Checklist template

Animal handling and bite prevention for veterinary hospitals

A ready-to-use checklist with 109 items in 6 sections, covering Restraint, Equipment, Warning flags, Injury response, Training, Records. Use it as-is in Bindy, or adapt it to your own standards in minutes.

  • 6 Sections
  • 109 Items
  • 92 Yes / No checks
  • 6 Scored ratings
  • 122 Points

Use this template How audits work

1. Restraint 18 items

  1. Dogs are moved through the hospital on a hospital slip lead, not only on the owner's collar Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Cats are carried between rooms in a closed carrier or wrapped in a towel Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Exam room doors are closed before a cat carrier is opened Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Two people handle any dog over the weight set by company policy when lifting onto a table Yes / No 1 pt
  5. A lift table or ramp is used for large dogs that cannot be lifted safely Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Owners do not restrain their own pet during injections, nail trims or blood draws Yes / No 1 pt
  7. A muzzle is placed before the procedure on any dog showing lip lifting, growling or a hard stare Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Handlers observed during the visit kept their face away from the animal's head Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The veterinarian is asked about sedation when an animal cannot be handled safely after one attempt Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Scruffing of cats is not used as a routine hold Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Towel wraps are used for cats during blood draws and nail trims observed Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Dogs are removed from kennels with a slip lead placed before the door is fully opened Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Kennel doors are latched immediately after an animal is placed or removed Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Fractious cats are transferred between cage and carrier with a net, a squeeze cage or a top-opening carrier Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Animals recovering from anesthesia are handled with the head directed away from the handler Yes / No 1 pt
  16. No employee works alone with an animal flagged as aggressive Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Non-slip mats are on exam tables and scales Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Handling technique observed during the visit Rating
    • Calm, low-stress and controlled 5 pts
    • Mostly controlled with some risk taken 3 pts
    • Unsafe handling observed 1 pt

2. Equipment 19 items

  1. Basket muzzles are available in at least 5 sizes Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Soft nylon muzzles are available for short procedures Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Cat muzzles or hoods are available Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Muzzles are free of cracks, frayed straps and broken buckles Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Muzzles are cleaned and disinfected after each use Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Slip leads hang in each exam room, the treatment area and the kennel ward Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Slip leads are free of fraying and chew damage Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Bite-resistant gloves or gauntlets are available in the treatment area Yes / No 1 pt
  9. A squeeze cage is available and its sliding panel moves freely Yes / No 1 pt
  10. A cat net or cat bag is available and has no tears Yes / No 1 pt
  11. A rabies pole or catch pole is available and its release works Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Thick towels and blankets for wraps are stocked in each exam room Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Elizabethan collars are available in sizes for cats and dogs for use as bite barriers Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Stretchers or slings for large dogs are stored where they can be reached without moving other items Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Kennel and cage latches close fully on every unit checked Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Runs for large dogs have a guillotine door or double gate so the handler need not enter with the dog Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Pheromone diffusers or sprays are in use in exam rooms where company policy provides them Yes / No 1 pt
  18. Slip leads counted in the treatment area Number
  19. Availability and condition of restraint equipment Rating
    • Complete and in good repair 5 pts
    • Some items missing or worn 3 pts
    • Key items missing or broken 1 pt

3. Warning flags 17 items

  1. The practice software shows an alert on the record of each patient with a bite or aggression history Yes / No 1 pt
  2. The alert appears on the appointment screen, not only inside the record Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Cage cards for aggressive or fearful patients carry a caution sticker or colored tag Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The caution wording states the specific risk (bites, strikes with front paws, guards food) Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Reception asks about previous bites or fear at the vet when booking a new patient Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Handling notes (what worked, which muzzle size, sedation given beforehand) are written in the record Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Pre-visit sedation prescribed for a flagged patient is confirmed with the client the day before Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Flagged patients are taken straight to an exam room rather than waiting in the lobby Yes / No 1 pt
  9. The daily schedule huddle names the flagged patients of the day Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Animals in rabies observation or with unknown vaccination status are identified on the cage Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Stray and wildlife admissions are handled only by employees with current rabies vaccination, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Boarding and grooming records carry the same aggression alert as the medical record Yes / No 1 pt
  13. A flag is added to the record on the same day as a bite or near miss Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Caution tags are removed from cages when the patient leaves Yes / No 1 pt
  15. 5 records of patients with a past bite incident were sampled and all carried an alert Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Records out of 5 that carried the alert Number
  17. Reliability of patient warning flags Rating
    • Every known risk flagged in the record and on the cage 5 pts
    • Flags present but inconsistent 3 pts
    • Known risks not flagged 1 pt

4. Injury response 17 items

  1. A handwashing sink with soap is within reach of the treatment area for immediate wound washing Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Employees asked said a bite or scratch is washed with soap and running water for 15 minutes Yes / No 1 pt
  3. A stocked first aid kit is in the treatment area Yes / No 1 pt
  4. The first aid kit contains wound irrigation solution, sterile dressings and gloves Yes / No 1 pt
  5. The nearest urgent care clinic or occupational health provider is posted with its phone number Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Every bite that breaks the skin is reported to the supervisor before the end of the shift Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Cat bites to the hand are sent for medical assessment the same day, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  8. The rabies vaccination status of the biting animal is checked and recorded right after a bite Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Animal bites to people are reported to public health or animal control as required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  10. The biting animal is held or observed as directed by the authority Yes / No 1 pt
  11. The injured employee's tetanus vaccination status is asked about and noted Yes / No 1 pt
  12. An injured employee is not left to finish the procedure Yes / No 1 pt
  13. The owner of the animal is told about the bite by the veterinarian or the practice manager Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Bites to clients in the hospital are reported to the practice manager and to the insurer per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Needlestick injuries that occur during restraint are reported on the same incident report Yes / No 1 pt
  16. A workers' compensation claim is filed, as required by local regulation, when an employee is treated for a bite Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Readiness to respond to a bite or scratch Rating
    • Supplies stocked and steps known by staff 5 pts
    • Supplies stocked but steps unclear 3 pts
    • Supplies missing or injuries not reported 1 pt

5. Training 19 items

  1. Each employee who handles animals has completed animal handling training Yes / No 1 pt
  2. New hires are trained on dog and cat body language before handling patients alone Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Training includes hands-on practice of muzzle placement Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Training includes towel wrap techniques for cats Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Training covers handling of rabbits, birds and other exotic pets where the hospital sees them Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Employees asked could name 3 warning signs of fear or aggression in a dog Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Employees asked could name 3 warning signs of fear or aggression in a cat Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Employees asked knew they may stop a procedure and ask for sedation or help Yes / No 1 pt
  9. Reception employees are trained not to reach toward or pet patients over the desk Yes / No 1 pt
  10. Kennel attendants are trained on feeding and cleaning around food-guarding or cage-aggressive dogs Yes / No 1 pt
  11. Handling training is refreshed at least once every 12 months Yes / No 1 pt
  12. Date of the last handling training session Date
  13. Low-stress handling certification is held by at least one employee where company policy requires it Yes / No 1 pt
  14. Employees at risk of rabies exposure were offered pre-exposure vaccination, per company policy Yes / No 1 pt
  15. Rabies titers are checked at the interval set by company policy for vaccinated employees Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Lessons from the most recent bite incident were discussed at a team meeting Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Employees who handle animals Number
  18. Employees with handling training on file Number
  19. Staff knowledge of safe handling Rating
    • Described safe practice correctly 5 pts
    • Described some points only 3 pts
    • Could not describe safe practice 1 pt

6. Records 19 items

  1. Every bite, scratch and near miss in the last 12 months is recorded on an incident report Yes / No 1 pt
  2. Each incident report names the animal, the procedure under way and the restraint in use Yes / No 1 pt
  3. Each incident report states the cause and the action taken to prevent a repeat Yes / No 1 pt
  4. Incident reports are reviewed by the practice manager within 7 days Yes / No 1 pt
  5. Work-related injuries are entered on the injury log required by local regulation Yes / No 1 pt
  6. Reports sent to public health or animal control are copied to the incident file Yes / No 1 pt
  7. Incidents are tallied by species, procedure and time of day at least once a year Yes / No 1 pt
  8. Bites and scratches reported in the last 12 months Number
  9. Bites in the last 12 months that needed medical treatment Number
  10. Lost workdays from animal-related injuries in the last 12 months Number
  11. Date of the most recent bite incident Date
  12. Training records list the employee, the date and the trainer Yes / No 1 pt
  13. Employee rabies vaccination and titer records are kept in a confidential file Yes / No 1 pt
  14. The written animal handling policy was reviewed in the last 12 months Yes / No 1 pt
  15. The health and safety committee or representative has reviewed the bite incidents of the period Yes / No 1 pt
  16. Corrective actions from the previous handling inspection have been completed Yes / No 1 pt
  17. Name of the practice manager Short text
  18. Overall control of animal handling risks Rating
    • Safe handling seen, flags and reports complete 5 pts
    • Safe handling seen but gaps in flags or reports 3 pts
    • Unsafe handling or unreported injuries 1 pt
  19. Hazards found and corrective actions required Comments

About this template

This checklist is part of the Bindy template library. Yes / No checks score 1 point when met; ratings score the points shown for each option. The overall score is the percentage of points earned, with N/A answers excluded. In Bindy you can add photos, assign corrective actions, require sign-off and compare results across sites.

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