My healthy 4 yr old Golden Retriever DIED in their care!!!!! Back in 2007, yes, I am still holding a grudge, I placed my 4 year old Golden Retriever in their care. I had had numerous conversations with them about leaving my dog in their care, and my fears. History, we had left this same Golden in the care of my vet/boarding (not bennett's) for a week when he was just a year old and when I returned home he was skin and bones. So I had pet sitters that I personally knew come into my house from that point on. Unfortunately, my trusted sitters were unavailable the week we were going on vacation. I searched and fretted over leaving my Golden in a kennel. I chose Bennett's b/c they actually raised Goldens and assured me they knew their temperaments and had experienced other Goldens with separation anxiety. They had our phone numbers and the number of my vet. They promised me they would call me immediately with any problems of not eating and such. My Golden had been to the Vet for a check up and to update him for kennel cough, and we left them in Bennett's care on Friday. Tuesday evening at 4:50 pm we received a call that my Golden was on day #2 of not eating, he was "mopey" as they described him. I told them I would call immediately make calls to friends to come get him, so I desperately reached out to my one friend, and I she agreed to go get him. I immediately called Bennett's back to tell them she was coming for him (5:05pm), but they did not wait for me, and closed up shop. I left message after message. My friend promised to be there first thing in the am to pick up my Golden. They opened at 9 am, and she was there as promised. They would not give her my dog, b/c my precious Golden had died overnight. My friend called and gave me the news...yes, my friend, not Bennett's. I had my Golden delivered to my vet for cremation, and my vet check him over thoroughly, including tapping his stomach. They weighed my Golden, he had lost 10 pounds. 10 POUNDS. According to my vet, average weight loss of a dog his size is about 2 pounds/day if they are NOT EATING. His gums were recessed, he was dehydrated, and the vet felt he had not eaten or drank anything since he was in their care, placing him into major organ failure and shut down. I had signed paperwork with Bennett's that stated if my animal needed vet care, that they would contact my vet, and I would be responsible for that vet bill plus the boarding bill when I return. They NEVER ONCE called my vet, they called me according to them, on day 2 of his not eating, and him being "mopey". I trusted them. My Golden died in their care, and I never did receive any phone calls from Bennett's kennel manager, or the owner of Bennett's. It took weeks of me calling and calling b/f I was able to speak with the owner, and his response was, "I thought this matter was taken care of". Yep, it sure was, my dog was dead. I will NEVER, EVER use another kennel b/c of this, and I will NEVER, EVER recommend this kennel to anyone. read more
