Camp Bow Wow: Hiring, Background Check & Employment Verification FAQs

Camp Bow Wow says it has provided dog care services since 2000, and it describes itself as the leading pet care franchise, with its Houndquarters in Westminster, Colorado. Its services include dog daycare, dog boarding, dog grooming, dog enrichment, and dog training, delivered by what it calls Certified Camp Counselors who, according to the company, are certified in first aid and CPR.

Camp Bow Wow operates through a franchise model, so each camp is typically owned and run by a franchisee, and hiring is handled at the local camp. Several location careers pages state that applicants are applying to work for a franchisee of Camp Bow Wow, not Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc., and that the franchisee would be the only employer. The company's corporate careers page tells candidates to find a camp near them, open that camp's website, and go to About Us and then Careers.

Roles at a camp include Camp Counselors, who oversee daycare and overnight guests, manage groups of dogs in play yards, feed dogs, perform health and happiness checks, and clean play areas and cabins. Camps may also hire camp bathers and grooming apprentices, as well as assistant managers and managers. One location's posting notes that the camp is open 365 days a year, so availability on weekends and holidays is required. Postings vary by location, so candidates should check the specific camp's careers page.

Company culture and employee programs:

One Camp Bow Wow franchise lists its core values as kindness, compassion, and respect, and says it prefers to promote from within. Because each camp is independently owned, pay, schedules, benefits, and hiring practices may differ from camp to camp, so candidates should confirm specifics with the camp they apply to.

Yes. Employers in the pet care industry, including Camp Bow Wow franchise owners, are legally permitted to run pre-employment background checks, provided they follow applicable federal, state, and local laws. In the United States, background screening through a consumer reporting agency is governed by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which sets rules for candidate consent, disclosure, and adverse action. Pet care employers care for animals and handle customer property, so screening is common.

Camp Bow Wow camps are generally reported to conduct background checks as part of their hiring process, which is consistent with standard practice in pet care. One franchise's Camp Counselor posting lists the ability to pass a background check among its qualifications. Because franchisees do the hiring, the scope of the Camp Bow Wow background check may vary by camp and role.

The Camp Bow Wow hiring process typically starts at the local camp, where candidates download an application and email it or stop by to fill one out. Some camps then schedule an interview with the owner or a manager, and candidates who receive a conditional offer are usually asked to consent to a background check before starting. Camp Counselors are generally trained on dog behavior, safety procedures, and pet first aid and CPR. The steps vary by franchise owner, and the company's corporate site directs candidates to each camp's Careers page for details.

Turnaround depends on the types of searches ordered, how quickly courts and agencies respond, and how many jurisdictions a candidate's history touches. Many background checks are returned within a few business days, while checks that involve several counties or states can take longer. Candidates who want to understand typical timelines in more detail can review background check turnaround times.

A Camp Bow Wow background check may reveal criminal history, identity details, and past employers, depending on the camp and role. The specific components are set by the employer, which is usually the franchise owner, and may vary. For a role caring for dogs and handling customer property, a background check may include some or all of the following:

Candidates should review any disclosure and consent forms provided during the hiring process to understand which searches apply to their role.

Camp Bow Wow has not publicly detailed a drug-testing policy, and because camps are independently owned, testing may be required by some franchise owners for certain roles. Pet care roles that involve handling animals, medication, or facility safety are among the jobs where an employer may choose to test. Candidates should ask the camp they apply to and review any offer paperwork and disclosure forms. This answer describes general industry practice, not Camp Bow Wow's confirmed internal policy.

The lookback period for a background check depends on the type of search and the laws of the state or country where the candidate lives or worked. In the United States, the FCRA generally limits consumer reporting agencies from reporting most negative information older than seven years, with certain exceptions for higher-salary positions and specific record types such as convictions. Some states have stricter limits. Candidates with records in multiple jurisdictions may see different lookback windows applied to different searches within the same report.

Camp Bow Wow has not publicly detailed a policy on felony records, and because each camp hires independently, decisions are typically made case by case by the franchise owner. Factors that may matter include the type of offense, how much time has passed, and whether the offense relates to the duties of the role, which involve the safety of animals and the security of customer property. Many states and cities have enacted "ban-the-box" laws that limit when and how employers can ask about criminal history. Candidates are encouraged to be honest on their application and prepared to discuss their background.

Candidates will typically be asked for written consent before a background check begins, usually through a disclosure form provided during the hiring process. They should be prepared to supply their full legal name, date of birth, Social Security number, address history, and employment history. One franchise posting also lists reliable transportation and the ability to work weekends and holidays among its requirements. Providing accurate information helps ensure searches are run in the correct jurisdictions and can prevent delays.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a US federal law that governs how consumer reporting agencies collect, use, and share background check information. Under the FCRA, employers must obtain written consent before running a background check, provide a copy of the report and a summary of rights if they intend to take adverse action based on the results, and allow the candidate an opportunity to dispute inaccurate information before a final decision is made. For a detailed overview of how the FCRA applies to background checks, visit Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).

The local camp does the hiring, because Camp Bow Wow camps are typically owned and operated by franchisees. Several camp careers pages state that applicants are applying to work for a franchisee, not Camp Bow Wow Franchising, Inc., and that the franchisee will be the only employer if the candidate is hired. That means the franchise owner generally decides which background checks to run and follows the FCRA steps, so candidates should read the application and disclosure forms from the specific camp.

Camp Bow Wow says its Certified Camp Counselors are certified in first aid and CPR. At least one franchise posting asks candidates only to be willing to become Pet First Aid and CPR certified, which suggests candidates may not need the certification before applying, but requirements may vary by camp. Candidates should confirm with the camp they apply to whether certification is expected before or after hire.

Running a personal background check with Checkr lets you preview what Camp Bow Wow may see and help you identify potential inaccuracies before they affect your job application. In one secure report you can review:

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The resources and information provided here are for educational and informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice. Always consult your own counsel for up-to-date legal advice and guidance related to your practices, needs, and compliance with applicable laws.