What to look for when you have to leave the family pet in daycare

Kitchener resident Ellie Ross showed foresight in 1999 when she opened her doggy daycare, Wag and Train. No professional association existed and there were no standards. But she’s working to change that.

Ross founded the North American Dog Daycare Association in 1991, which now has 354 members in Canada and the United States. These standards are not mandatory, but provide some things to look for if you’re putting a dog in daycare. Among them are: Facility Requirements

Sealed rubber floor. Train ( www. wagntrain. ca) wasn’t an easy business to start — everyone laughed at her, particularly potential lenders at the banks.

But she was on the crest of a trend. In 2000, Profit Guide magazine voted dog daycares the eighth best industry to enter. It’s the fastest growing segment of Canada’s annual $ 1.8 billion pet industry.

It’s impossible to know how

No exposed wood or drywall.

Ventilation ( critical disease prevention).

Natural light.

Minimum of 100 square feet per dog.

Commercial grade fence, 6 feet high, with no large gaps and chain-link ties that don’t protrude.

Outdoor area with adequate shade, no poisonous weeds or debris. The surface should be non-permeable and be able to be disinfected.

Crates/ pens should be large enough that a dog can standup and turn around. Enough crates/ pens for all dogs, for safe exits or to allow cleaning. many people have followed in Ross’ footsteps, because of the industry’s lack of regulation. When Ross was starting out, everyone she approached wanted to know which professional organization she belonged to.

Ross has tried to change that, founding the North American Dog Daycare Association, developing standards and starting a newsgroup online, which quickly

Facility should have a separate area for cleanup — stainless steel sink for cleaning dishes etc.

A bathing area for the dogs is also ideal.

Standard evacuation plan in place.

Up-to-date records are maintained on all dogs.

First-aid kit on premises and local veterinarian on call for emergencies.

If toys are used, multiples of same toys provided. Toys should be of solid construction and cleaned/ disinfected daily.

Cleaning products, garbage, supplies etc. should not be accessible by the dogs. netted 900 members. She estimates she’s helped open more than 500 daycares around the world, including six in Israel.

Ross offers courses for those starting such businesses and she’s working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and several Canadian and U. S. municipalities to try to regulate the industry.

“ There are a lot of shoddy, flybydangerous operations Staffing

A minimum of two people supervising dogs at all times.

Staff should have knowledge of animal care/husbandry and understand dog body language etc.

Staff must be knowledgeable in vaccine protocols, be able to identify parasites and health issues.

At least one staff member must be competent to apply first aid if required.

Ongoing training for staff members.

Dog training knowledge — obedience to be reinforced in daycare. being set up because people see it as a quick way to make some money,” she says.

“ I’m shocked at how many people think they qualify to be in the industry, just because they’ve owned a dog or they cleaned kennels when they were in high school,” says Ross.

She has a degree in animal science, a diploma in health science, as well as many certificates in canine