As it's been said, upon arrival, I was a little leery about leaving my buddy there while I went to Kauai for 4 days. It was to be the longest he would have been without me since he was adopted at 6 weeks. There IS a sign, but nothing but a closed privacy fence and a rather uninviting house. So, I called the number again and someone finally picked up. The male half of the business-owner partnership was at the store. Granted, I was about 30 minutes early, but I waited in the dirt parking lot with my dog for the 30 minutes until he got back. I don't know why she (who was home) couldn't help me. So, for that, 1 star down.
However, if my dog gets great care and I'm comforted while I'm away, MY convenience is secondary. This was the case. When I did meet them and saw the facility, I felt better. My border collie pup was to stay up next to the house with the other puppies. He was going to get some socialization, which is great. I DID NOT want my dog staying isolated in a kennel with 30 minutes of "exercise" as some other kennels do. That is treatment reserved for violent convicted criminals is prison, not my 7 month old puppy. The grounds are open and walks were given often in addition to the socialization. All this for very little money. They genuinely seemed to like the dogs in their care. And it seemed like they have a small, loyal clientele. One negative was that he had some fleas on him when I got him back...BUT...he played outside a lot and was around other dogs for 4 days. A quick bath fixed that. Not a huge deal.
Overall:
(-) uninviting and confusing entrance
(-) made me wait for 30 minutes outside
(-) came back with a few fleas
(+) owners cared for the dogs
(+) quiet, large, off-the-path location
(+) opportunity for socialization
(+) did not spend 23 1/2 hours a day in solitary confinement
(+) low cost
(+) oh, and she mentioned that they sometimes take the dogs to the beach, which is only a couple miles away!
A few negatives, but I felt ok leaving him there and will be back. Don't think they do this to make tons of money, but because they like dogs. Suggestion: answer the phone and tidy up the entrance!
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