Improving standards of care and animal welfare in dog daycares

The dog daycare industry in New Zealand remains largely unregulated. Aside from the general provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 1999, dog-specific animal welfare regulations, and the minimum standards in the Codes of Welfare for Dogs and for Temporary Housing of Companion Animals, there are currently no rules specifically relating to dog daycares. Anyone can open and manage a dog daycare facility, and standards of service can therefore vary greatly.

SPCA Certified has animal welfare standards for dog daycares which exceed the minimum legal requirements laid out in the relevant codes of welfare. 

SPCA Certified works to continuously improve companion animal welfare by holding dog daycare facilities to a high standard of care. This helps ensure dogs at daycare are safe, have positive experiences, and that their physical, health, and behavioural needs are met.

Our standards for dog daycaresrequire facilities to have trained staff competent in animal care, dog behaviour, and pet first aid. Before starting at daycare, we require each dog to have a general health and behaviour assessment to ensure their suitability, as not all dogs do well in daycare. There is also a minimum staff to dog ratio and playgroups must always be supervised by at least two staff members. The use of aversive training techniques is prohibited under the SPCA Certified dog daycare standards.

In addition, facilities are audited at least twice a year, with at least one unannounced audit, to ensure that standards are adhered to. Under the Codes of Welfare, animal welfare audits are not required. 

At SPCA Certified we believe in making it easier for dog owners to know which services to use. The infographic below compares requirements for dog daycares under the Codes of Welfare and the SPCA Certified standards. See how SPCA Certified standards compare to the legal minimum in terms of dog health and behaviour, environment, and owner assurances, promoting higher animal welfare for dogs in daycare.

If a dog daycare carries the SPCA Certified logo, this means you can be confident that your pup is cared for to higher standards of care.