Industry glossary
Terms you will meet in the documents, systems and scenarios.
Statutory hold
The minimum period a stray animal must be held before it can be rehomed, transferred or euthanased, to give the owner time to reclaim it.
Zoonosis
A disease that can pass from animals to people, such as ringworm, leptospirosis or Q fever.
Isolation
Housing an animal with a known or suspected infectious disease apart from other animals, with dedicated equipment and barrier precautions.
Barrier nursing
Caring for an infectious patient using gowns, gloves and dedicated equipment so that pathogens do not leave the isolation area.
Enrichment
Activities, objects and social contact provided so that an animal can express normal behaviour and stay mentally healthy while in care.
Resource guarding
Behaviour in which an animal protects food, toys or space by stiffening, growling or biting when approached.
Live release rate
The proportion of animals leaving a shelter alive through adoption, reclaim or transfer.
Schedule 8 drug
A controlled drug with a high potential for misuse that must be stored in a safe and recorded in a bound register.
Microchip registry
A database linking a microchip number to an owner's contact details, searched at intake to reunite strays with their owners.
Impound
To take a stray, at-large or seized animal into a council or contracted holding facility under domestic animal legislation.