After YEARS of grooming and boarding our dog, our groomer retired. Almost Home did NOT continue our regular appointments (how stupid is that?) and now they tell us there's NO ROOM on their schedule. That's outrageously bad customer service. If they don't care about our dog, they don't care about yours. read more

I boarded my chihuahua at Almost Home for almost a week. The facility was nice with private kennels that would allow the dogs to access the outside. They require a meet and greet for new dogs, so we visited the kennel before her scheduled stay and got to view the facilities then . When we dropped off my dog, my mom wanted to take a quick look at the kennel because my mom has owned a cat kennel (out of state) for 30 years. The owner was reluctant, because they normally schedule these viewings, but let her see the back briefly. The concept of only allowing scheduled viewings bothers me a bit (because in my opinion, nothing should be happening at any point that you wouldn't want a dog owner to see), but I understand that some kennels operate that way . When we picked her up, my dog and her bedding were covered in urine (her coat was sticky from dried pee). The owner said that had some inappropriate elimination issues while she was there. This isn't unusual for animals in unfamiliar environments, so I would think a dog kennel would be prepared to deal with these situations and be able to keep the animals reasonably clean. Since her bedding was covered in urine (which the kennel owner seemed a little surprised about), along with her body, I can only assume she was sleeping in a urine coated bed and her bedding wasn't changed out when it became soiled. Overall, the people were friendly (they sent me a couple photos of my dog the day after we dropped her off) but I wouldn't board my dog here again. I really wanted to support/recommend Almost Home because my parents have owned and operated a cat boarding kennel for 30+ years, and I like to support mom-pop businesses, but I have to say I am pretty disappointed. read more

After numerous recommendations we started sending our dog to Almost Home. Very caring and thorough, nothing by wonderful experiences. I've recommended to friends who also have glowing things to say. Our dog practically jumps out of the car, when she sees we are going to Almost Home. Lee and Susan are wonderful and caring. I am guessing the negative reviews here are from people whose dogs bit others. It sucks but it happens. Susan and Lee do not allow dogs who "do not get along with others". They require a meet and greet to even allow a dog to be boarded. If such a dog was boarded at Almost Home, the owners were not forth coming about their problematic animal. read more

My dog does not get along with other dogs and was left with instructions to keep separated. At 1 am on a Friday I got a call that my dog had been in a fight AND that they had stabbed him with a knife to try to break up the fight. I had to find a friend to pick him up from the kennel because they wouldn't take him to the vet. read more

Beware.......your dog is left alone for hours on end at this place, without a human being on the premises despite their claims that your pet receives xtra attention. I requested a morning pick up on a day that they advertised one pick up time 3 - 5 pm.......and despite this being an urgent situation, I was flabbergasted to learn that the reason I could not pick her up early was that the dogs were fed and let out around 7 in the morning......then the owners left, and NO ONE was in the facility until 3 pm that day......that's 8 hrs with NO ONE there ........Almost Horrendous? read more

I don't really understand the bad reviews. My girlfriend and I took our dog Dalton, a 10lb chiweenie, to Almost Home pretty frequently during the two years we lived in Ithaca. They have a big yard for the dogs to run around and play together and heated, individual private rooms for the dogs to sleep in during those cold Ithaca winters. The owners, Lee and Susan, were always very friendly to us, and Dalton really loved them - whenever we showed up to pick him up, it seemed like he didn't want to leave. Also, the owners were very accommodating whenever we made last minute reservations, even during the holidays. Lastly, the prices were very reasonable, especially considering they give the dogs turndown service in the evenings (a treat left on their pillows)! read more

Fantastic! I was super nervous about leaving my dog somewhere because all my normal backup dog sitters were also going out of town. They had me bring him by so they could see him and decide if it would be a good fit, which is so much better than me dropping him off, and then finding out I need to have him picked up. He seemed great when I got him and I think it was exactly what he needed in a kennel. read more

Boarded our two dogs there over a year ago, but just now getting to yelp review. Returned to find most of the dog food we left for our dogs uneaten. Both seemed nervous and clingy for at least a day afterwards, which is not typical behavior for our dogs after being away from us. Worst, male owner screamed at my partner when she was 15 minutes late to drop off our dogs - to the point she felt fearful he would be violent. Never never never again - save you and your animal pain and do not board there. read more

I have found out about two dogs that were attacked, one killed, one loosing an eye while in the care of this kennel. i do not know the exact circumstances, but both incidents seem to have occurred when a group of dogs of various sizes were put in an area to "play" together. Anyone who has spent any time working with dogs knows that a 20 pound differential between dogs ca be a problem, resulting in "predatory drift" taking place, when the large dogs see the smaller dogs scurrying about like prey. That is why dog parks have separate areas for large and small dogs. I have grave concerns that the owners of this kennel have no concern for their canine charges, or are totally lacking in knowledge about canine behavior, and are most likely unintentionally setting up "group play" situations which can quickly become deadly to smaller dogs. Please take care and do not expose your dogs to kennel owners who have demonstrated they cannot keep your dog safe while in their care. read more