Читать книгу Infectious Disease Management in Animal Shelters - Группа авторов - Страница 33

Simply stated, the primary goal of any animal shelter (no matter what resources, philosophy, or mission it possesses) must be for animals to be as physically and behaviorally healthy as possible during their stays. The protection of public health and safety must also be central goals. In this way, shelters also achieve the goal of public education, leading by example as they display good animal care practices.

Wellness is defined as the maintenance of good health. Both physical health and behavioral (or emotional) health comprise wellness. For example, a dog may be physically fit, free from infectious or other physical diseases, but suffering from severe anxiety. This animal cannot be assessed as truly healthy; his behavioral disorder must be addressed to ensure his well‐being. A wellness program to optimize animal health in the shelter must therefore address both physical and behavioral health. In addition to addressing the animals themselves, addressing the shelter environment is also critically important when developing a wellness program for an animal shelter. Even the best‐designed facilities cannot manage or prevent infectious disease and problem behaviors without thoughtful implementation of environmental wellness protocols. In small animal practice, environmental wellness is frequently not emphasized simply because many owners are accustomed to providing a reasonably healthy environment for their pets. In contrast, a structured program to address environmental wellness is essential in the context of an animal shelter regardless of the actual physical design of the facility. Proactive measures to maintain clean, sanitary environments that are not overcrowded, where animals are segregated (by species, health and behavior status), shielded from stressful stimuli, and provided with regular daily schedules of care by well‐trained, dedicated staff are essential.