OVERVIEW
Kennels, crates, holding pens, drying cages, daycare holding areas, and temporary holding spaces can become sources of odor, waste, bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and cross-contamination when sanitation is not handled consistently. This SOP establishes a clear process for maintaining these areas before, between, and after pet use.
The procedure covers routine cleaning and disinfection as well as situations involving urine, feces, vomit, blood, bodily fluids, spills, fleas, ticks, parasites, diarrhea, and possible contagious concerns. It also addresses bedding, towels, bowls, kennel cards, isolation areas, damaged kennels, and end-of-day and weekly cleaning.
A standardized process helps staff maintain clean, dry, secure, and properly prepared holding spaces while documenting sanitation concerns, accidents, contamination, damaged equipment, and required manager notifications.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- How to inspect a kennel before housing a pet.
- How to clean and disinfect kennels between pets.
- How to follow proper disinfectant contact time.
- How to handle urine, feces, vomit, blood, and other bodily-fluid contamination.
- How to manage clean and contaminated bedding and towels.
- How to clean and sanitize food and water bowls.
- How to maintain accurate kennel cards and pet labels.
- How to separate pets when contagious concerns are suspected.
- How to prevent cross-contamination between pets.
- How to complete end-of-day and weekly kennel cleaning procedures.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
A consistent kennel sanitation process helps maintain clean, dry, secure, and comfortable holding areas while reducing cross-contamination, parasite transfer, odor, waste buildup, and sanitation-related concerns. The SOP also supports consistent documentation of accidents, contamination, suspected contagious concerns, damaged kennels, cleaning completion, and manager verification when required. Clear procedures give staff a defined process to follow throughout the day and help ensure contaminated or unsafe kennels are addressed before another pet is housed.
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Salon Owners
- Managers
- Groomers
- Bathers
- Grooming Assistants
- Kennel or Daycare Staff
- Front Desk Staff
- Mobile Groomers
- Veterinary Grooming Departments
- Training Staff
IMPLEMENTATION NOTES
Implement this SOP as part of the salon's routine kennel and holding-area workflow. Staff should follow the procedures before housing pets, between pets, after accidents or contamination, during the day as needed, at closing, and during scheduled deep cleaning. Use the Kennel and Holding Area Checklist and required documentation to record sanitation completion, incidents, contamination, damaged kennels, and manager verification. Follow the related sanitation, parasite-response, incident-reporting, and workflow procedures referenced in the SOP when applicable.
