DSis and I put our dogs into a home boarding place over the weekend due to a family party away from home. We usually cover each other’s trips away etc so this is a relatively rare occurrence. However the owner of the business knows both dogs well having walked them for many years. They have also boarded with them previously with no issues - quite the opposite, the service has always been amazing.
But this time the following things happened:
- kept us waiting 15 mins in the rain before they opened the door. We had to call to be let in. This was 10am, so not early for dog people.
- when they answered the phone they said they were too ill to come down (hungover, this was admitted) and their partner would let us in.
- partner came down, took delivery of dogs at the door so we didn’t see inside where the dogs would be at all.
- assured us they would have their own space, and their own cage - this is marketed as home from home boarding. Think saying cage out loud was unintentional.
- no updates at all in over 24 hours. Whilst not a deal breaker this is a massive departure from usual, when dogs were walked by this company we’d receive up to 3 videos on a 1-hour walk.
- we messaged to say that we’d be able to collect earlier we were told no, and to collect at 2.30 as planned (not planned collection time)
- on collection dogs were again handed over at the gate by the partner
- when home both dogs were DESPERATE for a wee, a poo and a drink
- were told by the partner that one dog is “getting old” because she did a few wees indoors. This dog has never, ever done this.
- one dog went for a walk straight away due to suspicion they’d not been exercised. Dog ran and ran and ran for well over an hour, chasing a ball. Dog usually is done after 30mins. Strengthens my view they were probably caged the whole time.
- didn’t actually see the business owner at all - all face to face done by the partner.
There is more circumstantial evidence for us to now suspect something is really wrong in that place, but I can’t really share because it’s just that - circumstantial. It’s related to both the owner and another dog that boards there.
We were charged nearly £70 per dog for little more than 24hours and were told that pick ups needed to be before 7.30am or a further daily charge would be incurred. Now personally, if I need to board my dog it’s because I’m away and therefore any pick up before noon is impossible. Not to mention, the subsequent inflexibility over pick up time.
DSis and I are absolutely livid, but AWBU?