Policy

A committee consisting of representatives of those employee groups who use the program will administer and monitor the Employee boarding Program (EBP). Only dogs belonging to VTH personnel who are required to work in excess of 9-hour shifts or those who may unpredictably be required to be at the VTH for extended hours are eligible. Participating dogs must be fully vaccinated, free from clinical illness and have a VTH medical record may participate in the VTH EBP. Special considerations may be allowed but will be dependent on EBP space availability. 

Guidelines

• Individuals who wish to apply for the EBP are expected to have investigated reasonable alternatives elsewhere before initiating the application process due to limited space.
• All EBP participants will be expected to help with monitoring and enforcement of this policy.
• Dogs owned by VTH employees participating in the EBP must be registered in the program through the application procedure provided below and will pay an annual fee per dog enrolled. Participating dogs may only be housed in the designated EBP areas assigned by a committee member. Dogs that are not in their assigned EBP space must be on a leash or in a carrier. The program does not provide food or supplies for participants.
• When a dog reaches 1 year of age, they will no longer be eligible for puppy boarding and must reapply for EBP.
  • A puppy under 1 year of age, may apply for normal boarding once fully vaccinated.
• Reapplying for boarding does not guarantee a space.
• Cage assignments may shift depending on availability.
• Once the boarding fee is paid, it is not refundable.
• For kittens, reference The Foster Kitten Policy Misc815

Privileges may be revoked if:

• Biting, scratching or aggressive behavior towards personnel, clients or other animals.
• Destructive behavior that results in damage to the environment (the owner is financially responsible for any damage to the building)
• Dogs are disruptive (e.g. continuous barking)
• Failure to clean up after the pet anywhere in or around the VTH
• Housing animal in non-EBP areas (e.g. in offices or laboratories).
• Use of VTH supplies (bedding, food, bowls)
• Failure to comply with VTH Patient Handling Policy #PtHnd907
  • https://answers.uillinois.edu/illinois.vetmedvth/124335
• Failure to provide updated application or proof of vaccinations annually or when requested.
• Failure to stay current on payment.
• If privileges are revoked, and the dog is found within the VTH, and not as a registered patient, their account will be charged a visit fee and one day of hospitalization.

Mandatory guidelines for housekeeping:

• New to the household Dogs, must complete a 2-week quarantine period under the employee’s care before entering day boarding spaces.
• Employees are responsible for cleaning any area their pet(s) has (have) used. This includes: Hosing down the run and/or cleaning the cage of any feces or urine the pet has produced on the VTH premises.
• It is unacceptable to leave soiled bedding or old food in the run or cage.
• The common area in the designated EBP space must be kept in reasonable order by the users; VTH caretakers will clean the common area.
• Any food or edible treats stored in the day boarding area must be kept in a sealed insect- and rodent-resistant container. No food or edible treats may be left open in the cage overnight.

Procedure (if applicable)

1. Employee reviews the policy.
2. Employee completes and submits Employee Boarding Application to the committee.
3. The committee will rank applications annually or as needed.
   1. Ranking Criteria
      1. First consideration will be given to house officers, then other staff
      2. Those required to work in excess of 9-hour shifts
      3. Special accommodations
4. Employee notified of ranking (accepted or waitlisted)
5. Employee assigned an EBP space and pays the annual fee.
6. Employee attends required orientation on or before 1^st day of use.
7. Every participant must apply (reapply) annually and provide proof of vaccination.
8. Runs are to be cleaned at least weekly and more often if necessary.
9. EBP participants may have their boarding privileges revoked for infractions of the policy.

Definitions (if applicable)

EBP- Employee Boarding Program

Fully Vaccinated- for the purposes of the EBP, dogs at 16 weeks of age or older are considered fully vaccinated at 2 weeks after their last vaccinations.

HIS- Health Information System

SAC- Small Animal Clinic

Vaccinations- Rabies, Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Adenovirus and Bordetella

Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) – The collective clinical services of the Large Animal Clinic, Midwest Equine, the Small Animal Clinic, and the Veterinary Medicine South Clinic.