What is a Kitten Butler?

Kitten Butlers provide a thorough cleaning for kitten room in the morning and tidying throughout the day.

General Responsibilities:

• Follow Protocols in order to maintain the safety and health of our staff, volunteers and kittens.
• Follow Instructions given by Animal Care Staff (Purples).
• Check in with a Purple when you are finished with your shift
• Honor and exemplify our Core Values with every action while you are at the SPCA. We are a community of volunteers, we support each other and the SPCA Staff.

MORNING KITTEN BUTLER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Clean Occupied Kennels
• Flip Empty Kennels
• Provide fresh water**
• Replace litter (heavily soiled) with only 2 scoops of new litter in the box.
• Scoop litter boxes
• Sweep and Mop the floor
• Wash windows & Doors

Qualifications

• Ability to be Forward Focused when protocols change
• Ability to be on time and reliable.
• Ability to follow written and verbal instructions given by staff and Lead/Mentor Volunteers
• Ability to strictly follow safety, health and assignment protocols & guidelines
• Desire to be part of a team, community and the SPCA
• Good communication skills (remember if you are unsure, ask for help!)
• Promotes the SPCA in a positive, kind, professional manner, embodying our core values!

Training

• Completion of the Online Training Course.
• Complete Refresher Training when it is required by the Director of Volunteers.

Goals

• Provide a clean, safe & healthy environment for the Cats/Kittens in our care.

Required Attire

• Closed-toed shoes
• Long Pants

Time Commitment

• At least one, 2-hour shift per month.

Shift Times

• Shifts are Sunday-Saturday, 365 days a year including SPCA holiday!

CAT AREA MAP

DEEP CLEANING STEPS

1. Wipe out any litter debris with a dry washcloth or gloved hand.
2. Use a gloved hand to dip a clean washcloth into the deep cleaning bucket.
3. Wipe down all surfaces of the kennel.
   • Shelves
   • Litter box area
   • Litter box door
   • Kennel door
   • Kennel walls (ceiling and floor).
4. Ensure that there is no debris stuck to any surface of the kennel. You want to make sure that everything is thoroughly soaked so it can be properly disinfected!
5. Let the soaked kennel sit for 5 minutes. It can sit for more than that if needed, but no less!
6. Wipe out kennel with a dry hand towel.

RESETTING EMPTY KITTEN KENNELS

1. Make sure the kennel is completely clean and dry
2. Lay a towel down as your base layer in the main area of the kennel.
   1. Fold it so it lays flat.
3. Add a cat blanket that covers the front half of the main kennel area.
   1. Fold it so it creates a soft resting place for kittens.
4. Add three different toys
5. Add ceramic water and ceramic food bowl.
   1. Water Bowls should be at least 2 inches deep.
   2. Place both bowls upside down in the back two corners of the shelf (one bowl in each corner).
   3. Upside down dishes let the Animal Care Team know that kennel is clean and ready to use!
6. Place a sheet of newspaper in the litter area of the kennel. (The newspaper container is located in the room).
7. Place a Kitten Litter Box upside down (be sure to not block the litter area entrance with the box).

1. Start by tending to the litter box area of the kennel.
   • Grab a clean scoop and scoop the litter box debris into the trash.
   • If the litter is heavily soiled, grab a new Kitten Litter Box and add non-clumping litter from the litter container located in the room. (Only put 1 ½ to 2 scoops of litter in the box).
   • Check the newspaper that sits under the litter box.
     1. Shake it out or replace it if it is torn or soiled.
   • Wipe out the litter box area with a damp washcloth from the deep cleaning bucket. Ensure no debris is stuck to the floors, walls or ceiling.
   • Dry the area, lay down your newspaper and place the litter box back in the space (be sure not to set it in front of the portal!).
2. Check the water bowl on the shelf.
   • Dump out any water if it has debris floating in it and replace with water from the water pitched.
   • If the bowl is grimy, replace it with a new ceramic water bowl. (Water bowls should be at least 2 inches deep).
   • Fill it with water ½ inch from the top.
3. Check the food bowl on the shelf
   • If the bowl is grimy, replace it with a new ceramic bowl.
   • Any leftover dry food should be kept in the kennel.
   • If the bowl is empty, the means that the kittens have finished their breakfast and will receive more dry food at their next feeding!
4. Wipe down the shelf with a damp washcloth from the deep cleaning bucket so it is free of any debris.
5. Remove the linens from the main area of the kennel.
   • Shake them out (into the garbage can) and check them to see if they are soiled.
   • If they are not soiled, fold them and place them back in the kennel.
   • If that are soiled, replace them with new linens (see resetting kitten kennels for appropriate layering technique!). *Please do not place linens with debris still in them in the laundry, shake out or remove debris before placing in laundry bin.
   • Ensure that the kennel has at least 3 toys.
6. Wipe down the cage door with a damp washcloth from the deep cleaning bucket.
   • Make sure that there are no debris stuck to the doors!
7. Once you are finished and have placed the kittens back into the cage, clip the cage so it is secure.

1. ALWAYS use a different scoop between kennels. Reusing litter scoops can pass parasites between kennels of kittens
2. Change gloves or thoroughly sanitize your hands between each kennel. This helps prevent the spread of sickness between kennels of kittens.
3. NEVER have more than one kennel of kittens out at a time. Kittens in different kennels are not allowed to meet each other (unless given explicit permission by an Animal Care Supervisor).  This helps prevent the spread of sickness between litters of kittens.
4. When rotating litters out of their kennels for playtime while you clean, do a quick sweep up on any debris on the floor. It doesn’t need to be perfect, we just want to avoid kittens coming into contact with any obvious contaminates.
5. Proper Kitten Handling:
   • ALWAYS pick kittens up with two hands- one hand on their chest and the other supporting their bottom.
6. HEALTH REPORTS WHITEBOARD > If a cat has a health issue (runny nose, runny stool, vomiting), please notify Animal Care staff and write it on the whiteboard posted outside of the Treatment Room.
7. FEEDING > only staff are permitted to feed the cats (this includes treats, wet food AND dry food). Please do not feed them.  It is VERY important to follow this Health Protocol!
8. SOFT STOOL > When a cat has loose or soft stools, please use a fecalizer (found in the cabinet above the sink) to take a sample and give to a staff member. **There are directions above the sink.
9. READ ALL SIGNAGE > Pay attention to kennel signs. If a room has kennels, check for labels “Staff only”, “Tuna protocol”, “Bite Quarantine” (BQ): Do NOT interact with cat or open the kennel.  DO NOT take down any signs. Only staff can put up/take down signs.
10. ASK FOR HELP > ALWAYS ASK STAFF OR LEAD VOLUNTEERS IF YOU ARE UNSURE, UNCOMFORTABLE, OR NEED HELP. Let staff know of any kennels you skipped.
11. REPORT > REPORT alarming, confusing, unusual, or aberrant cat behaviors to staff immediately.
12. DON’T LET CATS OUT OF THE ROOM > Make sure room doors are closed before cleaning so cats don’t escape. If a cat gets loose and shows signs of stress, get staff immediately.
13. MINIMIZE CATS’ STRESS BY WORKING QUIETLY > Gently close kennel doors, speak softly, and take care to avoid loud, banging noises and sudden movements.
14. FOLLOW THE TOP-DOWN CLEANING ORDER > Clean all high-up spaces such as shelves and wall cubbies first. In rooms with kennels, clean the top kennels first, followed by the bottom kennels.
15. BITES > BY LAW, ANY BITE THAT BREAKS THE SKIN MUST BE REPORTED IMMEDIATELY.
    • Take the bitten person up front to notify staff immediately.
    • Do NOT touch another person's wound; instruct them to wash it thoroughly and give them the first aid kit.
    • Note: Scratches from claws do not require bite reports.