My dog has just died at a boarding kennel

[Orc]

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.

I am so sorry, what a terrible shock

There isn't rules about staffing numbers. Your license is on how many dogs you can take/suitable kennels

Only thing in the insurance is that there has to be someone on the premises 24/7.

Rest in peace and run free over that rainbow bridge beautiful Riley. You were much loved and will be fondly remembered 💙💙🌈

Take care of yourself @Orc and please do not feel guilty. It’s easy to beat yourself up and spend your time asking yourself ‘what if?’ That’s totally normal. But don’t forget that the love you felt for your precious Riley was just a sliver of the love and adoration he felt for you, not to mention the gratitude he will have had for the wonderful life you gave him: a second chance to experience treats, snuggles, scritches in a home where he could feel safe, settled, secure, happy and loved. 💙

I agree, in an emergency scenario like this I’m also surprised they weren’t looking to get him to whichever vet is nearest. Edit: or a vet that will make ‘house’ calls.

This is awful. I’m so sorry about your lovely dog.

I use boarding kennels for my dog, and pretty much top of the list of care tasks I expect from them is that they would seek veterinary care for my girl if needed. I’ve never assumed that my emergency contact would be expected to do that.

If dog owners have a close friend or family member who is able to manage their dog and be physically available at the drop of a hat, potentially on a working day, to care for their dog, they’re less likely to be in need of using a kennel in the first place, aren’t they. I agree with pp that sadly quicker care might not have made a difference to your precious boy, but trying to place any responsibility on you / your sister here is just horrible.

Yes I was thinking the same thing. This kennels doesn’t sound well run, reading between the lines. Doesn’t bare thinking about for the poor owner of this dog.

Although pp makes good point

if it was likely he was going to pass, then better not to have the horrible upheaval and being transported to a vet

Omg, I am so sorry.

So sorry @Orc how devastating! Rest in peace little pup.

Did the kennel say why they didn't call an emergency vet to come to your dog at the kennel? I would have expected them to do that. How old was your dog and did it have medical issues before your holiday?

I am so so sorry xxxxx

Condolences OP, how terrible for you.
If you can bear to get another pet in the future, perhaps try to find a kennels attached to a Vet Clinic. I did this an although it meant a longer journey to the vets I had the comfort of knowing my dear baby was close to medical care.

This is beyond awful 😢Sending love to you all. I had an amazing lurcher who luckily lived a long life. You should have had many more years. I hope you get some clarity soon from the vet?

I truly feel for you ❤️

Rest in Peace sweet Riley ❤️

If you haven't already...

Ask the kennel for all documentation — intake forms, feeding logs, vet records, and any incident reports.

Request a copy of the report to establish cause of death.

Document everything: Keep emails, texts, receipts, and notes of conversations with the kennel.

Speak to RSPCA?

I am so sorry this has happened x

I think they should pay for a post mortem. I’d be all over social media if they refuse and onto the council. Utterly devastating for you. I’m leaving mine with my bil for one night in February and I’m already worried. It’ll be their first time without one of us.

Please report this incident to the local authority. They will have an animal welfare licence in place to board dogs, and not taking him to the vets due to staffing the issues is totally unacceptable and they need to be sanctioned.

Blimey. Sounds like they need this taking off them!!!

op once you know what the cause of death is, then you may need to ask some questions of the kennel, eg why they let him jump around, was this after food ? I wonder why wasn’t it spotted more quickly that he was in distress ? Their attitude is terrible, who sees a dog in distress with shallow breathing, and doesn’t get him straight to a vet ? It’s really shocking.

I’m so very sorry OP. What an awful thing to happen.

its not the point if the vet could have saved him-they didnt even try and thats the crux of it

so sorry op

I’m so sorry for your loss of Riley. Their priority should have been taking a sick dog to the vets even if it meant the other dogs were walked late or whatever. We lost our beautiful boy at the vets 30 years ago having minor surgery and I think it’s extra difficult if you are not there when it happens. I hope the PM will bring you some answers. ((Hugs)) to you and your sister too.

I’m so sorry for your loss. We recently lost a much loved pet in the care of a sitter while on holiday and it was devastating to not be there so I totally understand your pain. I hope you get answers because not knowing is so painful. Sending you strength and solidarity.

I hope the vet is able to provide enough answers to give you some sense of closure.

the boarders taking the dog to the vet quickly may not have made a difference, but that doesn’t change their negligence. Accessing appropriate medical care is part of their job. An emergency contact is not on call every second. They are there to act in your place if there are larger decisions to make or if something catastrophic happens and you don’t return home.

once you gave all the information, please at the very least leave a factual review online. Other potential clients need to know the limitations of this service.

I don't think being council registered counts for much tbh. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'd have a pm done as well.

I am so sorry for your loss op. It’s heartbreaking.

They had no excuse for not taking him to vet as soon as they realised he was unwell.