The Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement is committed to protecting the welfare of breeding dogs and puppies in commercial kennels, and environmental monitoring plays a vital role in this mission. To ensure safe conditions year-round, the Bureau has integrated Kestrel DROP data loggers and the new Kestrel 7000 Environmental Monitoring Meter into their inspection processes.
These devices offer reliable and continuous monitoring of temperature, humidity, and heat index - key environmental factors critical to canine safety. Dog wardens have the tools and knowledge they need to ensure kennels comply with Pennsylvania's important welfare regulations.
Kestrel DROPs are strategically placed inside all commercial kennels across Pennsylvania. Typically hung from walls or cages, these compact data loggers monitor and store environmental readings hourly, allowing wardens to collect accurate data during routine inspections. This is especially important given state regulations from Pennsylvania Code and Bulletin, which mandate that:
The DROPs provide long-term data collection and compatibility with the Kestrel LiNK app, making it simple to download, review, and analyze data on a smartphone or tablet. This real-time insight allows wardens to ensure kennels meet temperature and humidity requirements, ensuring safer environments for the dogs.
While the DROPs have been highly effective, the Bureau has encountered challenges with replacing humidity sensors after 2-2.5 years of use. The Kestrel 7000 Environmental Monitoring Meter solves this issue with its user-replaceable relative humidity sensor, making it a durable and portable alternative for long-term field use.
The Kestrel 7000 combines advanced environmental monitoring capabilities with rugged construction and easy portability. This makes it ideal for dog wardens who need to quickly assess kennel conditions during inspections or adapt to different monitoring setups. The replaceable sensor ensures ongoing accuracy, even in high-humidity environments, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
Dog wardens use the data from Kestrel DROPs and the Kestrel 7000 to identify safety issues and enforce compliance. Key benefits include:
With the integration of the Kestrel 7000 and DROPs, the Pennsylvania Bureau of Dog Law Enforcement has strengthened its ability to safeguard canine welfare. These tools empower dog wardens to enforce regulations effectively, protect dogs during extreme weather, and support kennel operators in maintaining safe, compliant facilities.