This document outlines guidelines for cleaning and disinfecting dog kennels at Orange County Animal Care Services. It describes a three step process: 1) Morning cleaning which involves unlocking kennels, assessing dogs, removing waste, refilling water, and cleaning food pans while exercising caution, 2) Disinfecting kennels after a dog has been released which involves scrubbing, spraying with degreaser and disinfectant, and letting stand for 10 minutes, and 3) Disinfecting kennels after a dog with a known disease/exposure which uses a bleach solution, closes the kennel for 72 hours, and thoroughly cleans pans. The goal is to offer dogs a clean and

1. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.10
SUBJECT: CLEANING OF DOG KENNEL RUNS Page: 1
Date: 8/11/05
Approved: Revised: 12/12/07
I. PURPOSE
To establish guidelines for the cleaning and sanitizing of dog holding areas and to minimize
exposure to communicable diseases.
II. POLICY
It is the intent of Orange County Animal Care Services to offer a clean and sanitized place for
dogs.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to all Kennel Services staff.
IV. FORMS
Not applicable.
V. REFERENCES
Not applicable.
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable.
VII. PROCEDURE
A. Morning Cleaning of Dog Kennels
1. Unlock all kennels, paying close attention to the interior of the kennel, noting if
the dog has eaten, eliminated, and if the dog is in any distress. All abnormalities
noted shall be brought to the attention of the veterinary staff.
2. When cleaning any dog kennel, all care shall be taken to assess the temperament
of the dog, if uncomfortable entering the kennel, lock the kennel, and notify the
supervisor on duty. Exercise caution when utilizing the drop center door. Large
dogs or dogs in distress may damage the door making it insecure. Either reach
in and pull the food pan out with a pole or broom or with your foot, place the
pan outside of the kennel, hose out all waste, food, hair.

2. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.10
SUBJECT: CLEANING OF DOG KENNEL RUNS Page: 2
Date: 8/11/05
Approved: Revised: 12/12/07
3. Empty water pan, clean it, then refill with clean water. The water pan should be
placed next to the step on the same side as the door opens. Close and lock door,
clean food pan, and place it on top of and in the middle of the cage. Recheck the
lock and move to the next cage.
4. The scrubbing pad used to clean the pans, shall not be used one kennel after the
other. Once used, it shall be placed in a bucket of disinfectant and a new scrub
pad is to be used for the next kennel.
5. Clean quickly, yet thoroughly, all organic material shall be removed from
every kennel. NEVER shut the door behind you and lock yourself in the cage of
a quarantined dog or any other behaviorally unstable dog.
6. When all kennels have been cleaned, hose down aisles, sidewalks and front
drains, water all planters, and clean out around trees.
7. Move on to the next row of kennels. Unlock kennels and follow instructions
from Step 1.
8. When cleaning kennels of dogs that are aged, non-ambulatory, or puppies, the
dog shall be moved out of the way, so it does not get wet from cleaning. All
care shall be taken to keep dogs dry during the cleaning process. If an animal
does get wet, it is the responsibility of the Kennel Attendant (KA) cleaning that
kennel to dry the dog and make it comfortable in the kennel. If assistance is
required, skip over the kennel, notify a supervisor and return when assistance is
available.
9. All bedding shall be changed daily.
10. All food pans shall be emptied and fresh food given daily.
11. Hose back drains and clean sidewalks.
12. As each section is completed, check to see which sections may need help to
finish before opening.
13. Return bucket of used scrub pads to Station III for proper disinfecting.
14. When all dog kennels and back drains are cleaned, all puddles are
swept up, puppies and mothers are fed, and as time allows, the kennels shall be
re-hosed.
15. No KA may take a break until all Kennel sections, including cat areas, are clean
and ready for opening.
The idle time line for morning briefing and cleaning is as follows:
• 7:10am - 7:20am: morning briefing.
• 7:20am - 9:45am: cleaning of cages.
• 9:45am - 10.00am: morning break.
• 10:00am - report to assigned section, in uniform, ready to work.

3. COUNTY OF ORANGE
HEALTH CARE AGENCY
REGULATORY HEALTH SERVICES
ANIMAL CARE SERVICES
Number: 400.10
SUBJECT: CLEANING OF DOG KENNEL RUNS Page: 3
Date: 8/11/05
Approved: Revised: 12/12/07
B. Disinfecting Kennels
After a dog has been released, the kennel shall be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized and
all items from the kennel are to be sanitized or disposed of. Never use a kennel
that has not been properly disinfected.
1. Remove all organic material from kennel, using a scrub brush.
2. Following instructions on Froamer, spray dog kennel with degreaser, rinse,
spray with disinfectant, food and water pans shall be scrubbed on all sides and
sprayed with disinfectant, let kennel and pans stand for ten minutes, rinse.
3. Safety attire shall be worn when operating or using any cleaner/sanitizer or
cleaning/sanitizing device.
4. All drains and sidewalk areas are to be sanitized throughout the day, using the
hand held sprayer. All care shall be taken to not over spray, allowing material to
get into adjacent kennels, and causing any bacteria to become airborne.
C. Disinfecting Kennels After A Dog With Known Disease/Exposure
1. The kennel shall be cleaned of all organic material. Bedding, toys and any other
items shall be disposed of or sanitized before reuse.
2. Extreme care shall be used to prevent any matter from flowing into adjacent
kennels.
3. The kennel shall be washed down with the proper mixture of bleach solution, let
stand for no less then 10 minutes, rinse, spray sanitizer, let stand close kennel
for 72 hours, rinse. Thoroughly clean and rinse pans.