As the largest and leading provider of dog daycare in North America, Dogtopia knows what it takes to make dog wellness a priority. A distinguishing factor that sets us apart from others in the industry is the health and safety measures we’ve implemented throughout our 270+ facilities.

When pet parents choose Dogtopia, they trust us with the wellbeing of their dog—a responsibility that our teams take seriously. Some of the latest reports tell us that 87% of U.S. pet parents consider their pet a part of their family, and 51% say their pet is just as much a family member as the human members. A 2022 survey for the American Heart Association’s Healthy Bond for Life™ initiative found that 69% of pet parents reported they take better care of their pets than they do themselves.

While responsible pet parents deeply care for their pups, more than half feel guilty when they have to leave their pet alone for long periods of time. At Dogtopia, we’ve incorporated several measures to make daycare one less thing for pet parents to worry about and allow our network of franchisees to help meet the needs of their current and prospective customers. Here are some of ways our Dogtopia daycares prioritize health and safety for dogs and stand out from the rest.

EMPLOYING SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS

At Dogtopia, we have three subject matter experts on our team: a practicing veterinarian, a director of health & safety who is an experienced animal biologist and environmental scientist, and a dog trainer who is credentialed through the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers®. Drawing from their extensive industry experience, they have helped Dogtopia develop the most rigorous health and safety procedures in the pet services industry.

Having our own subject matter experts means they thoroughly understand our brand, dog wellbeing, and the desires of pet parents, allowing us to recognize and evolve with the changing needs of the industry. Our franchisees can feel confident that the practices we have in place are continually being evaluated and improved to meet customer needs and keep dogs happy and healthy.

MEET & GREET EVALUATION

To maintain a safe environment, all our franchise locations must conduct a Meet & Greet evaluation for new canine guests, which tells our franchisees and their team if a dog is a good fit for our off-leash, open-play environment.

To start, a team of evaluators at each facility conducts a health history overview and nose-to-tail evaluation of the pup to assess any health concerns. They will then create a mini play space with other like-minded dogs to observe how they respond and test out crate comfortability. Dogtopia franchises only accept dogs that are at least 12 weeks old, spayed/neutered (if seven months and older), free of any communicable conditions, non-aggressive and not food or toy-protective, and up to date on their core vaccinations.

Each step helps create a safe environment and allows pet parents to feel confident knowing that all dogs must meet specific criteria before they can begin their time at Dogtopia.

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STATE-OF-THE-ART DOG DAYCARE PLAYROOMS

As a doggie daycare franchise, our indoor playrooms take center stage. We’ve implemented several safety practices to maintain the wellbeing of our furry guests, which helps our franchisees develop a loyal customer base. Our playrooms use:

Rubberized flooring: Because our daycare pups are on their paws for most of the day, our playroom floors use a compressed rubberized material that reduces the impact on paw pads, hips, and joints. Compared to other dog daycare franchises that opt for cement or gravel, which can be awkward to run and play on and harsh on sensitive paws, our flooring is much more comfortable for pups. Plus, our flooring is non-absorbent, odor-resistant, and easy to clean, so the team members can better maintain the sanitation of all playrooms.

Advanced HVAC systems: To keep the air clean and circulating throughout our playrooms, each dog daycare in our franchise network uses an advanced DOAS system that preconditions 95% of the air every 11 minutes. This helps remove small particles from the air and keeps playrooms odor-free. It also allows our dog daycare facilities to climate-control each playroom, so pups spend the day in an environment that has a safe, comfortable temperature as opposed to unpredictable outdoor temperatures.

Separate playrooms with floor-to-ceiling walls: Rather than flimsy dividers/partitions, our playrooms are actual rooms with soundproof walls. We carefully separate dogs based on size and temperament, ensuring that like-minded pups are kept together. This approach significantly enhances safety and helps make pups feel secure among similar canine companions.

By avoiding mixing larger breeds with smaller ones and sorting dogs with similar energy levels into our various playrooms, we create an environment where each pup can thrive and feel comfortable. Compared to a dog park, where pet parents may not know which type of dog will come up to them, they can feel confident that Dogtopia is a safe, go-to play spot for their furry family member.

Double-barrier doors: To control all entries and exits from playrooms, each franchise location must have double-barrier doors that create a stand-by space between the playroom and the main hall. This added element enhances safety and security at all our facilities.

PLAYROOM WEBCAMS

We aim to create a transparent line of communication with pet parents, and one of the ways we do this is by integrating HD webcams in the playrooms of each facility. Webcams allow our franchisees to better showcase the safety measures taken at their facilities, serving as a modern addition to the range of benefits offered. Through the Dogtopia app and website, pet parents have convenient access to the webcam livestreams, allowing them to virtually check in on their furry companion during the day. This not only helps provide pet parents peace of mind but also adds an extra layer of security, knowing that they can observe their pups in real-time while they are in our care.

PET-SAFE CLEANING PRODUCTS

Dogtopia has the most rigorous cleaning program in the pet franchise industry. Using our own pet-safe cleaning products, which are non-toxic and free of harsh chemicals, our facilities can maintain a fresh, hygienic environment. As part of our cleaning guidelines, each facility must sanitize all playroom surfaces twice daily and spot-clean using our dog-safe bio-enzymatic cleaner during those “in-the-moment” potty mishaps.

By upholding these high standards, pet parents can rest assured that their pups play in a clean and fresh environment. Our commitment to cleanliness not only supports the wellbeing of our furry guests but also contributes to a safe and enjoyable experience.

FRANCHISING WITH DOGTOPIA

Dogtopia continually works with our subject matter experts to create safe daycare spaces that promote even greater wellness in our furry guests. Our franchisees benefit from our superior practices as soon as they open their doors, positioning their facility as the top daycare in the industry with services that meet the needs of pet parents and keep their dogs’ wellbeing at the forefront.

To learn more about franchising with Dogtopia, check out our detailed FAQ page, which includes information about the opportunity, the pet industry, and more.