FW Kennel Clarification

[ftwildernessguy]

Hey, the way I see it, he should be grateful he gets to go to Florida every year. Actually, he's a real ladies man and has always had a love affair going with the staff at the kennel. They always made a big deal out of him, fed him lots of cookies, scratched his ears, etc. Considering his normal day consists of sleeping on the sofa while Carol and I are at work, going to the kennels is pretty special for him. We'll see how he feels after this trip.

Deb - back in the day, the kennel was twice the size it is now. After AK came about, they divided it off and started using the side you can't see for rehab for sick and injured animals from AK. We found that out one day when the Wonder Beagle and I were going for a walk and heard an enormous roar coming from the other side. He was one scared puppy. Hasn't looked at a cat the same since. I would not be surprised if the whole building were used for that, or maybe engineering or security would take it over. Who knows.

 

[2goofycampers]

What will be happening to the building that currently houses the kennel at FtW?

This brings to mind another question. When we were staying at FtW over Labor Day weekend, I saw dogs everywhere (not that I mind - cause I love dogs). Is this an indication that FtW is going to do away with pet loops and become a total "pet friendly" campground? Anyone heard anything about this?

The new golf cart rental place??????????

I've read on someones personal website of the Fort going fully pet friendly rumor.

 

[PookaJean]

I know it is "best Friends" I was just using the term because their location is at disney they will charge even more. I've already used Best Friends at Epcot twice and am very displeased with them.

 

[BradyBz12]

...he's a real ladies man and has always had a love affair going with the staff at the kennel. They always made a big deal out of him, fed him lots of cookies, scratched his ears, etc....

Lucky dog!

To kennel or not to kennel... that is the question! Totally depends on the dog IMO.

We travel with 2 border collies and have gotten a routine down for our time at FW. Of course it helps that they are used to travelling a LOT, and adapt really quickly to changes in their scheduleds.

They get lots of playtime/walks in the a.m. (can't wait to use the dog park for some REAL running this year!) and then are crated in the camper for our first trip out to the parks for a handful of hours in the afternoon. We come back for their dinner/walks/play time, and then back out - usually to catch evening EMH.

Within a day or so, they have the routine down like it's been that way their whole lives.

We try really hard to make sure they're NOT barking while we're out, and always talk to our neighbors and ask them to let us know if anyone is causing a ruckus. We also do test runs the first couple of days to make sure "the system" is working - i.e., put them up, go out for a walk, sneak back for a listen, go out for a longer walk... you get the idea.

We've even come back to the camper in the evening, stomped all around, talked, even knocked on the camper door! Not a peep (LOVE my dogs!)

Seems extreme, but we don't ever want to be "those people" with the dogs that yap incessantly in the camper the entire time we're gone

Last year I got a call on my cell at Epcot from one of our neighbors (we have a "pets inside" sticker on the door) telling us that our smoke alarm was beeping (battery was low). He was over checking around the camper and never once did either dog make a sound, even though the darned thing was beeping for almost an hour!

We use the TV/blinds trick too (bought an extra little TV for the dogs' "wing" of our camper), with the added feature of the fan/AC running, depending on weather - we're usually there in Dec - great for an added layer of "white noise."

In addition they get all their meals in Kongs stuffed and frozen the night before, so they have something to keep them busy for a few hours in addition to just watching the Disney channel.

You definitely need to know your dog(s) and do what's best for you both... and your fellow campers!

 

[WeCampDisney]

I've already used Best Friends at Epcot twice and am very displeased with them.

Can you tell us what you were displeased about?

 

[PookaJean]

I've posted on other boards of my experiences. I've been using the Epcot kennel for the last 10 years and my babies love it there. I take care of my dogs completely. I walk, feed and water them at least 4 times a day sometimes more. I get up earlier on vacation than I do at home just so I can get to the kennel first thing.
When disney was in charge I had no problems. I would get there when the employee got there and they would open the door and let me in to walk my dogs. My dogs are used to going out as soon as they are woken up so if I don't get there when they do, I'll be dealing with a mess. The workers always get there about 30 minutes prior to opening time to start walking and feeding which wakes everybody up in the kennel. If I have to wait until 30 minutes later, it will be too late. This never bothered the CM working for Disney but does bother the best friends employees for some reason. I've gotten treated very poorly and rudely by them. They make me feel like I'm doing something wrong by taking care of my dogs. All they have to do is open the door!
My dogs can't have Florida water as it makes them real sick. I bring water from home and buy bottled water there for them. Even with notes on the front of their cages saying "No water, No food, No walks", they climb into the back of the cage where I put the water bowl and put water in!
I witnessed one family come to pick up their dog at night and they never fed him. The owners could tell because there was no food missing out of the bag they brought.
When I used to leave to go home, all the CM's would be saying goodbye, thank you, see you next time. When I leave now they don't say a word. I leave in complete silence. I think that is terrible business anywhere.
There is no use in speaking to the manager because she is the worst of all of them. She is the rudest manager I have ever met and all along the way constantly telling you that they are the professionals and that's why Disney asked them to take over. When I walk by her, she won't even smile, say hello or even acknowledge that I exist. I find this behavior completely unacceptable for a manager of any company. No matter how she feels about me, she should always be polite and courteous.
That's the biggest things, other things have happened but I can't even remember them all. Good luck to anyone using their services.

 

[SandrA9810]

Kiani used to love Carol and the other lady, which I can't think of at the moment. They knew her by name, and they understood that when we started working for the company we weren't always going to be there when they were open because we were working, but we'd walk her when we got back to the site. We've stayed several times at the fort even after we started working because it seems like we really are some place else.

Every time I've brought Kiani home after keeping her with "best friends" she's been sick with diareah. She only gets specific kinds of treats, and I only feed her merricks. I also keep a measuring cup in the bag to make sure she gets the same amount. But there's always food in her bowl already in the morning before I get there, or several amounts of it after the 5pm feeding time. And I only tell them to feed her at night time (1-1/2 cups). They don't know her by name, and if I'm the only one walking her, I don't need to tell them how much she goes poop.

I hate them. And their new kennel will be at the new golf resort that they are putting in place of the eagle and osprey. Which is going to cause too much noise and light pollution for my enjoyment of the fort.