Kennels closing next year!

[PookaJean]

Does everybody realize that when this new facility is built by Best Friends Pet care, they are going to close all of the other kennels. I have used the new company's services twice so far and have had nothing but problems. Has anybody else used their services yet and been disappointed?
I have already written a letter to Disney hoping they will take control of the kennels back. If any one here has had a problem with them, please write Disney and let them know. A few of our cast member friends said that if they get enough complaints they will take control back from Best Friends.
The new facility will not be near any park and will be VERY EXPENSIVE! Please help!

 

[christophfam]

What!?

I've use the Disney kennels off and on for years. Please tell me more about this. I haven't heard a thing and what is 'best friends'? It has been a while since the furbabies have stayed at Disney so I guess I'm out of the loop. Please fill me in. I would hate not to have the disney kennel option!

 

[PookaJean]

Disney has outsourced the kennels to a company called Best Friends Pet Care. They are going to build a new facility across from the Port Orleans Riverside. It is supposed to be one of those very expensive doggy day care places with bedtime stories, etc. There will be no transportation to it. The manager is a very rude and unprofessional woman. I hope Disney changes it's mind before it's too late. The new facility is supposed to open sometime next summer.

 

[Brian_WDW74]

Just a quick question: Where did you read that all of the other kennels would be closed? It's my understanding that the new "luxury" facility would be opened in addition to the current kennels, not as a replacement. But I could be wrong.

 

[PookaJean]

The new company told us directly and various cast members that we have become friends with have verified the info.
Personally I think it stinks. I thought the kennels were there as a guest convenience but this new facility will be not be convenient at all and WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!

 

[inaminute]

Well...I guess they could provide NO kennels as an option. They must cost a bundle to operate and maintain after all.

How do you know who the manager will be? The place isn't open yet, is it? Has it even been built? I think I need a bit more information.

Fortunately, I don't have to worry about this at all. It would be nice to bring the furbabies some time, but I have a great kennel right here at home where my girls vacation while I'm away. I can even check up on them with my computer if I want to! They're happy to see me when I get back, but they love going to the puppy spa!

 

[inaminute]

I just looked up the company. Looks like a standard chain operation to me. They have kennels in many parts of the country. They're already running all of the kennels at Disney.

What kinds of problems did you have with them?

 

[disnut8]

You might want to read this. Do a google search for Best Friends Kennel Disney World. The first article that comes up says this (the link is too big to post):

"In anticipation of opening the new facility, Best Friends will assume operating responsibility for the five existing pet boarding facilities in Walt Disney World Resort, beginning in January 2008. Kennels on the Walt Disney World Resort property are located at the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney-MGM Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort and provide both daytime and overnight boarding."

And -

"Best Friends is a leading provider of pet hospitality in the United States, with 44 locations in 18 states. The company introduced the concept of a pet resort to the industry in 1996 and has been responsible for popularizing such services and care options as luxury suites and doggy day camp programs."

This is the link from the one that is here in the Atlanta area -

http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/ctr_eastcobb.cfm

And the home page - http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com/

Personally, I employ a pet setting service that comes into my house and takes care of our four cats, brings in the mail and the newspaper. She will even water our plants. The cats are happy staying at home.

 

[glitterkittyy]

I have used the kennel several times since Best Friends took over. I have been very happy with them. The prices have been very fair and the service has been quite good. My dog is picky. If she is mistreated, she'll put on her "brakes" when you take her into a facility a second time. She goes into the kennel with her tail wagging. I know they're being good to her, or she wouldn't be happy to see them. So, for me, BF gets two paws up.

 

[PookaJean]

No they have not built the new facility yet but they are running the Disney kennels now. The manager who is running the 5 kennels now will be the manager of the new facility.
I take complete care of my dogs. I walk them at least 4 times a day, feed and change their water. All I require of them is to open the door which has become a problem.
We were first told that they open 1 and 1/2 hour before park opening. So we get up early on our vacation to get there at opening only to get welcomed by a rude and nasty worker. They now tell us that they come in at 7:30 and don't open until 8. I don't know about your dogs but once mine are woken up they have to go out. So if they come in at 7:30 and I can't walk until 8, I will be cleaning up a mess.
On our checkout day we got to the kennel at 7:30, Jen the manager and a co-worker showed up at 7:40. Jen then tells us to give them some time to open up, while the co-worker tells us we don't open until 7:30. We tell him it's 7:40 to which Jen then says we don't open until 8. I explain to her the situation of our dogs needing to go out so they don't relieve themselves on their beds. She all along keeps giving us attitude like we're doing something wrong. Keep in mind, all they have to do is open the door. After taking my dogs out, we came back in and packed their stuff to go home and left in silence. There was no thankyou, no safe trip home, no see you next time, nothing.
On our most recent trip, everytime we saw Jen she wouldn't even make eye contact or say hello. This is not acceptable of a manager. She should be polite and courteous no matter what. Not to mention that we didn't do anything to warrant this kind of behavior. You would think they would be glad to see someone taking care of their dogs.
We witnessed one dog getting picked up and they hadn't fed him all day. They have these sheets for instructions but don't follow them. My dogs can't have Florida water as it makes them sick. I bring my little girl's bowls with me and put them way in the back of the cage so nobody accidentally fills the water. You actually have to climb into the cage to change or fill the water which was done at least twice even though there are notes saying owner only.
Lastly on the new facility, there will not be Disney security to let you in anytime you want to walk your dogs. I realize some people like dropping off their dogs and picking them up a week later and not having to walk or take care of them, but I love my dogs and choose to do so for them.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Disney should be more like Universal, if you are an AP holder, your pet can stay during the day for FREE!!! Maybe this new company can look into something like this and only charge for overnight "guests". I did want to say, I too heard that all the kennels would close and there would be only one centralized location. I was told by a CM when Disney was still operating them. I was also told to write/email Disney to complain about this with the hopes enough complaints would get Disney to take back the kennels.

 

[Timon-n-Pumbaa Fan]

We are quite accustomed to paying the OMG rates that resorts, like Best Friends and PetsHotel, charge. Our 3 dogs love going there, more so than our vet's office, which our boy just didn't handle being there very well. We pay about as much to board the dogs as we do for a moderate Disney hotel room. But, in paying that much, our babies get to stay in a suite together. They like the staff at the luxury resorts. They have playtimes and are spoiled rotten while we are away. The major downside for us is that our boy has health issues and we would prefer to having him nearby, especially since he is now getting a bit older. If we are bringing the babies, we are going to have a car, so no Disney transportation is no big deal. We know there is a hefty price tag, but to be able to go by and check in on our three little angels during our stay will be so nice. It's also nice because if, God forbid, something were to happen to any one of them, being able to be there for them would be a blessing. I hold my breath everytime we board them hoping nothing bad will happen with us hundreds of miles away.

I am sorry that the OP had issues, but I personally, can't wait for the new facility to open! I am looking forward to being able to take the kids to WDW.

 

[TDC Nala]

Bedtime stories?

 

[TheRustyScupper]

Bedtime stories?

. . . The Hound of the Baskervilles
. . . The Shaggy Dog
. . . The Fox and the Hounds
. . . The History of Three Dog Night

NOTE: Old Yeller was taken off the reading list.

 

[PatsMom]

. . . The Hound of the Baskervilles
. . . The Shaggy Dog
. . . The Fox and the Hounds
. . . The History of Three Dog Night

NOTE: Old Yeller was taken off the reading list.

Don't forget "Lady and the Tramp" - my last dog's personal favorite.

 

[nikapluto]

I'm not planning on taking either of my dogs to Florida anytime soon but: We use this company up here in Connecticut and they're great. The dogs get to play together and get tons of attention. So if the price is a little higher realize you're getting quality

 

[ArielRae]

I tried warning everyone when this first came out that best friends was taking over. I worked for my local best friends for a year and it was ok but do not pay for any extras like bedtime stories or treats cause your pet will not be getting it. They just want your money and tell you "oh yea your pet got such and such" Management at best friends is horrible I believe every where you go. You have to remeber these people are used to dealing with pets not people. my managers where horrible. one reason I left the place.

 

[TDC Nala]

I am trying to figure out why anyone would pay for a bedtime story for a dog in the first place.

 

[kimluvswdw]

I used the kennels at Fort Wilderness less than 2 weeks ago and everything went fine. I was told by the employees that all of the kennels on Disney property will close and that there will only be one in the area. Before putting my dog in the kennel I was given a tour of the entire kennel, inside and out. I hate the thought of any animal in a cage, but if you have to then you have to. The staff at the kennels were very friendly and helpful.

Kim

 

[rt2dz]

I've used the local Best Friends a twice. I wasn't thrilled the first time and the second time I was down right angry. I bring in their normal food, individually bagged per serving, and they didn't feed it to my dogs. One of my dogs came back unusually skinny. Now, she doesn't board well, but that was ridiculous. I think she should have been looked over by their vet, but no. I said never again.

I'm sweating our Thanksgiving trip. I have no idea what I am going to do with our dogs. We have a new little puppy and I don't want to board her and our other one is the bad boarder, but all our normal pet sitters are going to be gone that weekend. I'll probably have to hire a pet sitter service, but I HATE the idea of a stranger having access to my home when I'm not there--bonded or not.