Animals in Your Daycare?

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

I have 1 dog & 3 cats. I must show proof of vaccines & daycares in my area are not allowed to have exotic pets.

Thanx Tymaboy Very helpful.

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

I have: a dog, a rabbit, a turtle, a tree frog, salamanders and toads. They are all used for educational purposes, except for the family dog!

Thanx Crystal* @ Except for the family dog!

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

When I have people interview and ask, I reply we have 2 1/2 dogs and 1/2 cat. This of course gets a chuckle with a few raised eyebrows. I then explain:

We have 1 (outside only) dog who is a Collie. He's got very long hair, sheds a little, but is strictly an outside dog. If it's dangerously cold he'll spend the night in the garage, but so far this year that hasn't been necessary.

We have 1 (inside) dog who is a Mini-Schnauzer. She does NOT shed at all, and is great with the kids.

We have 1/2 (inside) dog who is also a Mini-Schnauzer. She is my husband's dog and is only home when he is. She spends the majority of the time in the co-driver seat of his semi-truck. She's his alarm system for the truck. Sounds funny, but trust me, if you saw that dog in action you wouldn't doubt me. When she's home she's great with the kids also. She's here 1-2 weeks a month, depending on the month.

We have 1/2 cat. Really she looks more like a raccoon than a cat. She has a name, but we typically call her "basement kitty". She has taken up residency in the basement. She HATES our two dogs. Our basement is off limits to daycare children (unless we're practicing for storm drills) due to lack of egress. They have heard her and seen her. Every once in a while I'll lock the one dog up and bring her upstairs. She sheds tons, so really I don't mind her staying downstairs. Less hair mess for me to clean up. So since the kids rarely see her we consider that a half cat.

As for allergens, we have a friend who is severely allergic to cats, yet with her (the cat) staying downstairs he can come over and is not at all affected by her presence. The schnauzers have hair with hair follicles, not fur, so therefore they don't have pet dander. It's like people hair all over their body. Some other dogs are like this too, like poodles (and I'm not sure which other types).

As far as licensing goes I am required to keep my pets healthy and all of their shots up to date. This is done anyway, but they do check our records. I'm not sure if my county has any limit to the breed of dog, but I know our home-owner policy does.

Other pets - I'm not sure about reptiles, but birds would need to undergo certain testing to ensure they don't carry some disease. I don't think most fish area problem either, of course if I had a piranha tank that might raise some questions/concerns. I'm also not sure about small animals/rodents (hamsters, gerbils, etc).

@1/2 dogs and 1/2 cat. You guys have alot going on, sounds great! Thanx for your time and feedback

[gbcc]

I would share the same concern w/ pets if I were searching for a safe home care as well. This will be our first home and I have a 6 yr. old daughter who wants a puppy dearly but again, I want & need to consider the families needs as well.
Thanx for the feedback

Actually puppies are better excetped than dogs! I rescued my second dog as a puppy and didn't even think to let the parents know about it. Even the parents got excited to come everyday and see our little Brownie! If you were to rescue or adopt and older dog already set in it's ways then I can see parents being a bit concerned because you didn't raise it with the tempermant you hoped for.

[originalkat]

One Dog

We have a Mini-Schnauzer. Our state does not allow certain breeds (like pit bull) and we must have current shots on file.

I am not really an animal person. But my husband grew up with dogs and a Mini-Schnauzer in particular and wanted our kids to experience the same thing. So when we bought our house 2 years ago we got our Murphy. It took me awhile to adjust, but now I LOVE my dog and could not see life without him. He has grown up around children and is really good with them. (Even when they try to ride him, pull on his beard etc...) He is my cordless vacuum cleaner. And sinse I am home all day every day with him, I have become his "master" or his main caregiver even though my plan was for my husband to be the one "in charge". HAHA Dogs know, dont they.

Like Gretas Little Friends said...Mini-Schnauzers dont shed at all. It is awesome! And for those with allergies he does not seem to cause a problem. I have heard that breed be called Hypo-allergenic dogs.

I had one family concerned with the fact that we had a dog since their child was afraid of them. They asked if I locked the dog up. I said no, but I will gate him off while your child adjusts. They interviewed some other places, but returned to me. Their child and Murphy are best of friends now. It took a couple weeks to adjust.

[Pammie]

Actually puppies are better excetped than dogs! I rescued my second dog as a puppy and didn't even think to let the parents know about it. Even the parents got excited to come everyday and see our little Brownie! If you were to rescue or adopt and older dog already set in it's ways then I can see parents being a bit concerned because you didn't raise it with the tempermant you hoped for.

I TOTALLY agree! All three of our pets started here as kittens/puppy....I wouldn't be able to trust an adult dog or cat around the daycare children for a loooong time. Starting as babies with little kids around all the time, the pets learn to accept the handling (sometimes unintentionally rough) that comes along with kids.
Hugs
Pam

[Unregistered]

I have two dogs, 1 rottwieler that is 9 and one lil bit of a dog, I've had some parents be concerned about the rottie utill they got to know him, he's been raised with kids and is very well mannered. I also have two cats and two ferretts, all the animals have to be current with thier vaccines and i have to show records of them. We also have some horses and we've had pigs in the past along with chickens. The dck did get to help with the chicks and to mix the pig feed sometimes but i get permission (written) from the parents first. I've only ever had one issue with a pet and dck and that was a few years ago, I had to talk to the family more than once and finally told them that if the child was 'mean' one more time to any of my animals he'd be terminated. This child was scary. The only time i ever saw him smile and his eyes light up with joy was when someone or something was hurt. He killed one of the baby chickens and was throwing big rocks at my dog. The other dck were scared of him and his paternal grandma confided in me that she would never watch him again due to his behavior with her pets..
My animals teach care and love but also let me know when someone is here (even the horses) and I've learned to trust their instinct, now when my dog doesnt like a kid or parent I take a closer look. Dog's have better instincts...
Oh and this is Kiddiecare..I tried registering but the link didnt work through my email and now i cant post with my username???

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

Actually puppies are better excetped than dogs! I rescued my second dog as a puppy and didn't even think to let the parents know about it. Even the parents got excited to come everyday and see our little Brownie! If you were to rescue or adopt and older dog already set in it's ways then I can see parents being a bit concerned because you didn't raise it with the tempermant you hoped for.

I'm thinking I totally agree with you in regards to adopting/ rescuing a puppy and, families being more accepting to a new puppy rather than an old dog with risky tricks I think we're on to something!
Thanx Gbcc

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

We have a Mini-Schnauzer. Our state does not allow certain breeds (like pit bull) and we must have current shots on file.

I am not really an animal person. But my husband grew up with dogs and a Mini-Schnauzer in particular and wanted our kids to experience the same thing. So when we bought our house 2 years ago we got our Murphy. It took me awhile to adjust, but now I LOVE my dog and could not see life without him. He has grown up around children and is really good with them. (Even when they try to ride him, pull on his beard etc...) He is my cordless vacuum cleaner. And sinse I am home all day every day with him, I have become his "master" or his main caregiver even though my plan was for my husband to be the one "in charge". HAHA Dogs know, dont they.

Like Gretas Little Friends said...Mini-Schnauzers dont shed at all. It is awesome! And for those with allergies he does not seem to cause a problem. I have heard that breed be called Hypo-allergenic dogs.

I had one family concerned with the fact that we had a dog since their child was afraid of them. They asked if I locked the dog up. I said no, but I will gate him off while your child adjusts. They interviewed some other places, but returned to me. Their child and Murphy are best of friends now. It took a couple weeks to adjust.

"He is my cordless vacuum cleaner" 2 stars for Mini-Schnauzers!
Thanx for the feedback originalkat

[PositvityRuLes]

Animals?

I TOTALLY agree! All three of our pets started here as kittens/puppy....I wouldn't be able to trust an adult dog or cat around the daycare children for a loooong time. Starting as babies with little kids around all the time, the pets learn to accept the handling (sometimes unintentionally rough) that comes along with kids.
Hugs
Pam

Totally agree!

[PositvityRuLes]

I have two dogs, 1 rottwieler that is 9 and one lil bit of a dog, I've had some parents be concerned about the rottie utill they got to know him, he's been raised with kids and is very well mannered. I also have two cats and two ferretts, all the animals have to be current with thier vaccines and i have to show records of them. We also have some horses and we've had pigs in the past along with chickens. The dck did get to help with the chicks and to mix the pig feed sometimes but i get permission (written) from the parents first. I've only ever had one issue with a pet and dck and that was a few years ago, I had to talk to the family more than once and finally told them that if the child was 'mean' one more time to any of my animals he'd be terminated. This child was scary. The only time i ever saw him smile and his eyes light up with joy was when someone or something was hurt. He killed one of the baby chickens and was throwing big rocks at my dog. The other dck were scared of him and his paternal grandma confided in me that she would never watch him again due to his behavior with her pets..
My animals teach care and love but also let me know when someone is here (even the horses) and I've learned to trust their instinct, now when my dog doesnt like a kid or parent I take a closer look. Dog's have better instincts...
Oh and this is Kiddiecare..I tried registering but the link didnt work through my email and now i cant post with my username???

How frightening@"The only time i ever saw him smile and his eyes light up with joy was when someone or something was hurt. He killed one of the baby chickens and was throwing big rocks at my dog." I'm sure the children love the interaction with your pets, sounds great!
Thanx for your feedback Kiddiecare