Warning About Boarding Pets in a Kennel

[Darth Cupcake]

I am so sorry for your loss. Although it must have been difficult, I appreciate you taking the time to inform all of us.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I am so sorry for your loss! I can't even imagine a kennel being that irresposible.

 

[Tina]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. I just interviewed a pet sitter yesterday for an upcoming trip. He comes highly recommended and I really, really liked him. I hope we never have to go through what you have.

 

[Breezy_Carol]

How awful. Until I saw the pictures, I thought they must have been small dogs.

We kennel our dog yearly when we vacation and luckily have never had a problem. I had no idea that kennels ever put dogs together unless requested. I don't thinkn ours does.

to you for your loss.

 

[luvwinnie]

Molly and Moo were so so adorable. I can't believe the owner has not apologized and that nothing can be done to the kennel. It's beyond horrible. I'm so sorry.

 

[Chicago526]

I'm so sorry! That's the worst thing I've ever heard of! I'm not surprised you can't sue for very much, most states consider animals as property and you can only sue for their value. This means you can't sue vets for malpractice, or in this case, kennels for neglegt/wrongful death for more than their value as property. Unless you have an expensive pure bred dog, it isn't worth it.

Perhaps you can go to your state representitives and see if there is any interest in strengthening your states requirements for kennels to address the problems you encountered? And I'd keep going after the press, some reporter, news station, or paper somewhere might be interested in your story. And while your vet may not be able to warn clients against this specific kennel, maybe ask that they give a list of questions to ask and things to do (like signing aggrements for care and keeping copies) to pet owners.

I'm so lucky that I have a great kennel, it's run by and is next door to a vet clinic. All dogs are kept apart, the units have A/C with individual access to a fenced area (kind of like the kennel has it's own little fenced yard) so the dog can go in and out at will. No toys are given by the staff, but you can bring your own and they'll give those to your dog. For an extra charge you can have them put into "doggie day care" where they are allowed to run around with other day care dogs, safely suppervised, of course (that's why the extra charge). And even though they're great and I have no qualms about leaving Missy there, I always call halfway through my trip to see how she is doing, the staff never minds answering my questions.

If anyone is in the NW burbs of Chicago and wants to know more about my kennel, just PM me and I'll be happy to give your their contact info, including their website.

 

[minniecarousel]

OMG! What beautiful dogs! How sad! God Bless you for taking in a dog that really needed you.

No wonder my son & his fiancee weren't willing to take their Pom to a kennel - they had probably heard these stories. His fiancee's father had their dog at his house when they went on vacation. Now I'm worried that when they get married, there won't be anyone to watch the llittle guy (& I do mean little guy!)

 

[sunlver]

I Am so so sorry to hear of the passing of your 2 furbabies. My heart is breaking. I am a big dog lover..


it seems my life revolves around dog stuff. I think that is why I am so popular around here. I do in home dog sitting. Yep, dogs come to my home when people are going out of town. Most of my customers have never seen the insides of a kennel. Granted, I know not all kennels are like the one you took your dogs too. I think more people should look for the in home petsitter. I am not talking about the people who come to your house to look after your pet a couple of times a day. People like me, who take dogs into my house.I know it gives owners a great bit of peace knowing that their dogs are in a home with a family and not shoved into some kennel somewhere.

Once again I am truley sorry...

 

[Rajah]

Wow. I'm amazed that none of those routes panned out! There's *got* to be something you can do.

 

[hiwaygal]

I managed to hold in my tears, until I saw the pics you posted...what beautiful furbabies! And how tragic this story is...

It is so hard to believe that no one can help or is willing to do anything.

Would you mind if I posted your story on a dogs message board? Perhaps someone there might know of something, or at the very least we can pass along what you so tragically learned.

 

[FergieTCat]

I was told today that I should consider boarding my 2 cats for a few days while there is work being done on my apartment.

I have never put them in a kennel before and upon reading this, I'm not sure I want to. I am considering finding a hotel that allows pets and staying with them there. Or beg their "Auntie Carolyn" to allow us to share her apartment for a few days.

I am so sorry for your loss. I can't imagine how you feel.

 

[Kitty 34]

OMG!! What a horrible tragic story! I'm so sorry that happened to your dogs. I will definetly pass this story on to both my Mom and my brothers who have used kennels for their dogs.

So sorry.

 

[disneynutt1225]

My heart is in my throat! What a terrible thing to have happen to you! I'm so very sorry for your loss.

 

[momof2inPA]

If they put the two dogs into a kennel with another violent dog, I don't see why they wouldn't be liable. I would press the lawsuit and the insurance company.

Your two dogs didn't attack each other, did they?

 

[robertsmom]

I have to say this is just nuts! I work in a dog kennel (have for years) and we not only do not put dogs in the same kennel, we do not even let the dogs play together. When owners ask us why the dogs can't play together, we always tell them it is for safety - your dog may be the most sweet, gentle animal on the planet, but you can never predict what two dogs together will do. The only exception to this is dogs from the same family, and even then we ask the owners if they are ok together. I'm so sorry for the loss of your beloved pets -

 

[paigevz]

We kenneled our dog on our first trip to WDW. When we picked him up, he'd SCREAM.....not whine, howl, bark, but SCREAM when we would approach him with a collar or leash, or touch his neck. I am not sure what they used on him, but we never kenneled him again.

 

[disneynutt1225]

I work in a dog kennel (have for years) and we not only do not put dogs in the same kennel, we do not even let the dogs play together. When owners ask us why the dogs can't play together, we always tell them it is for safety -

The kennel we used to take Toby to wouldn't let them have group playtime. It's not something I would want him involved in if I wasn't there anyway, but it's nice to know that they never did it even if we wanted it.

 

[Buckalew11]

This happened around here once that I heard of. The two dogs they put together were from the same owners. While the dogs lived together and ere used to each other, I guess they were used to being in the same kennel so hours upon hours. Very sad.

I am sorry for your tragic loss.

 

[Kallison]

So sorry -- what about your pain and suffering. I think I would take the SOB's to court just to tie up their time and resources.

 

[lil mermaid]

Heather, I can't even believe what I just read! I am so, so sorry for you and your poor doggies.

It is horrible - I am so sorry, and for the owner not to show any remorse... to you.