PROBLEM 4: Proper Sanitation Is Not Understood and Does Not Exist

The Standard:
Standard operating procedures of all pounds include a sanitation plan, showing the expected cleaning regime for that facility in order to prevent disease transmission and to create a pleasant environment. Proper sanitation consists of thorough cleaning with appropriate cleaning agents, rinsing, and drying of dog areas. It requires the removal of animals before cleaning begins, instructions for the disposal of solid waste, and sanitization of dishes, equipment, and all interior surfaces.

The Reality:
Our delegation was expected at some pounds on or after October 6. However, some visits were made earlier, due to the Moon Holiday. A great deal of effort had been taken to try to clean up the dog pounds we visited on or after October 6. That this was done shows, at least, that those in authority moved a no- or low-priority matter to a high-priority one. It also shows that dog pounds can be cleaned when a directive to do so is issued. The test is in whether the pounds will be allowed to revert to their usual filthy state or whether supervisors will demand that this "special occasion" cleaning be carried out every day.

Sadly, although, at every pound we visited, preparations had been made for our arrival, with wet cement, fresh paint, and brand new water bowls in evidence, cleaning was often only superficial or cosmetic. For example, in Shi Tze, on October 5, during an unannounced visit, we observed the bodies of three dogs (EXHIBIT 12) left to rot in cages that had not been cleaned in months and noticed that the only water available to the dogs was filthy. On October 6, however, while the dogs' corpses had been removed, the pans of filthy water had been pushed under cages into a corner in the hope we would not spot them. Also, instead of cleaning wall drains, which were clogged with waste and drawing swarms of black flies to the dogs' faces, cage banks were positioned to obscure them.

Exhibit 13 Foul water in a filthy metal pan. (San Chung)

As in other pounds, while large objects of trash had suddenly been whisked away, dirty bins of old, useless, and broken objects, bits of soiled cloth, and rat droppings were left on the tops of cages and simply covered with a tarpaulin. (It is worth noting that within 10 minutes of our request that the drains be cleaned properly, a city water truck arrived and used fixed hoses to do just that.)

In Yin Ko, pitted and rusted cage bars, some covered with matted dog hair, had not been filed or sanded or cleaned but, rather, painted over. The paint was so fresh it was in the workers' hair.

In many pounds, water was black and pans were filthy (EXHIBITS 13 and 14). With the exception of the stainless steel bowls purchased shortly before our arrival at some pounds, dishes used for the dogs, where they existed at all, were made of pitted metal or plastic and, therefore, unsanitizable. In some cases, food was covered with fungus (EXHIBIT 15) after having been sprayed with a hose, and some food contained the hair and feces of dogs who had sought refuge in the pans.

In no pound that we visited was there evidence that any cleaning fluids or disinfectants or bleaches were in use. In two facilities, Sanchung and Shi Tze, old unused bottles of disinfectant were seen in areas where old cages and other discarded items were stored. In all pounds where cleaning had taken place for the inspection, the floors were wet and animals' foot pads and bellies were wet from lying on the damp surfaces (a disease risk).

Exhibit 15 Moldy dog food mixed with feces in filthy containers.

The Solution:
Adopt standard operating procedures for cleaning, and clean cages, dishes, implements, floors, drains, and other parts of the pound every day. Move animals before cleaning to avoid getting them wet, and dry cage and kennel floors with a squeegee or cloth before moving dogs back in. Use appropriate disinfectants, and dry cage floors before returning the dogs. Provide stainless steel food and water bowls that will last, cannot collect bacteria, do not pit, and are easily cleaned.