Objectives
- Define Climate Control as it relates to kenneling dogs.
- Understand the basics of Air Exchange and why it is crucial.
- Understand temperature requirements and factors to consider.
- Understand humidity requirements and factors to consider.
What is Climate Control?
Climate control refers to the artificial control of temperature, humidity, and air movement.
The Basics of Air Exchange
Fresh air is essential for maintaining good health and well-being and limiting the spread of infectious diseases.
Proper ventilation removes heat, dampness, odor, airborne microbes, and pollutant gasses such as ammonia and carbon monoxide while introducing fresh, oxygenated air.
Ventilation must be maintained at a high enough rate to provide clean air in all kennel areas, including within primary enclosures. All ventilation systems must be adequately maintained, and air quality should be monitored at the animal level.
Between 10 and 20 room air exchanges per hour with fresh air is the standard recommendation for adequate ventilation of animal facilities (European Council 1986; Johnson 2004; ILAR 1996). Ventilation requirements vary depending on population density and pollutants in the air. A facility may require a higher ventilation rate when it is at full capacity compared to when it is relatively empty, as animals themselves are a significant source of heat, humidity, and ammonia.
(Cubic Feet of Room x 20) ÷ 60 = CFM needed on ventilation device.
Ventilation rates may need to be adjusted seasonally and should not be thermostat-controlled. Systems that circulate air only when the temperature or humidity requires adjustment do not provide adequate ventilation throughout the year. Ventilation must be accomplished without compromising the maintenance of appropriate temperatures.
Because canine respiratory pathogens can be easily transmitted through the air, isolation areas for dogs should have separate air circulation from the rest of the facility.
It is normal for kennels to occasionally smell like the animals they contain, but a persistent, noticeable odor of animal waste or cleaning chemicals can be a sign of inadequate air exchange, as can be respiratory irritation for staff during cleaning or frequent respiratory disease requiring treatment of animals.
Exhaust fans should move the air into the kennel and not the office areas.
Air-to-air heat exchangers conserve costs.
Even if air exchange within a room is perfectly fine, the air quality within a housing unit may be poor. This is especially true of small cages enclosed on all but one side (e.g. typical single cat cages). Make sure cages are designed to take advantage of air exchange in the environment. Unless cages are individually actively ventilated, at least 1.5 enclosure walls should permit easy airflow (e.g., cage bars or Plexiglas with extensive vent holes on the front and upper rear half of the cage).
While individual ventilation for dog runs is not necessary except for fully enclosed runs or real-life-type rooms, separate air flow should be maintained to canine isolation areas versus those housing healthy dogs. If offensive odors are noticeable either within enclosures or in animal housing areas in general, or respiratory irritation is reported by staff or visitors, air quality needs to be improved.
Temperature and Humidity
Temperature and humidity recommendations vary with the species of animal being housed, but each primary enclosure must allow an animal to comfortably maintain normal body temperature (AVMA 2008a; New Zealand 1993).
Temperature and humidity levels should be evaluated at the level of the animal’s body within its enclosure. For dogs and cats, the AVMA recommends the ambient temperature should be kept above 60°F (15.5°C), and below 80°F (26.6°C), and the relative humidity should range from 30 to 70% (AVMA 2008a).
Because of breed, body condition, medical condition, haircoat, facial conformation, and age differences, dogs must be monitored individually to ensure their comfort and to ensure they can adequately maintain their body temperature. If animals appear too cold (i.e., shivering or huddling together for warmth) or too hot (i.e., excessive panting), necessary measures must be taken to ensure animal comfort and safety (i.e., adjustments to the thermostat, additional bedding, fans, movement to another area of the shelter, health evaluation, etc.)
Proper bedding materials, when kept clean and dry, can help animals maintain appropriate body temperature.
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