General Cleaning Procedures
Updated 5/26/2023
These instructions are for cages that have cats in them. If a cage is empty, use the Empty Cage Cleaning Procedures.
1 | Change gloves
Always wear gloves, and switch gloves between each cage that you clean.
TIP→ Gloves are located on shelves in each cat room. If you run out, you can find more in the hallway outside the cat rooms.
2 | Give the cat(s) wet food
Give the cat wet food before you start cleaning. Put the wet food in one of the white/red serving boats. Give one boat of wet food per adult cat in the cage.
CONDOS
It's helpful to place the food tray in the small cubby with the cat and use a partition to block the opening. This allows you time to clean and prevents the cat from slipping out. (If a partition is there, after coaxing kitty into the cubby, simply pull it out; if there is none, use one of the extra, loose partitions that can be found in each room.) Remember to remove the partition when finished cleaning.
SERVING SIZE
• Standard 5.5 oz cans makes 3 or 4 servings
• Tall 12.5 oz cans makes 7 servings
3 | Check for feces, vomit, or urine
If seen, use the whiteboard to report diarrhea, vomit, blood, as well as sneezing or any other notable behaviors or medical concerns.
Always include animal ID# and condo # when reporting concerns on the whiteboard.
4 | Dump water & food
Dump all water into the drain on the floor. Dump all food in the trash, even if it is still full.
5 | Wipe or replace bowls if needed
Wipe out bowls, or get a clean bowl if one is too dirty, such as fallen in litter pan. Place dirty bowls on the cleaning cart and take them to the Laundry Room at the end of your shift.
Avoid tiny bowls since cats are not always attended to in the AM; the water and food will need to last.
6 | Remove dirty blankets
If blankets and/or beds are wet or soiled, pull them out and put them in the laundry bin on the cart.
TIP→ If a blanket isn't dirty and looks like it was recently put in the cage, refold it so a fresh side is facing out and reuse it.
7 | Remove mess and throw away
Brush all debris (litter, fur, dry food, empty food trays) and newspaper into the litter pan and dump it all into the trash.
TIP→ If the litter pan is fairly clean it can be reused.
8 | Wipe surfaces
Wipe surfaces with a wet washcloth or paper towel. You can dip washcloths or paper towels in the bucket of water in the cart at the front of the room, but be careful not to touch the water with your hands. Dispose of the washcloth in the laundry basket on the cart.
TIP→ Fill one of the big, white plastic bowls from the Laundry room with clean, damp washcloths at the beginning of your shift and keep it in the room with you. When you need one, carefully grab it out of the bowl. This is easier than dipping into the bucket!
Never spray Rescue cleaner into or near a cage that has a cat in it. Use water for cleaning. For trouble spots you may spray Rescue onto a washcloth and use it to clean.
9 | Replace newspaper and blankets
Add 2-3 single sheets of newspaper to the bottom. If the cat is a "shredder" and just making a big mess, and is using the litterbox, you can forego the newspaper.
If blankets were dirty and removed, replace with fresh from the Laundry Room.
TIP→ Each cat should have at least one blanket. There is a "Cat Sized Blanket" box in the Laundry Room with small blankets that fit cat condos and cat cages.
10 | Refill litter
Fill foil litter pan with litter to only a half-inch depth, just covering the bottom. Pine litter (bigger pieces) is for kittens, cats who have an open wound, or cats recovering from surgery.
TIP→ Fill a few litter pans at the start of your shift so they are easy to grab and put into cages as you go!
11 | Give toys and/or box or window cover
Make sure each cat has at least one toy and a place to hide. Each metal cage should have a cardboard box for hiding in. If it doesn't, get one out of C1 (they are flat-packed and you will need to assemble it). Each condo should have a paper cover taped over at least one of the two windows (possibly both, depending on the temperament of the cat.)
12 | Refill food and water
Give fresh dry food and water. There is different food for adults and kittens. If there are two adult cats in a cage or condo, they should each get a food bowl and water bowl.
In general, food and water bowls should stay on the bottom level of condos, as we cannot always know if a cat has mobility issues. Sick, scared, or unsocialized cats may need to have both food and water placed in the cubby with them where they feel safe. Very small kittens will not be able to reach the top level, so if the food and water are up there, be sure to move it for them.
TIP→ The watering can is helpful for filling bowls quickly. When empty, it can be filled from the hose in the back left corner of each room. (When turning off hose, please make sure to squeeze to completely empty the nozzle AFTER turning the hose off at the spigot.)
13 | Ensure door(s) is/are latched
Make sure the cage or condo doors are all latched before moving to the next cage or condo.
14 | Toss out gloves
Be sure to take your gloves off and toss them in the trash before you touch anything else!
Thank you!
FacebookVOLGISTICS