When peak boarding season hits, animal care facilities face a surge in activity and an increased responsibility to keep dogs and cats safe and healthy. Higher occupancy means more shared surfaces, food and water bowls, bedding, toys, kennels, and more frequent traffic through grooming, play, and rest areas. With more pets and more movement comes an elevated risk of disease transmission, from respiratory illnesses such as canine cough to viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens that can survive on surfaces long after a pet has gone home.
Maintaining high standards of hygiene during these busy periods not only protects pets and staff, but also reinforces trust with customers who depend on reliable boarding options. Below are best practices to help facilities strengthen disinfection protocols without compromising efficiency.
1. Prioritize Routine Surface Disinfection
Virus and bacteria loads increase when kennels operate at or near capacity. Frequent disinfection of high-touch surfaces such as, kennel doors, food bowls, grooming tables, leash hooks, lobbies, and play areas, goes a long way toward preventing cross-contamination.
A professional-grade disinfectant is critical. KennelSol® Germicidal Cleaner, Disinfectant and Deodorant is veterinarian formulated and engineered specifically for kennels and animal care environments. As Alpha Tech Pet’s original broad-spectrum cleaner, KennelSol is EPA registered and effective against a wide spectrum of pathogens including viruses (even Canine Parvovirus and SARS-CoV-2), bacteria, and fungi. Its neutral pH and non-staining formulation make it safe for use on kennel surfaces, floors, walls, and equipment without damaging finishes or leaving corrosive residues.
2. Increase Cleaning Frequency During High Occupancy
Standard daily protocols often need adjustment during busy seasons. With higher volume, facilities should reevaluate cleaning cycles and increase frequency in heavy-use zones including:
- Indoor and outdoor kennel runs
- Play groups and enrichment areas
- Feeding and watering stations
- Grooming stations
- Resting and sleeping quarters
Disinfecting between boarding guests and between play groups can dramatically reduce the risk of viral and bacterial spread.
3. Don’t Forget Odor Control
Persistent odors signal more than inconvenience, they indicate bacterial activity. Facilities striving for an optimal boarding experience must control odor while eliminating the underlying microbial cause.
KennelSol doubles as a high-performance germicidal deodorant, neutralizing odors instead of masking them. This supports guest satisfaction and ensures a healthier environment for both pets and staff.
4. Train Staff to Handle High Season Protocols
During peak cycles, it’s common to onboard seasonal workers or adjust shift patterns to handle increased demand. Staff training should cover:
- Proper dilution rates and contact times
- Cleaning vs. disinfecting steps
- Waste and bio-burden removal
- Safe handling and PPE requirements
- Isolation protocols for symptomatic animals
Written SOPs, labels, diagrams, and quick-reference guides support consistency while reducing risk in high-pressure situations.
5. Maintain a Separation Strategy for Illness Prevention
Boarding environments are communal by nature, and respiratory or gastrointestinal illnesses can spread quickly without containment. Boarding centers should implement:
- Intake screening for coughing, lethargic, or symptomatic pets
- Isolation rooms or temporary separation spaces
- Individualization of bowls, bedding, and toys
- Sanitization between individual pet use
A disinfectant like KennelSol makes it easier to manage high-volume turnover between guests while keeping disease risk low.
6. Pay Attention to Food and Water Stations
Shared bowls and feeding areas are hotspots for microbial spread, especially during heavy boarding periods. Disinfect bowls and feeding surfaces between pets, and sanitize communal watering areas frequently throughout the day. Using a pH neutral, non-staining disinfectant avoids issues with residue or chemical aftertaste that may discourage pets from drinking properly.
7. Stay Stocked and Prepared for Demand Spikes
Peak season isn’t the time to run low on disinfectants or sanitizing tools. Boarding managers should:
- Evaluate purchasing patterns
- Increase inventory before holiday spikes
- Stock safe and effective disinfectants like KennelSol
- Maintain easy access to mixing stations and dilution containers
- Audit cleaning tools and replace worn mops, brushes, and cloths
Preparation reduces operational stress and prevents corner-cutting during the busiest weeks of the year.
High Standards Build Customer Trust
Pet owners choose boarding facilities that demonstrate professionalism, transparency, and high standards of care. Maintaining rigorous disinfection protocols, even during the busiest times, protects animals, safeguards staff, and reinforces a facility’s reputation for safe, reliable pet care.
With veterinarian-formulated, EPA registered, broad-spectrum solutions such as KennelSol® Germicidal Cleaner, Disinfectant and Deodorant, facilities can preserve sanitation excellence without sacrificing efficiency. Peak season may bring volume, but it doesn’t have to compromise health or quality.