Leaving your dog in someone else's hands triggers real anxiety—especially when you're dropping them off five days a week. The right daycare feels like a second home for your pup; the wrong one is a disaster waiting to happen. That's why vetting background checks and references isn't optional; it's the foundation of trust.
Why Background Checks Actually Matter
A facility might have a cute website and Instagram photos, but you're entrusting an employee with your pet's safety and wellbeing. Background checks reveal whether staff have prior convictions for animal cruelty, theft, or violence—things that directly impact your dog's vulnerability in a cage-free or group-play environment. Many states don't mandate background checks for daycare workers, so it falls on you to ask.
Even a clean record doesn't tell the whole story, but it's your first filter. A responsible daycare should embrace transparency here, not treat it as a suspicious request.
What to Ask About During Your Vetting Call
Before visiting, call the facility and ask these specific questions:
- Do all staff members pass background checks? Listen for hesitation. A solid "yes, we do it for everyone" is what you want.
- Who conducts the checks—your company or a third party? Third-party providers (like VerifyMyEmployee or local law enforcement databases) offer more credibility.
- How often are checks renewed? Many facilities run checks at hire but never again. Annual or biennial re-screening is the gold standard.
- Are volunteers or part-time staff included? If they say "only full-time staff," that's a red flag. Your dog interacts with everyone.
- What's your employee training protocol for handling anxious or aggressive dogs? Background checks catch criminal history, but training shows how they handle real behavior.
Daycares that hesitate or deflect on these questions aren't worth your time, even if they're cheaper.
Getting References You Can Actually Trust
A daycare's "reference list" is curated—they'll give you customers who've had perfect experiences. That's fine as a starting point, but dig deeper.
Ask for at least three references and actually call them. Don't just send an email. Real conversations reveal details: Does their dog actually enjoy going? Has there ever been a health or safety incident? What's the staff turnover like? A vet, a trainer, or a local rescue that partners with the facility are also gold-standard references.
Check Google reviews, but stay skeptical. Fake reviews exist. Look for specificity in negative reviews (rough play, staff ignored my dog's anxiety) versus generic complaints. Similarly, glowing reviews that mention nothing concrete ("best place ever!") are less useful than detailed ones.
Visit during drop-off or pick-up time unannounced if possible. Call first and say you're considering enrollment and want to see the facility in action. A confident, well-run daycare welcomes this. Watch how staff interact with dogs, whether areas are clean, and if anxious dogs are being handled calmly.
Red Flags That Should End Your Search
- Staff can't tell you basic details about your dog's day (what he ate, whether he played, any incidents)
- High staff turnover (you find out the person who greeted you last month is gone)
- No clear incident reporting or communication protocol
- They refuse to let you drop in unannounced ever
- Vague answers about health requirements (vaccines, flea/tick prevention)
- Pricing significantly lower than competitors in your area (often means inadequate staffing)
Typical Costs & What You're Paying For
Full-time daycare runs $25–$50 per day depending on your location and facility quality. Premium facilities with play-by-play reporting, smaller group sizes, or specialized training for reactive dogs can reach $60+ daily. Your vet can usually suggest 3–5 reputable options nearby.
Services like Mercoly let you compare local daycare options, read verified reviews, and see what other customers experienced—making it easier to narrow your list before making calls.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a daycare background check usually take? Most third-party checks complete within 5–10 business days, though results vary by state. Ask your daycare how long they require before staff can work unsupervised with dogs.
Q: Should I ask to see the actual background check results? You can't see the full document, but a facility should confirm they've passed and offer to discuss findings openly if anything flagged during the process.
Q: What should I do if my dog had a negative experience at a daycare? Contact the facility in writing documenting the incident, request their incident report, and ask how they'll prevent it from happening again. If it's a safety issue, report it to your local animal control.
Use Mercoly to compare vetted daycare facilities in your area and make an informed decision based on real customer feedback.