Malys Cuts for Mutts

Malys Vuts for Mutts

Face Mask are Mandatory

As per new government guidelines please ensure that you are wearing a mask when dropping off and collecting your dog. Sam (shown above) has kindly demonstrated how to wear your mask to ensure everyone remains safe.

NHS Track and Trace

Malys Cuts for Mutts is now registered for the NHS Track and Trace. Yes, it's Optional but if you have the App please use it. (The above is not the QR Code for Malys so please do not try and scan it)

COVID-19 – ADVICE FOR ANIMAL RELATED BUSINESSES AND LOCAL AUTHORITIES IN ENGLAND

24th December 2020 (This guidance is subject to change depending on Government advice)

Introduction

This guidance has been updated in the light of revised Government advice (24.12.20) on Coronavirus to balance public health protection requirements and the need for businesses to keep working. There remains no evidence that pets are implicated in the transmission of Coronavirus to people and infection of the pet is rare, but that there is some risk of virus potentially being carried from person to person on pets and their belongings although scientific assessment is now that such transmission is relatively unlikely. There have been some rare instances where infected owners have passed on the infection to their pets but there remains no evidence of onward transmission and the main route of transmission remains person-to-person. However, the risk of transmission between infected clients and business staff remains and the disease status of the client, if known, will assist in risk assessment.

The introduction of the Tier system means different rules apply in different areas. If you live in Tier 4 you must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except where you have a ‘reasonable excuse’. A reasonable excuse includes attending the care and exercise of an animal, or veterinary services. You can leave home for work purposes.

The status of a household is an important element of risk assessment. Clearly, contact with an infected or self-isolating household carries a higher risk than with any other. The risk to the household of vulnerable people is greater and therefore requires more precautions. As there is some possibility of the pet carrying virus between households it is appropriate to evaluate the risk in each circumstance to minimise the public health consequences. It is inevitable that the status of a household regarding coronavirus can change from one group to another and that the precautions suitable for the pet will change at the same time.

The simple precaution of washing hands for twenty (20) seconds, or using hand sanitiser, as frequently as possible should now be intrinsic in every activity. Therefore, in this advice document, it is assumed that hand sanitisation or washing, and social distancing, are included in all activities. Guidance on the wearing of face masks should also be consulted.

There is a separate protocol that should also be used when handing over dogs between a business and the client.

Social distancing rules must be observed throughout every activity. While social distancing advice has been revised, 2m between individuals should be adhered to where possible. If at all possible, and if it is safe to do so, any handovers should be done outside. Risk assessments need to be undertaken to ensure the business is working in a safe way to protect members of staff and the public. The principles have been set out by the government here.

The government has introduced additional rules on the use of face coverings and full details of them and exemptions and other relevant information can be found here. Apart from veterinary practices, animal activities are not specifically covered but for any activity indoors where business owners and staff interact with clients, both must wear a face covering. Whilst this is not specifically mandatory for staff, it is advisable for their protection under Health and Safety legislation and does not alter the necessity for social distancing and the use of one-way systems where appropriate. Where social distancing can be maintained outdoors the use of face coverings is not necessary although it is still advised. Hands should be washed, or hand sanitiser used before putting a face covering on and after taking it off. Touching the eyes, nose, or mouth is to be avoided and used face coverings should be stored in a plastic bag until they can be washed or disposed of. Single-use disposable masks should be disposed of appropriately after use. Re-useable masks should be washed and dried regularly.

According to the regulations, it is acceptable (amongst other reasons) for people to leave their homes if it is reasonably necessary for them to do so for the purpose of caring for or exercising their pet. Full guidance is on the government website. A journey may therefore be reasonably necessary for these purposes, and journeys in the course of business are allowed.

In all circumstances where payment is included in a process, the use of cash should be avoided. Where possible payment should be made using a credit or debit card or by electronic banking.

GROOMERS

Tier 4:

Groomers may accept a dog to be groomed by appointment for welfare but not aesthetic reasons. The necessity for an appointment is to ensure social distancing between clients. If dogs are brought to site owners should remain in their vehicles until staff are ready to accept their dog. The business handover protocol set out by CFSG should be followed and should take place in an outdoor space large enough for the client and staff to maintain their social distance.

Groomers can collect dogs from client’s homes as long as they can disinfect their vehicle between collections. Pets from infected or self-isolating households should be collected separately from other dogs in different journeys and after pets from other non-infected households. Groomers should assess whether the grooming can be delayed until the household is clear to reduce the risk to themselves and their staff. Social distancing should be maintained at all times and business handover protocol set out by CFSG should be followed with the owner retaining all equipment such as leads.

Tiers 1-3:

An owner may take a pet to be groomed by appointment if the grooming is necessary for welfare rather than aesthetic reasons. The necessity for an appointment is to ensure social distancing between clients. If dogs are brought to site owners should remain in their vehicles until staff are ready to accept their dog. The business handover protocol set out by CFSG should be followed and should take place in an outdoor space large enough for the client and staff to maintain their social distance.

Groomers can collect dogs from client’s homes as long as they can disinfect their vehicle between collections. Pets from infected or self-isolating households should be collected separately from other dogs in different journeys and after pets from other non-infected households. Groomers should assess whether the grooming can be delayed until the household is clear to reduce the risk to themselves and their staff. Social distancing should be maintained at all times and the business handover protocol set out by CFSG should be followed with the owner retaining all equipment such as leads.

KEEPING YOUR PET BUSINESS SAFE

Pet Handover Protocol May 2020

As many pet businesses return to work, with the gradual easing of emergency restrictions, robust hygiene and social distancing protocols must be adopted when receiving a pet from or returning to their owner. There remains no evidence that pets are implicated in the transmission of coronavirus to people, but there is some risk of the virus being carried on pets and their belongings. The risk of human to human transmission remains, however, and social distancing measures throughout the handover process must be adopted to help prevent the spread of the disease. The measures set out below should be considered by each pet business during every handover, and be used to inform your business’s risk assessment with regard to each type of individual and household you encounter during your work. You should ascertain the health status of each household before agreeing to care for the pet. When receiving a pet from the owner where the status of the household is healthy

• Agree times or book appointments with clients to ensure that you only deal with one customer at a time.

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water or use hand sanitiser before going to collect or receive the pet.

• Determine a way to receive or return the pet in a manner that maintains a 2-metre distance (1-metre plus with protection)and if possible hand over the pet in an outside secure area.

• If safe to do so, dogs should be securely tied to a fixed object such as a hook whilst the owner retreats 2 metres (1-metre plus with protection) and the staff move forward to attach the business lead and take ownership of the dog. Once the staff have moved back the owner then retrieves their lead.

The reverse procedure is used to return the dog.

• If handover occurs within the premises, face masks should be worn by both parties at the point of transfer and if entering someone else’s home, you should ask them to open and close the doors for you.

• Use different equipment to the owner’s where possible. If you have to use the owner’s equipment, such as a carrier, the collector should wear gloves and wipe the equipment before taking the animal. The equipment should be washed with soap and water once away from the animal and safe to do so. The reverse should be done when returning the animal.

• Wipe the pet with a pet-safe damp cloth at the point of collection or drop off. All wipes or cloths should be disposed of immediately after use.

• Limit handling of anything else, such as your phone and your face, during any time of contact.

• Wash your hands for 20 seconds using soap and water or hand sanitiser once you have returned the pet.

• If you are transporting pets, disinfect any surfaces that the pet(s) has come into contact within your vehicle with a pet-safe disinfectant spray and/or wipe surfaces, before transporting other pets. When receiving a pet from a shielded person or someone who has, or is suspected of having Coronavirus:

• If taking animals from an infected or vulnerable household, do not mix them with animals from other households and collect them after all other animals.

• Avoid any contact with occupants of the home, maintain 2-metres (1-metre plus with protection) distance at all times and if possible, avoid entering the home.

• If walking a dog for an owner keep them on a lead in public spaces to avoid other pets and people touching them in case the virus is on their fur.