Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

My dog has just died at a boarding kennel

284 replies

Orc · 29/11/2025 11:27

Looking for advice. We are on holiday and my dog has just died at a boarding kennel.

We have been using this kennel for years. They phoned me at 9.45 to say he had shallow breathing. And that they would normally take him to the vet straight away but they were short staffed and could not.

So they phoned my emergency contact, my sister, who lives 40 minutes away. By the time she had got there he had died. They said “ideally we like emergency contacts to live closer”, whilst also admitting that they had failed him.

I am so shocked and angry. We trusted them. I also feel like I have let him down as I was not there when he needed me.

I’m not sure how to process this but I feel like they could have done more to help him. What should I do?

DSis is taking him to the vet so we can find out how he died.

edited to add: he died about an hour after they first called. My sister did tell them it would take her 40 to 45 mins to get to them. The kennels are a 15 min drive from the vet.

OP posts:
DaisyChain505 · 29/11/2025 11:28

Not sure what advice to give but I just wanted to say I’m so so sorry. I had a dog pass away whilst I was on holiday previously and I offer so much sympathy.

OverlyFragrant · 29/11/2025 11:29

Gosh I'm so sorry, that's awful.
Please don't blame yourself in any way, just wait for the vet report.

Happyapplesanspears · 29/11/2025 11:35

That’s very sad, sorry for your loss.

How old was your dog?

EverardDeTroyes · 29/11/2025 11:39

You are going to be hurting so much right now. Please don't blame yourself, but also, on the face of it, I would say please don't blame the kennels either. It sounds like they did what they could in difficult circumstances and they do not deserve your anger. Sometimes shit just happens and unfortunately today it has happened to you and your poor dog. I'm really sorry and hope the vet can provide you with some reassurance that nothing more could have been done.

Extragreen · 29/11/2025 11:41

Any pre existing health conditions?
how old?

user1492757084 · 29/11/2025 11:41

How sad for you all.

Allthebeernoidea · 29/11/2025 11:42

So very sorry for your loss.

MrsBennetsPoorNervesAreBack · 29/11/2025 11:42

I'm so sorry. Flowers

DeanStockwell · 29/11/2025 11:42

I am so sorry.
You need to wait for the vets report before you say anything else to the kennels
Was s/he in good health you dropped them off ?
Does the kennel have cameras on the pens ?
I'd be bloody cross at their excuses, not enough staff is a very poor reason for not get your dog to the vet or a vet to them

gogomomo2 · 29/11/2025 11:45

It’s very sad and you will be hurting but considering the timings given I don’t think getting to the vet 30 /40 minutes sooner is likely to have made a difference.

OlderGlaswegianLivingInDevon · 29/11/2025 11:48

Sadly a post mortem can only tell so much, as once the animal has passed certain issues cannot be tested.

I am so sorry for your loss.

Blueberry911 · 29/11/2025 11:49

Regardless of the age/health of your dog, they were inadequately staffed. They shouldn't be "short staffed" when you're paying for a service and presumably others are too.

I'm so sorry about your dog🩷

Christmasbear1 · 29/11/2025 11:49

I'm sure they are supposed to take your dog to the emergency vets if anything was to happen?

sorry for your loss. We sent our dog to kennels once....never again!

Slothey · 29/11/2025 11:49

Im sorry.

I think you need both the vets report, and then some more information from the kennels before you decide what to do.

They must have policies about what happens when a dog is ill, and minimum staffing levels. See whether they were adhered to then work out a next step.

Sugargliderwombat · 29/11/2025 11:58

This is awful and I do not think that they should run if they don't have a capacity to take a dying dog to the vet.

Hedgehogbrown · 29/11/2025 12:02

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

walkingmycatnameddog · 29/11/2025 12:08

I’m not a dog owner or have ever been but I was so moved by your sad post. I’m sending you my heartfelt sympathy.

Blanketenvy · 29/11/2025 12:32

Im so sorry this has happened to you. I think it's crazy that they couldn't have managed to get him to a vet somehow even if it would have meant doing something out of policy like getting a partner or local friend to come and take him in sure given the urgency of the situation you would have given permission for that to happen.

SeaAndStars · 29/11/2025 12:36

I'm so very sorry OP.

sonjadog · 29/11/2025 12:37

I am very sorry to hear about this. You must be distraught. I would wait and see what the vet says before you do anything more. It may have unavoidable even if he had got to the vet, or it may be some sort of negligence on their side. But wait and see before you do anything more.

bacteriaphobia · 29/11/2025 12:41

Surely part of the cost should factor in emergency vet visits if they can’t get a dog to a vet?

spiderlight · 29/11/2025 12:41

I'm so very sorry. I can't imagine how awful this must be. I have nothing useful to add but I just wanted to offer a handhold while you find out more about what happened.

Tighteningmybelt · 29/11/2025 12:41

That’s very sad, how old was your dog?

hyggetyggedotorg · 29/11/2025 12:43

I’m so sorry OP. As dreadful as the situation is it may well have been unavoidable even if he had be taken straight to the vets. I hope the vets report brings you some much needed explanation.

AltitudeCheck · 29/11/2025 12:47

Sorry for your loss OP, how heart breaking.

It is unacceptable not to take a seriously unwell dog to the vet as soon as they realise there is a problem. Emergency contact should be to give permission/ make decisions in the the event you can't be contacted in an emergency, not expected to physically attend to take the dog to the vets.

Yes, it may not have changed the outcome in this situation but that they don't have the option/ ability to deal with an emergency situation would mean I had totally lost confidence in them and feel they failed to provide adequate care.

Swipe left for the next trending thread