Massachusetts Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Exam

What is crucial to do prior to disinfecting animal cages?

1. Use soap and water to clean the cage.

2. Ensure the cage has been used by healthy animals.

3. Remove all feces and organic materials from the cage.

4. Disinfect with bleach after other animals have used the cage.

The correct answer is: Remove all feces and organic materials from the cage.

Removing all feces and organic materials from the cage is a crucial step before disinfecting. This action significantly reduces the amount of potentially harmful pathogens and debris that could interfere with the disinfecting process. Disinfectants are more effective on clean surfaces; if organic material is present, it can inhibit the disinfectant's ability to penetrate and kill bacteria or viruses effectively. Using soap and water to clean the cage is indeed important, but it usually follows the removal of organic materials. Ensuring that the cage has been used by healthy animals does not directly prepare the cage for disinfection; rather, it pertains to health status and risk management. Disinfecting with bleach after other animals have used the cage is not advisable without proper prior cleaning, since residual organic matter can diminish the disinfectant's effectiveness. Therefore, the first step should always be to thoroughly remove any waste and organic material to ensure a successful disinfection process.