be happening that day. We discuss whether any dogs will need to be taken extra care of (e.g., for behaviour reasons), whether a dog may need to visit the vets, the time that a dog will be leaving for their forever home (woohoo), as well as appointment times for dogs coming into our care, and for dogs who are meeting potential adopters.
- Collect the medication buckets for each ‘block’: many of the dogs in our care require daily medication, so we are careful to separate and organise accordingly, as well as lock them away safely after we are finished with them for the day.
- A quick/ first check in on all the dogs: to make sure that the dogs are all looking well and spritely. We will report immediately if they are looking a little ‘under the weather’.
- Get ourselves ready for the day ahead: with all the equipment that we need, including our boots, radio’s, bumbag, and any other stock like treats and poo-bags!
- Check the notes in our ‘block diary’: we look out for any significant things that may have happened from the day before. The most important notes are highlighted; containing information such as behaviour or general health concerns.
- Begin making up the breakfast: each of our dogs have a tailored meal-plan, according to their weight, breed and health. We look at our food list to see which dog needs what food and will administer any medication.
- Feed the dogs their breakfast: but only once their poop has been picked up if they have toileted in their kennel!
- Juggle between getting dogs out and cleaning their kennels: our kennels are designed in two halves, which is helpful to us if we need to work around the dog while cleaning. We can either shut them in one half while we clean the other, take the dog to a secure, outdoor compound while we get on with cleaning, or ask a colleague for help to clean while we get the dog out.
- Scrub, scrub, scrub: we clean and tidy each of the kennels thoroughly in the morning. For particularly dirty kennels, we pick up any poop, disinfect the area, scrub with a hard brush, hose it all down, and scrape it dry. We make sure to check their bedding in case they’ve toileted in it, or made holes in it, and if so, will make up their beds with fresh blankets.
- We get through LOADS of laundry: as you can imagine, our laundry pile is huge by the end of the morning! Our washing machines are always whirring throughout the day, and we are very lucky to have an amazing team of volunteers, who help us to keep on top of it all.
- Each of the dogs will enjoy a morning outing: we have six different fields to choose from, as well as various compounds (sand, patio, and astro) and a fun ‘playground’ area.
- Stock up and finish up on our block: to ensure we have everything we need throughout the day (and enough bits and pieces for the next morning) we stock up on bin-bags, blankets, towels, cleaning equipment, poo-bags, and treats. We will also clean the pathway that leads to the kennels, empty the poo-bucket into the sluice, lock each of the kennels and the doors on our block.
- Wash up all the bowls from breakfast: we usually soak all the empty bowls in disinfectant, and then wash them up to be used again later.
- Begin making up even MORE food: instead of making our dogs their feeds as and when it’s time, we prepare them early; weighing out the correct amount of biscuits for each dog. We prepare a bowl for lunch and dinner for that day, and breakfast for the next morning. However, we only put in ‘wet food’ or tin, when we are ready to feed them.
- Note down information: after all our dogs have been fed, walked and their kennels cleaned, we note down any general or important information. We like to make note of where they have been, so that we can mix up their day and take them somewhere different later.
- Clean any additional areas: before welcoming the public on-site, we make sure that all areas are clean and tidy.
- Do a last check on our dogs: making sure that each of them are settled and that everything is completely locked up.
- Then it’s time for our lunch: we have a cuppa, put our feet up, and get ready for an afternoon of fun, more walks, training and enrichment!
We hope you’ve enjoyed this insight into what our canine carers and dogs get up to in the early hours of the day.
Please see all the dogs who are currently looking for their forever home at Shoreham, or look at our current vacancies if you think you’d like to join our team.
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