Is your shelter looking for better ways to prevent the spread of pathogens via the shoes of shelter staff and visitors?

A recent study at the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital concluded that disinfectant-filled foot mats don’t reduce the spread of bacteria in animal hospitals. In the study, the mats were placed in various locations in the teaching hospital, samples were collected, and bacteria counts were measured for the seven months before and 11 months after mat placement.

While different areas had different levels of bacteria present, the mats did not significantly impact those levels. The authors concluded, “Further studies are needed to determine effective measures to reduce mechanical transmission of bacteria on footwear in veterinary hospitals,” a conclusion that is likely to apply to animal shelters as well.

Faye A. Hartmann, MS; Allison F. Dusick, DVM; Karen M. Young, VMD, PhD; “Impact of disinfectant-filled foot mats on mechanical transmission of bacteria in a veterinary teaching hospital.” Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, March 1, 2013, Vol. 242, No. 5, Pages 682-688. doi: 10.2460/javma.242.5.682