we have send our George here for 10 years and they have always bent over backwards to accommodate our poorly and fussy spaniel. George was 2 when he started there and continued until he was 12. sadly through complications with his health he passed away. (nothing to do with them) I sent them a card to show our appreciation. Four stars is cause their opening times can be a little weird for our schedule. read more

It has taken me quite a few weeks to pen the following review as we have been trying to process everything that happened. We have used this kennels for many years for our lovely German Shepherd Dog Max. We have always had good experiences with the team who run the kennels. However, I feel that people need to be warned about our recent experience. We boarded Max in Deerness Kennels in April of this year (2022) When we picked him up we were told that he had been quite stressed,that he had barked a lot and that his stools had been runny. Max was in a very poor state on collection, he did not greet us and when we got him home we realised that he did indeed have a poorly tummy. We contacted our vets who advised a bland diet etc. Within 24 hours Max's condition worsened and we rushed him into the vets but unfortunately we were too late and we lost him. The vets do not know what the cause of his illness was, however had they seen him sooner ie. when he first took ill they feel there may have been something they could have done. They were shocked to know that he was boarded and that upon taking ill within the establishment they were not contacted for their professional opinion on Max's condition. I rang Deerness the day after we lost Max to let them know what had happened, in case any other dogs were poorly etc however the response I received was very cold and dismissive. This upset me more then anything, Max had been going to this kennels for years and yet the response from the owner was disappointing to say the least. This response has now lead me to leave this review to warn other users of this kennels. If you do plan to use them, insist that if your dog takes ill while in their care they contact your vet or at least give you a call for your advice. Our lovely boy Max was only 4 and was given a full bill of health by his vet only 3 months before he stayed at this establishment. To say that we are heartbroken from this whole experience is an understatement. read more

Very unhappy about this place! I have found owner to be very unhelpful and unfriendly. I feel that the business is purely for profit and not at all for the animals themselves. Focus is on boarding rather than rescue side of business. Rescue dogs appear to be an inconvenience to owner. I have used many similar services over the years, and will never use this place again. read more

I made a visit here to see about volunteering in my own time to help out, and as a prospective customer to board my dog for holidays. I was shocked to discover myself being lectured and almost 'told off' in a way by the owner. He was one of the most condescending and unfriendly people I have ever come across. Apparently being 21 and currently studying animal care with sufficient experience of domestic animals, particularly dogs, their husbandry, behaviour, and cleaning practise, had no sway on this man. He continued to speak to me as if I was half my age with no idea of what it means to work in a kennel. He had literally NO customer service manner at all and was downright rude. I honestly felt threatened by his manner and the degrading things he was saying to me, an innocent person offering to help. 'Can you use a mop or clean windows? I bet your COLLEGE doesn't teach you THAT?' 'When you start here, you have to be prepared for us to say 'We don't want you!'' 'You gotta be in sensible attire, you don't see any if US here in anything else do you?' And many other statements which felt like subtle attacks and insults. I entered Deerness Kennels happy, ready to lend my time to help out, as well as considering to use them in the near future. And 10 minutes later, I left quite shaken and upset, intent on never going there to volunteer or board my dog. read more

I personally don't agree with previous reviews regarding Deerness. Myself and my family have adopted a dog from Deerness but also rehomed another before she was sent into foster by them. The latest dog I adopted was a Lurcher and before we even considered this potential dog, we asked as many questions as we could regarding her. Some questions they were incapable of answering which is fair since they hadn't had her long. They asked questions regarding our garden and our house and we had to confirm, they didnt visit our house but not many kennels do now a days which is why I have only gave 4 stars. Given how many dogs are re homed then I can sort of understand why but i still dont agree with it. Myself and my family found them amazing to deal with and really kind to the dogs in their care. As for the price,yes it is expensive but in my mind it needs to be done. I believe you need to spend over £100 to prove that you can afford the dog, not to mention that not many people would use a £100 dog for bate or fighting as that would be money lost on there mind. When we adopted our lurcher we able to buy the majority of things that she needed at Deerness due to a little shop they have which came in handy. Overall, if I was to adopt another dog then I would most certainly go to Deerness again,no doubt in my mind. read more

Misleading Kennel. If your looking to re home a dog. Do not go here. I paid a £100 for a Boarder Terrier recently. The owner suggested I brought in our other pets to familliarise with this dog . We brought along our sons dogs, and the Kennel dog was fine with them, and they with him. What they failed to tell us , was Information they had from the previous owner. Which was, that the dog was not good around other dogs when off the lead. When out off the lead he twice went to bite dogs under their belly, even on the lead when near other dogs he takes an aggressive stance. When I rang the Kennel and asked about this they read from the previous dog owner Information that the dog was fine off the lead if no other dogs were around. I said to them why did you not tell me this when you had this Information, as I would never had bought the dog if I had known that. There lame excuse was I asked enough questions. They would not listen to me when I said they had a duty and responsibility to inform people of all information they had on the dog before selling it. So that a potential new owner could make an informed choice. The seller would not listen and would not agree to give me my money back. Even though I explained he was breaking his policies that it was a breach of contract and that I was misled, and furthermore it was the only money I was given to me before my mother died in November last year. I am now left with a dog that is difficult for us to cope with. I mentioned to the owner that I had been in touch with Trading Standards and that they have informed me they will be in further contact with the kennel to ensure they have a proper checklist in future of former owner information about the dog to give to a new owner. Whether or not this Kennel owner abides by this is questionable? It is certainly of no help to me now. MY ADVICE- GO ELSEWHERE FOR YOUR FAMILY PET. read more

I know people associated with the charity that work with these kennels and currently own a dog from here who was seriously ill and a rescue dog. A friend has a disturbed dog as a rescue dog. The kennels brought these dogs back to health. My collie was very malnourished and concern was shown throughout until he put on weight. I cannot agree with the above criticism and find the kennels above average for a council run concern. read more

Purely a money making business, £75-00 TO PUT ONE IN AND A £125.00 TO TAKE ONE OUT They dont do any checks on people wanting them, or any follow ups to see how a dog has settled, sometimes these poor dogs are in and out like yo yo's This would not happen if they did proper backround checks,and really stressed to people how vunruble these dogs are and what a comitment your taking on in rehoming a rescue dog,they send dogs out one day after being spayed these dogs are frightened and alone what should be a place of salvation for them turns into a living nightmare for them. sometimes you wonder if it would be kinder to put them out of there missery (at least it would be quick),one puppy are friends rescued was in a terrible state (you could see its ribs and pin bones) IT WAS IN A DREADFUL STATE!!! Believe it or not this puppy was only being fed once a day!!!! My friends took it to there vet for a checkup and it was found to be grossley underweight and extreamly dehydrated. The management dont want to know,when my friend complained the man could not get rid of them quick enough.(THAT SAID IT ALL!!!!) SADLY TO HIM ITS RECUE DOGS ARE INCONVENIENCE, BUT FOR THE LEAST OUTLAY ON HIS SIDE, THESE POOR DOGS ARE NOW HIS BREAD AND BUTTER.!! read more