Whiteboards

We use whiteboards to log each dog’s daily outings and background information to review before handling. The whiteboard at the northwest corner of the A floor lists all dogs housed on that floor; the whiteboard in the hallway between ISO and Stray kennels lists the dogs on Stray floor that the Shelter Supervisor has approved volunteers to handle.

Each dog’s name is marked with a Blue, Orange, or Purple dot, corresponding to the difficulty rating of the dog and volunteer proficiency level required to handle the dog.

Kennel staff are responsible for updating the list of dogs and their color ratings on each whiteboard daily:

  • If you notice a dog has moved to A floor but is not listed, add the dog’s name to the A floor whiteboard.

  • If a dog has been adopted/rescued, erase its name from the inventory whiteboard.

  • If the dog has moved to Stray floor, erase its name from the A floor whiteboard and check that the dog is listed on Stray.

AM/PM columns:

Log the dog’s activity and when the dog was returned to kennel:

  • O = Out; be sure to sign out each dog before you take it out

  • Y = Yard Play

  • CY = In Yard for Cleaning

  • W = Walked

  • SRX = Surgery

Comments:

Add behavioral or medical notes, such as —

  • Fence Jumper

  • Fence Fighter

  • Dog Reactive

  • Dog Selective

  • Door Dasher

  • Hard to Kennel

  • People Selective

  • Resource Guards

  • Jumpy

  • Mouthy

  • Pulls Hard

  • Bites Leash

  • Touch Sensitive

  • Overstimulates

  • Redirects

  • Prey Drive

Naming Dogs

If a new dog without a name at intake is brought to A floor during your shift, you win a naming opportunity! A name that sets our dog apart from the rest of the pack and catches the eye of potential adopters can prove lifesaving. A unique name also helps us track the dog in the system more efficiently.

  • Pick a creative name that reflects the dog’s personality and can make you smile; avoid recent repeats.

  • Write the dog’s new name on kennel card and whiteboard.

  • Take note of the dog’s A# and ask Front Office staff to confirm that the dog does not already have a name before entering the new name to our database. Changing the name on whiteboards or kennel card alone is not enough to finalize the new name.