BGP and Candy Cane Rescue Home Checker Guidance during the COVID- 19 crisis
This guidance and policy is in place as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis and to ensure safe, appropriate and consistent home checks take place to facilitate the adoption and rehoming of rescued hounds.
In completing this document BGP and CCR have ensured that this is compliant with the current Government guidance including the recovery strategy (www.gov.uk ) Phase two: smarter controls, this has enabled the changes to travel which allows for home checks to take place (May 2020).
The home check journey will start with Kerry Lawrence (KL) discussing with the potential adopters all about the dog, how the home check will work and also asking if anyone in the property has symptoms of COVID-19 (these are updated regularly on the www.gov.uk site. Once the interest has been noted then Jayne Brack (JB) will post on the home check page as per current system.
JB then notifies the potential adopters to explain looking for someone to complete the home check and will also briefly reiterate the process.
Once home checker has agreed that they will complete the home check then they will make contact with the adopters and complete a lengthier introduction and also a telephone interview using the checklist and home check form. Notes being made on the form also asking if the garden is secure , 6 foot fencing etc, are there patio doors for instances or laminate flooring and if they have mats down or aware that hounds may slip on this flooring. If home checkers could ask families to take photos of where the dog would sleep, where they would eat, other dog beds these can then be shared prior to home check taking place. Home checker to also ask potential adopters to update should anyone begin to show symptoms and confirm that no-one is clinically vulnerable or shielding.
The actual home check will be relatively short taking into account social distancing rules as set out by the Government on their website and also on daily briefings.
Home checkers are advised to wear face masks and if they wish to disposable gloves, ensuring that after the visit they dispose of them safely at their own home, again in line with Government guidance ( currently states dispose in general waste bins. Using hand sanitiser and washing hands when home is also advised. If possible meet outside the house, maybe in the garden depending on the environment. If entering the house, do not touch any surfaces, sit down, shake hands with the people and maintain social distancing. The visit in the house should be very brief to confirm everything that was said during the call. This Guidance is on the gov.uk site.
Check gardens and again observing social distancing, not sitting down or making physical contact with anyone in the household. Should they have other pets it would be advisable not to stroke them.
When potential adopters sign the home check form place form on a surface step back and then allow those to sign it , again adhering to the social distancing guidelines.
Once home then wash hands.
BGP and Candy Cane Rescue Meet and Greet Guidance during the COVID- 19 crisis
This guidance and policy is in place as a result of the current COVID-19 crisis and to ensure safe, appropriate and consistent meet and greets take place to facilitate the adoption and rehoming of rescued hounds.
In completing this document BGP and CCR have ensured that this is compliant with the current Government guidance including the recovery strategy (www.gov.uk ) Phase two: smarter controls, this has enabled the changes to travel which allows for home checks to take place (May 2020).
To enable the safe meet and greet of the hounds the following guidance has been completed so families can meet the hounds in foster.
The following should be followed:
- Fosters to confirm that they have no symptoms or haven’t in last 14 days , likewise potential adopters to confirm same too
- Fosters do not travel to meet potential new families
- The meet and greets will take place outside of the foster home, it will not be in the garden either
- The potential family will contact the foster when they are outside the house and foster will bring the dog out. The lead will have been wiped down with a cleaning agent
- Masks are advised to be worn during the meeting, disposing of them in general waste bin if necessary afterwards.
- No shaking hands or making physical contact with the potential adopters and ensuring social distancing at all times.
- The handover of the lead for a walk should be completed in a safe environment, a local park etc that foster knows well.
- Once dog handed over , social distancing to continue again as per Government guidance
- Once walk and meet and greet over, advice is to clean down the lead again and to wipe down the dog with wet wipes or wet towel and shampoo. Though there are no recorded incidents of a dog transferring the virus, if someone is asymptomatic and strokes the dog, virus could be on the fur.
These guidelines and procedures will be updated regularly depending on Government advice and guidance.
