Choosing a dog daycare in New York City is a little like choosing a school. You want a place that is safe, clean and well run, with people who actually know your dog. With so many options on the Upper East Side alone, it helps to know what to look for before you sign up. Here are the questions we suggest every dog parent ask, whether you end up with us or somewhere else.
1. Does the daycare evaluate new dogs first?
A good daycare will not drop a new dog straight into a playgroup. Look for a trial or evaluation day where staff watch how your dog interacts with people and other dogs. This protects your dog and every other dog in the room.
At Urban Woof NYC®, every new dog starts with a $10 Evaluation Day: up to four hours of supervised play so our team can get to know your pup and place them in the right group.
2. How are playgroups organized?
Ask how dogs are grouped. A 10-pound puppy and a 90-pound adult may both love to play, but not with each other. The best daycares group dogs by size, energy and play style, and move them when a group is not a good fit.
3. Who is watching the dogs?
Ask how many staff members are in the playroom and what training they have. Dogs should never be left alone in a playgroup. Staff should know how to read dog body language, step in before play gets too rough, and give quieter dogs a break.
4. What are the health and vaccine requirements?
A responsible daycare will ask for proof of vaccines before your dog’s first day. At a minimum, look for Rabies, DHPP (Distemper/Parvo) and Bordetella. Many daycares also have rules about age and spaying or neutering. These rules can feel strict, but they exist to keep every dog healthy.
Our requirements are simple: dogs must be at least 4 months old, up to date on Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella, spayed or neutered from 8 months, and wearing an ID tag. You can upload records while you register online.
5. Is the space clean, safe and comfortable?
Visit in person if you can. Look at the floors, the smell, the temperature and how secure the doors are. In NYC, climate control matters year round, from August heat to January cold. Ask where dogs rest during the day and how often the space is cleaned.
6. How easy is drop-off and pickup?
For busy New Yorkers, location and hours can make or break a daycare. Check opening hours on weekdays and weekends, how close it is to your home or office, and what happens if you are running late.
Urban Woof NYC has two Upper East Side locations: East 78th Street and Lexington Avenue at 95th Street, both open Monday to Friday from 7am to 8pm.
7. Can you see how your dog is doing?
Many parents love being able to check in during the day. Ask whether the daycare offers a webcam, photo updates or a quick report at pickup. At Urban Woof NYC, clients with an active daycare package can watch their dog on our webcam during business hours.
8. Is the pricing clear?
Ask for full-day and half-day rates, package prices, how long packages last and any extra fees, such as late pickup. A good daycare will put all of this in writing. You can find all of ours on our pricing page.
9. What do other dog parents say?
Read recent Google and Yelp reviews, not just the star rating. Look at how the business responds to criticism. A thoughtful reply to a bad review tells you a lot about how a team handles problems.
10. Is it a business you can trust?
Your dog will spend hours, sometimes nights, in someone else’s care. Ask how long the business has been around, who owns it and whether you can actually reach the owners. Ask if they are bonded and insured. A company with deep roots and a track record has a lot to protect, and it shows in how it runs every day.
11. Is it part of your neighborhood?
A neighborhood business lives on its reputation. Your neighbors are its clients, its staff walk the same streets and its owners see you at the corner coffee shop. Ask how long they have served your area and whether people you know use them. When the whole block knows a place, it has every reason to get things right.
Why Upper East Side families choose Urban Woof NYC
- Rooted in the neighborhood since 2005. Urban Woof NYC began as a dog walking service on the Upper East Side and grew with the families it served: our East 78th Street location opened in 2018 and Lexington Avenue at 95th Street followed in 2024.
- Owner-run, not a chain. Urban Woof NYC is run by its co-founders, Marcos and Silvia. When you have a question or a concern, you can reach the people who own the business.
- Bonded and insured. Ask us anytime about our current coverage.
- Trusted by our neighbors. More than 175 Google reviews across our two locations, written by local dog parents.
- Clear safety rules. Every new dog starts with an Evaluation Day, vaccine records are required, and playgroups are matched by size and energy.
- One team for everything. Daycare, overnight boarding, grooming and dog walking, so your dog sees familiar faces whatever they need.
- Open when New Yorkers need us. Weekdays from 7am to 8pm at both locations, plus Saturdays, and Sundays at East 78th Street.
Ready to visit?
The best way to know if a daycare is right for your dog is to try it. If you are on the Upper East Side, we would love to meet you and your pup. Start here to create your account and book your Evaluation Day, or call East 78th Street at (646) 886-5515 or Lexington Avenue at (646) 964-5220.
