Wow - I was on vacation and just got back. I would like to respond to some of the posts, even though I did not start the thread and then I won't say any more about it.
I am not singling out specific posters but:
I noted that the pets should be checked on a few times a day - I do not, however, think it is reasonable for someone to be expected to check every 2 -3 hours as you state - goodness, that would not be a very relaxing experience at all for anyone - imagine being at AK or MK, on line for a ride or show and having to leave to travel to Epcot to check on the dogs every 2-3 hrs - allow for your time on queue, your drive time, your show time, etc....you would spend the whole day travelling back to the kennel. If you do this, kudos to you, but I do not think it is reasonable for someone to HAVE to do it to ensure proper care of the pets left there. The point of the kennel is to provide care - whether I pay for 7 walks per day or 4 walks - that is irrelevant -WDW provides the service, I pay the price asked and I expect the service to be provided. If they cannot care for animals, they should eliminate the kennels.
I have not argued the cost of the kennel. WDW sets their price list at what they deem to be reasonable. If we want to leave our pet there, we pay it - if not, they stay elsewhere - the same as we would if we argued the price of the resort room. I do not need to appear or act "grateful" when they do not do what they said they would do because the price may be lower than another kennel elsewhere (which it is, in my experience, btw). It is not a charity. It is ridiculous for someone to feel that the prices set are low enough that it is forgiveable when they are negligent. They are wrong if that is the mindset. WDW themselves, in my case, admitted that they were negligent for goodness sakes. They have not argued that point at all. There is no "understanding the economics of providing kennels for animals" in this case. Finally in reference to the poster - you state that it is not much to return "two or three times" but in your first post, you state that you return "every two to three hours" - there is a vast difference in the two statements if your day and my day are each 24 hrs. in length.
It is not that I do not "support the use of the kennels" but I am vocal about the standard of care given - I cannot speak for the other kennels - just Epcot. And again, I am going to say it - WDW Executive Office, in reviewing the records provided by that kennel for the time period of our pets stay, has said that the records were poorly kept, walks not recorded, and that the situation was not handled properly.
Spiceycat, Floridaagirl2 - I think we are of the same mind on this.Floridaagirl2 - I agree with you on the price of the kennel post..you are quite right.
cleo - I am terribly sorry to hear of the tragedy with your puppy - that is very sad. I am glad that you do not hold WDW responsible and that you have a good outlook on the care of pets at kennels.Yes, runs are better - I agree with you
HockeyDadof2 - Yes, they are crates - not runs - but the crates vary in size. There are some quite large crates that work well for my size of dogs. If we had been staying more than a weekend, no I would not leave them in crates but they had adequate walks per day and in this case, we chose to do this.
DocRafiki - At least at the Epcot kennel, they do walk the dogs - I understand that it is the only on site kennel that does, at least that is what I was told. They do require (at that kennel) that you return once per day minimum to walk your dog. I also agree with you that a fenced area would be great.
All in all, I will reiterate that I MAY use the kennels again but I would return more often during the day. Like spiceycat said, for many people, the WDW kennels are what some consider to be the only option. I think we need to hold Disney accountable for proper care - just as we do (and so MANY posts are to this effect) when our rooms are not clean, when peanuts are left on the floor of the room and we have an allergic child, etc.
Finally, I love Disney - in fact, that is where we were this past week. We had a great time - with the
MVMCP, the taping of the Christmas parade, etc. And no, if you are wondering, we did not take our dogs with us this time. They stayed in a local kennel at home (but I surely missed them being with us on the drive there and back and being able to see them during the day!!).
I don't want to argue with anyone - I hardly ever post, in fact - I am more of a lurker but I will speak up when I believe something needs to be heard.
Thanks for listening.....and to all of you - have a wonderful holiday!
