This is Chloe...
Chloe works for Second Chances animal shelter as an animal attendant. The shelter is in a large town and mainly rescues, rehabilitates and rehomes domesticated pets such as dogs, cats and birds. Occasionally they see a more exotic pet like a snake or an injured native animal. Chloe's primary duties are observing, documenting and reporting health and behaviour concerns of animals in the shelter’s care, and supporting veterinarians when required.
What sort of health maintenance procedures does the shelter undertake?
Mainly routine procedures, such as general health checks, parasite control, medicated shampoos, cat and dog desexing, teeth cleaning and dentistry, as well as treating and dealing with cat abscesses and malnutrition. If an animal requires major surgery, such as serious injuries from a vehicle accident, we try to transfer them to the nearby emergency hospital because they are better equipped for those types of procedures.
What health care tasks are you responsible for?
Every animal that arrives in the shelter undergoes a general health check. I prepare the exam room, scan the animal, in case they are microchipped, and restrain them while the vet conducts the examination. I then record all the vital signs and other medical observations. After the health check, I give the animal a bath and a brush. Most of them require a flea treatment and a nail clip as well. I also clean their ears and eyes and generally try to make them feel more comfortable.
Have you had to perform first aid on an animal?
Yes. A dog was confiscated from an abusive owner and was brought in with an open fracture on its hind leg. I was working in reception when the animal was brought in. I put pressure on the wound to control the bleeding as best I could. I then splinted the leg while another staff member called the animal emergency hospital. We stretchered the dog into my car, and I padded it with towels, so it didn’t move too much while I drove it to the hospital.
What are your post-treatment duties?
I clean and sanitise the surgery area and sterilise all the instruments and gowns. I must be careful to follow all the hygiene procedures because infection might occur if there is a contaminated surface, or a dirty piece of equipment is used.
Record keeping is also an important part of this job, and I write down all the major animal statistics and the vet's summary notes for future reference.
