Working dog care handovers on farms

Identify each dog

Use a clear name and photograph alongside appropriate identification details. Explain which records belong to which dog, especially in teams with similar names or markings. Keep private ownership and contact information available to the caregiver without automatically publishing it in an online kennel profile or shared public document.

Describe actual care

List the usual food and where it is stored, daily routine, handling needs and current veterinary instructions. Include who records care already provided so a shift change does not produce a missed meal or duplicated treatment. Keep prescribed directions in the veterinarian’s wording and clarify uncertainty with the practice rather than rewriting a medical plan.

Cover the unexpected

Name the person who can authorise veterinary care, provide the treating practice and backup contacts and explain how to reach the property. Discuss what happens if work is delayed or weather changes. Use working-animal welfare guidance as a reminder that the dog’s care remains a responsibility throughout the day, including outside active work.

Close the handover

Ask the receiving person to confirm the instructions they will follow and where questions should go. Record any change during the care period and hand it back at the end. Review the template after a misunderstanding rather than relying on unwritten familiarity. A useful handover is specific enough that a responsible relief worker can carry it out without guessing.

Sources & further reading

References for this guide. Rules and services can change; check the responsible organisation for current details.

• RSPCA: Working animals policy (opens in a new tab)

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