Natalie E.
1/5
Update 7/27: I recently went back to their app to check my profile and noticed that the location deactivated my access and marked my pup as "declined". I never received any call or any attempt from them to reach out and I can simply assume this was done in retaliation of my review. Simply unprofessional and shocking.
Here are some things I want to note for pet parents that are looking for a doggy daycare:
1 - Communication in the beginning was really poor. I own a Pomeranian that is ~5lbs. This fact did not result in any issues during the initial scheduling, meet and greet, or first free visit. On a subsequent visit, with different staff, I ran into a whole host of issues because the staff mentioned that he is technically too small for their (already) small group of dogs and he would be subjected to being in a smaller caged area special for smaller dogs. I was very against the idea and expressed that multiple times, but had to leave because I was running late for work and the staff assured me that they would not do that to my pup - fast forward an hour and I find out he was being crated while they worked to resolve the matter, fast forward another hour and he was still crated because they could not get an answer, only ~3 hours after the fact and multiple phone calls did I get the GM to call me back, apologize, and agree to let him play with the other dogs (without being in a separate cage).
The issue here was that at no point throughout the process was I ever informed that his size would result in any special separation. Moreover, now looking at the webcams and seeing what this experience looks like for the small dogs (photos attached) it makes me very sad. They have no room to run around and they simply get to stare outside of the caged area and watch while the majority of the other dogs play. I understand that this is done with safety in mind, but the difference in size between the groups is not that great and with properly trained staff and additional staff - there would be no harm to letting them all play together (as many other doggy daycare places in the area allow various sized dogs to play together and they are all fine). With the way this is done, it seems like the small dogs that are separately caged would think they are being punished because they are not able to play or really interact with the other dogs (short of simply sniffing through the cage).
2 - Understaffed. For the amount of dogs that are in either area at any given time, the location is woefully understaffed. There are multiple instances where I was watching the cameras and the one employee was so busy in one corner of the room that other chaos unfolded on the other end. Things get overlooked and that is a hazardous environment for everyone involved.
3 - Small facility. Again, for the amount of dogs that are brought to this facility, there is just not enough room for them to play or run around. Also, sometimes when they do start playing and really getting into it, staff break the dogs up and separate them - if they are too high energy and doing too many 'naughty' things, they are crated in the same area and have to watch from the crate while the other dogs continue playing. This kind of treatment begins to create a negative association for dogs with crates and they start to see it as a punishment as opposed to a safe space.
4 - No outside time. I brought my pup here about 3-4 times and I never witnessed them being brought outside, even on a good day. I understand that the staff would want to keep them inside if it is rainy or too hot, but when it was nice and temperate, the dogs were still inside.
I liked this location because the staff was generally very friendly and they absolutely remember your dog and you after a few visits. I also really like the fact that they have fun themed events and provide treats to the dogs sometimes (for an extra charge). I would absolutely love to see this place grow, but as it stands right now, I would prefer to take my pup elsewhere so that he could have more freedom to run around and have fun.
