VTH Kitten Foster Program

Implementation Date: 10/05/2022

Date of Last Revision: 10/05/2022

Next Review Due: 10/04/2025

 

Reviewed by VTH Administrative Team: 10/02/2022

Reviewed by VTH Board: N/A

 

Reviewed by VTH Employee Boarding Committee: 10/05/2022

Reviewed by Biosecurity Subcommittee: N/A

Subject to modification by the VTH Director without approval.

Policy

The Employee Boarding Program (EBP) committee will administer and monitor the Kitten Foster Program (KFP). Only non-self-sustaining kittens being fostered by approved VTH personnel are eligible.Participants must register kittens in the VTH Health Information System as their own pet in order to participate. Care for kittens will only be permitted by VTH personnel approved to foster and only permitted during VTH personnel unpaid break time. Special considerations may be allowed but will be dependent onspace availability.

Guidelines

The foster person must:

• Understand and follow the policy
• Be working with an approved foster group or rescue
• Assume responsibility of care for the kitten(s)
• Register each kitten in their own HIS account
• Fill out and turn in the employee boarding application
  o Include the amount of time and space needed 
• Avoid engaging other VTH personnel in tending to the kittens in their care
• Pay the EBP fee

Kittens must:

• Be free of transmissible disease
  o Diseases such as upper respiratory infections will not be allowed in the program
• Be up to date with age-appropriate health care such as vaccinations and deworming
• Not be weaned from a bottle or transitioning to kibble 
  o Typically expected to be weaned by 8-10 weeks of age
  o Kittens that can thrive on their own will not be a special consideration and will not be allowed in the program
• Participating kittens must be housed in the approved EBP space assigned by the EBP committee and must remain in the approved EBP space while they are in the VTH. They may not be transported around the hospital and in clinical spaces. When kittens are transported to the EBP space, they must remain in a carrier. 
• The program does not provide food or supplies for participants.
• All participants will be expected to help with monitoring and reporting of infractions of this policy to the committee. 
• Potential adoptions and meeting of kittens must occur outside the VTH premises. 

Privileges may be revoked if:

• Animals are disruptive to normal Veterinary Teaching Hospital (VTH) operations or instructional activities (e.g., kittens being carried around the hospital).
• Kittens do not remain housed in the EBP space throughout their stay. They may not visit other areas of the hospital. 
• Other staff members are found entering the EBP space to look at or care for the kittens. 
• The approved fosterer is found to be caring for kittens during their paid work time. 
• There is failure to clean up after the animal anywhere in or around the VTH.
• The animal is housed in non-EBP areas (e.g., office, laboratory, clinical space).
• VTH supplies (bedding, food, bowls) are inappropriately used. 
• There is failure to comply with VTH Patient Handling Policy #PtHnd907
• The participant fails to provide updated application or proof of age-appropriate health care. 

Mandatory guidelines for housekeeping:

• Employees are responsible for cleaning any area their fosters have been. This includes cleaning and disinfecting the cage, table, and surfaces.
• It is unacceptable to leave soiled bedding or old food in the 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 EBP application to the committee.
3. The committee will review space availability.
4. Employee is notified if space is available.
5. Employee assigned an EBP space and pays the annual fee.
6. Employee attends required orientation on or before 1st day of use. 
7. Every participate must apply (reapply) annually
8. Every participate must provide information about the foster(s) and the need every time there is a new foster or need, and must receive approval from the committee.
9. Cages are to be thoroughly cleaned daily and more often if necessary

Definitions (if applicable)

EBP- Employee Boarding Program

HIS- Health Information System

KFP- Kitten Foster Program

SAC- Small Animal Clinic

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.