19 Comments:

• I recently took my miniature dachshund to the PetsHotel and I was VERY disappointed. I spent 180.00 for them to starve my baby. She is used to eating hard dog food mixed with soft and I was assured that this would be what they would feed her. When I picked her up I was appauled to see how thin my dog was... I looked in her bag that I had brought with us and ALL of her soft dog food was still in the bag. I will NEVER send my dog here again... I have received better treatment taking her to my groomers to board her... Atleast they do let them play and walk them several times a day.. 10.00 a day as opposed to almost 50.00 for a suite. I wanted to pamper her with a "suite", but it just seems that the only pampering was of me... not my dog. They just want money. BEWARE

  By  Anonymous, at 10:12 AM, June 12, 2005  

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• I took my maltese to PETsHOTEL and couldn't be happier. Thanks to some playtimes, he was able to be socialized and could burn off some extra energy all at the same time! The rooms were great, and they were all indoors, which I loved!! No fleas to contend with AND he was in a nice, cool area!! I had some pretty "wacky" demands, and they were all met...including giving a treat after he wemt potty!! I really liked that they had neat treats for him, too. (the "doggie ice cream" is my favorite!! I would never leave my baby anywhere else! Hey...this is the only place that has 24 hour care...he spilled his water in the middle of the night...and they could clean it up!! How fantastic!

  By  Anonymous, at 3:28 PM, June 20, 2005  

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• To anonymous....PETsHOTEL feeds your dog exactly as you request it. If you ask for them to feed soft food mixed with dry then he will be fed soft food mixed with dry. Many dogs do not eat normally when boarded somewhere, especially smaller dogs. The PETsHOTEL also lets dogs out many times a day and do offer play time. It is not almost $50 for a suite but more like exactly $31. I have taken my dog there many times and have seen the treatment of the dogs. NO COMPLAINTS. And yes there is nothing better than having someone there 24/7. Absolutely the best.

  By  PETsHOTEL Patron, at 9:58 PM, July 03, 2005  

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• I believe the best option for your dog is to have someone you trust care for you pet in its own home with an overnight stay. No unfamiliar territory, water, food, or people or the risk of exposure to fleas or diseases. Your dog is happiest in its own home when you are away.
  
  The next best option is to leave your dog in a home environment with someone you know and trust. For example your breeder, your groomers, your neighbors, or your regular dog walker.
  
  As for cats, I believe they are only happy when cared for in their own home whether an overnight stay is required or not.
  
  IMHO

  By  Anonymous, at 8:54 PM, August 30, 2005  

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• I recently took my dog to the PetsHotel and was overall happy. The only problem was I asked them to give her a bone and they did not. It was a bone that they approved, becuase they do not allow certain kinds, so I specifically got her a bone they suggested. She was in there for a total of 7 nights and when we picked her up, the bone was still in the wrapper not touched. Other than that I guess it was an ok stay for her.

  By  Anonymous, at 7:47 AM, October 07, 2005  

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• We in Omaha are just getting our PetsHotel put in right now. I am very excited that I have to tell every customer. For Anonymous, we care very much for our pets in the store as well as our customers pets. I have been a employee for 2 years (i am also a senior employee and its my first job. I take it more seriously than just a job!) and i have never seen another employee mistreat a animal. I have heard horrible boarding stories and i am glad that we are getting our PetsHotel. (it'll be the 1st in Omaha, and we only have two stores) We are not just in it for the money as is Petco and PetLand. I am sorry you feel this way about our services and i hope (if you do go again) you will better customer serivce.

  By  A PetSmart Employee From Omaha, NE, at 7:35 PM, November 10, 2005  

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• In response to PetsHOTEL Patron, I agree with the first person. My request to be fed soft and dry food mixed was not carried out either. I put a certain amount of food in an "overnight" bag for my dog and he also was only fed hard dog food. I don't know which PetsHOTEL that you take your animal to, but the one mine was taken to was not wonderful like you are stating that it is. I won't be taking my dog back to the PetsHOTEL. Overpriced and over-rated.

  By  Anonymous, at 1:52 PM, December 10, 2005  

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• I recently had my chocolate lab stay at PetsHotel for 3 night and 4 days. Upgraded him to the suite that he could be in with his friend a black lab. While in doggie day camp he got severly bit on his left front leg and had to be rushed to the Banfield Vet. There is a huge wound on his leg. He is still limping from this. When asked about the supervision, one person was in charge of watching 9 dogs. When asked about the incident, they said the other dog was playing rough but nothing was done to prevent or stop this dog. I was very dissappointed in the way this was handled. The still have yet to refund any of our money. I will never take my dog there again. I highly recommend checking into it before you drop your pet off.

  By  julie, at 3:24 PM, March 06, 2006  

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• Disappointed in Bethesda location. My dog spent 1 night only as a test to see how she would do there. Bottom line is that the volume is too great there. There is no way they can do what they claim they can do. They put on a good front and we were convinced. Problems: I mailed all contact info to them in advance, called to be certain they had rec'd it, and they said it was on file. Arrived and was immediately asked for "contact info". They had no records. There was much confusion in lobby because of cat adoptions, and some dogs entering (who don't like cats) had difficulty remaining under control causing lots of action. Cat adoptions were on both sides of the doorway. They should at least be on one side or in another aisle. We were told our dog would be given "individual care" with 2 15-min. playtimes, walks and icecream cone. When we arrived no one had a clue what "individual care" meant. We were signed up for an atrium but no one offered to confirm that, nor show us its location, and I do not believe she was ever in one. Yes, we could see atriums through the window with dogs in them, but our dog was led far away from those. The screen that is supposed to show the animals in their areas showed only the hallways--no animals. At first glance it gives the owners a secure feeling until you realize that no one is really watching that screen. Worst of all was the bedding I sent. Two small blankets she was accustomed to having. One was used. Fine. But, it was returned to me exactly as I sent it. Fine I thought. Folded and placed in a zipper plastic bag. I thought that was nice. But--when I removed it from the container it was wet and totally vomit-soaked. No one reported that she had gotten sick. I could certainly see how it is possible and I could accept that, but I cannot accept that they were not forthcoming. As a matter of fact, I had to request a "report" on how the dog did. I was especially curious about whether or not the dog used their indoor potty area. The woman at the front desk seemed surprised that I would need a report and just started rambling things off the top of her head that anybody could say that sound "good". They want you to return with more business, and I had hoped we could. Obviously she didn't have a clue how my dog did, especially if the blanket was stinking wet with vomit. When I discovered the blanket (after arriving home) I called the front desk to ask her what happened and she said knew nothing about it and said "I'm sorry". I have to wonder if my dog was ever given water. I know dogs get nervous when boarding and want to drink alot, but I have never seen this dog be so desperate for water. The cost-- our estimate totalled about $60. Strange that we ended up paying only $39--too much. They truly did not have our dog in their system, except maybe for her name. Never again.

  By  Anonymous, at 9:25 AM, June 26, 2006  

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• My two Dobermans are regulars at the PetsHotel in Atlanta and Columbia, Maryland. I sign them up for a private suite, doggie day camp and the special treats twice a day.
  
  The staff is absolutely wonderful, the area is always immaculate and I have no guilt feelings checking them in for a week.
  
  I noticed the staff keeps records of their last stay so they know exactly what I want for them.
  
  5 doggie paws for the PetsHotel!
  
  Mom of two PetsHotel loving Doberkids.

  By  ILuvMyDobes, at 3:47 PM, July 22, 2006  

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• I use to work at Petshotel and quit. I have worked in the petsitting business for several years and thought the hotel was a great thing. It didn't take me long to be there and see that the quality of care the pets recieve is poor. Many times the dogs and cats are not fed the owners food. There were times that dogs were forgotten to be put in day camp, individual time that the pet parent paid for was not done, empty water bowls etc. It was no place I would take my pets. Many of the workers there are inexperienced.

  By  Anonymous, at 6:28 PM, July 23, 2006  

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• We used the La Jolla, Calif. PetsHotel for Doggie DayCare in 2005 when we were selling our house. There was a waiting list so we sent our dog to other San Diego area dog daycares until we could get our large dog into Petsmart's. At the other doggie daycares, our dog did not want to return on the next visit. Her tail would be between her legs and she would pull to leave the building. She looked scared on her return visits to these three other doggie daycares. But then we got her into the PetsHotel DayCamp. She loved it. She would sit up in the car with excitement as we approached the store, she pulled on her leash with a smile while dragging us into the store. Sometimes we went by at unexpected hours to pick her up. She was almost always in the play area and looked so happy with the other dogs. There were always at least two workers in the dog enclosure - only usually on mop/poop scoop duty and the other supervising and playing with the dogs. Dogs that started to be dominate were separated out and timid dogs were encouraged to play. We had no problems with injuries or illness. We continued to send her to the DogDay Camp after we sold our house until we moved out of the area. The day camp did wonders for her mild seperation anxiety. We only sent our dog for the day with no meals required and no overnight boarding. It was quite recommendable - 5 dog paws!

  By  Anonymous, at 6:57 AM, November 29, 2006  

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• Many dogs when seperated from their owners for a period of time will typically not eat their food. The majority of the dogs in the Petshotel spend their stay in playtime unless their owners choose not to sign them up (this is an option when making a reservation).

  By  Anonymous, at 7:34 PM, January 28, 2007  

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• I personally love our PetsHotel, I used to take my dog to best friends for day care, but my dog would always fight and cry with her tail between her legs as I had to carry her in. Not so with petshotel, even overnight stays are no problem. She waltzes right in happily, and is returned in the same condition.

  By  Anonymous, at 2:14 PM, February 25, 2007  

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• I recently took our boxer to the Petshotel in Texas. She started vomiting the day we picked her up. By 3days she had lost 8 lbs and had to be taken to the hospital. After thousands of dollars for emergency surgery to remove a ball from her bowel, we figured out it was not a ball we had given her or one of her regular toys.So much for supervised play!!! I will NEVER send my dog to them again.

  By  Anonymous, at 7:11 AM, November 21, 2007  

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• I have been working at a PetsHotel here in Texas for 4 months now. Two days from now will be my last day, as I am tired of the danger I have to put myself in everyday. I'll explain shortly. I have been disappointed in the fasion that my Hotel is run. I'm just a PCS (the one who does the grunt work and conducts "supervised" play.) My disappointments that I mentioned: For a person (and for dogs), I am convinced that it is an unsafe place to work and an unsafe place to send your dog; particularly Doggie Daycamp. We have dogs that attend camp regularly (some everyday, some every other day, etc.) The large majority of these dogs are problem dogs that the owners simply just don't want destroying their home while they're at work, etc. (In my opinion, a kennel is the perfect solution for that). Most of these dogs have had very little obedience training and won't respond to our commands. Even the dogs who have been through any training program still don't respond to anyone's commands except the trainer or the pet parent; it is futile. (I find it incredibly ironic when a trainer is present and watching one of their graduates misbehave and not respond to our commands in the playroom). The ability for us PCS's to control these dogs is so limitited. Several of our regulars are so aggressive, that they have to be pulled from camp everyday because they were starting fights (mainly the big dogs). A couple of the dogs don't like taking "no" for an answer, if you will, and have turned on us by snapping and trying to bite us when we try to prevent fights, stop them from destroying and swallowing toys, waterbowls, etc. You would think after a few weeks, the upper management would get the point that these dogs are too aggressive and should not be allowed to have group play time for two reasons: #1, the employee's in the playroom's safety, and #2, the other guest's safety. But after 4 months of service to my Hotel, I am convinced that money is certainly more important than anyone (or thing's) safety. I am sickened that the owners of these dogs are paying for their dog to sit out in their cage all day for fighting when they are supposed to be getting day camp. Also, a lot of the time, a dog will be pulled from camp for a while for fighting, but will be given another chance to go back in after its "time out" only to fight again. I have only seen one "time out" work out of the countless ones we have given. Isn't Einstein's definition of insanity "the act of doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result?" Doggie Daycamp (at least here) is a lawsuit waiting to happen. Even using the utmost care and caution, I have been bitten once (and almost bitten many times) trying to prevent fights and break up fights as well as my other coworkers. Squirt bottles with water is not enough to prevent recurring fights. Yes, we do have air horns and pepper spray, but the management STRONGLY encourages us not to use them to break up fights unless one of the senior workers can't break up the fight. I have seen too many dogs get injured for fighting even if they started the fight. I don't imagine any other boarding facility allows this much interaction with boarded guests for one reason: it's too dangerous. Six hours in a playroom with scared and grumpy and aggressive dogs is simply stupid, and I have had my fill. I will never send my two dogs to any boarding facilty after my experience working in one. I'll ask a family member or close friend to keep my animals. It's less stressful for the animals (trust me on that one) and much easier on the pocket book. I also must note that my first week at the Hotel, I signed my dog up for camp, and even though I was in the playroom with him, he was scared to death and wouldn't move out of the corner. He doesn't behave this way at dog parks. He loves the dog park. A small enclosed 30'x40' space with up to 17 dogs (legally) makes a lot of dogs way too uncomfortable. And if there is a dog who is picking on everyone (as it usually is), the ones who are frightened have no place to go unlike at a dog park, where the animal can just walk away with the owner to an area of the park that feels safer. If I had any opportunity to revise the rules for the playrooms, my first would be that there should be 1 person in the playroom for every 8 dogs. The trend I have seen is that when more than 8 dogs are present, it becomes too hard to handle that many by yourself. I would prefer 2 people be present in each playroom at once regardless of the number of dogs, but alas, I am not the boss. Second, a dog would be banned the first time for fighting. Allowing aggressive dogs to return daily is stupid. When I started working here, I was under the impression that each camper is closely screened during playtime for any aggression and only the most well behaved dogs are allowed into camp. As you can see, I was wrong. I strongly advise you not to use Doggie Daycamp, and if you currently do, stick around for about the 1st hour of camp and just watch your dog through the windows or on the TV screen if he is in a back playroom. Watch him and the other dogs and see if you feel comfortable letting him be there. I know this was lengthy and rather redundant, but I hope I got my point accross. If you wish to continue using PetsHotel, buy individual playtime instead of camp. It's safer for your dog.

  By  Anonymous, at 4:21 PM, December 18, 2007  

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• I am a college student living near the La Jolla PetsHotel, and have spent countless hours watching the dogs (big and small) as they are played with. I have never observed serious fights break out among the dogs... rough play at times, but nothing that would result in bites that would need emergency treatment. I have also noticed that many of the dogs are regulars, so why would the owners continue to send their dogs to a location that does a crappy job?
  
  Our family dog was left with a friend when we went on vacation. She ended up being mauled by a loose lab the very first day. I would feel safer leaving my dog at the PetsHotel than I would be with chancing her being attacked by a strange dog. The staff members are experienced and would not let me be injured. I don't know about the other locations across the US, but the La Jolla location gets five stars from me. In fact, I have an interview tomorrow and hope that I will be accepted. I'm THAT impressed.

  By  Silver, at 11:10 PM, February 21, 2008  

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• I work at a PetsHotel in Colorado and I would just like to say that the experience depends on the hotel. I work at a wonderful hotel with good, caring management. Our guests are supervised 24/7 and we have numerous regulars and plenty of happy pet parent's and furbabies!
  
  Some things I would recommend when checking your dog in:
  
  As far as feedings go, there are numerous employees who will be feeding your dog. What is fed to your dog depends on what is put into the computer when you check in. Make sure that you give the associate who is checking your dog in clear instructions on what you want your dog to eat and when. While hand written or typed instructions may seem helpful and more personal, these can be overlooked.
  
  Make sure you realize when "Daily Walks" are conducted at your Hotel. If you don't feel like signing your dog up for DayCamp or Playtime, realize that your dog will spend the majority of its stay in its kennel. This can be a problem for older dogs or puppies who need to get out and use the bathroom more frequently. I would recommened a playtime which is a 45minute-1hour session. You can have your dog in a group playtime with other dogs or you can have your dog particpate in an Individual playtime where your dog gets one on one attention with an associate. (Note: Individual playtimes are a guaranteed 15 minutes, but will probably be less that what your dog would get in group playtime, also Individual playtimes cost a little extra).
  
  If you are going to board your dog I would recommend a place like the PetsHotel where your dog receives 24/7 supervision. Associates check rooms to make sure they are clean and that the pets have water HOURLY. Yes, that's right, every hour on the hour every day of the year!
  
  Like I said, it all comes down to the Hotel. I would ask you local hotel if they offer tours and I would become more familiar with the policies and the staff of your local hotel.
  
  Best of luck to everyone!

  By  Pet Care Specialist, at 6:15 PM, March 01, 2008  

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• The PetsHotel is a fantastic facility! My black lab goes there for doggy day camp about twice a week. She is a very timid 2 year old and my husband and I are finding that this is a wonderful way to socialize her with people and other dogs. The safety standards are set very high, whether it be for updated complete vaccinations or for behavioral/physical inspections and assessments at each check in. The staff is friendly, the play area and doggy rooms are clean, and they offer snacks and doggy safe ice cream at lunch! She loves going to camp each week; she sits up in the car, wags her tail and drags me to the Petshotel door each time we go. She can get groomed, or go to the vet, and I never worry if I need to call them up and ask to keep her overnight, there's always a space for her at what we like to call "her second home", the PetsHotel.

  By  Tina, at 3:08 PM, March 14, 2008  

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