What should I ask about incident and bite records at a pet daycare?
Ask for a written log of every bite, fight and injury, with the date, the animals, the staff on duty and what happened next. Also ask about complaints, vet bills and insurance claims. Then check whether the staff recorded incidents the same way each time.
A log is only as honest as the habit behind it. Ask how staff write incidents down, who reviews them, and whether owners are told. A daycare that records minor scuffles is usually more reliable than one with an empty file.
Look for patterns. Do incidents cluster around certain times, certain staff or particular dogs? Did the daycare change its playgroups, ratios or screening after a bad day? Answers show whether the business learns from events or just absorbs them.
Ask about the aftermath. Who paid vet bills? Were any customers lost, any complaints filed, any claims made on insurance? Request the insurance claim history, and ask whether any matter is still open. Your lawyer can advise on how unresolved claims should be handled in the purchase. Finally, talk to staff if the seller allows it. They know which dogs are difficult and whether the rules are followed on a busy day. Review the written rules for temperament testing and ask how a dog is removed from the programme after repeated incidents. Ask what training staff receive for breaking up a fight or calming a frightened animal, and who is trained in first aid. Written protocols matter only if people can follow them under stress.
Key takeaways
- Ask for a dated log covering every bite, fight and injury.
- Look for patterns by time, staff member and dog.
- Request insurance claim history and ask about anything still open.
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Sources
This answer is checked against primary sources. Links were last confirmed on the dates shown.
- 01Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentHow to conduct due diligence when buying a business
- 02Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentWhat are the steps to buying a business?
- 03Business Development Bank of CanadaGovernmentAfter buying a business, what is the next step?
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