AWFUL. NEVER AGAIN.
This is the first poor review I've ever left for anything in my entire life. I am a 15 year military veteran and have boarded my dogs dozens of times for trips, deployments, holidays, etc. Never could I have imagined "dog boarding" to not include kennels? Here was our experience:
I was slightly late trying to get Christmas boarding secured for our two dogs. I made the reservations approximately two weeks before Christmas as a result of our normal 3 locations being booked. I found the Paws N Play website via Google and called to inquire availability. They advised they had room for overnight boarding on the dates we needed. I then filled out a 5 page questionnaire and emailed over vaccination records for each dog.
When I arrived to drop the dogs off, there was no one working in the main area inside the doors and there was a sign to come around the corner to the garage. The door on the garage said knock softly, so I did. Then the door opened and 10+ large (100+ pound) dogs came running out, surrounding me, several jumping on me and my dogs (mine were both leashed).
The owners? asked the dogs names and when I'd be back. I looked around and noticed the areas where the kennels were did not have heat (it is the middle of winter). I asked where the dogs would sleep? They advised the dogs would all sleep together in the "garage". There were over 15 dogs, and only 6-7 kennels. I told them it seemed odd to me that all these random dogs would be allowed to run loose together and then would be left alone overnight not kenneled? They said it was fine and reassured me it would be alright. I had to make the decision of skip Christmas vacation out of town, or leave the dogs with these people who obviously have no business in the boarding business. I left the dogs as we would only be gone 48 hours. They advised the dogs were supervised from 8AM -7PM daily and were "put to bed" around 7PM daily.
When I returned slightly less than 48 hours later, the lights were off to the building and I could hear all the dogs running around together, not kenneled. Dogs ranged in size from 20lbs - 130lbs approx and all dogs were allowed to run together completely unsupervised. I then had to go knock on the house (detached from the boarding facility) and ask to get my dogs. When they let me in the facility, I confirmed the lights were off and the dogs were free to do whatever with no supervision, and not kept separate from each other.
We have lived in many different cities, and boarded our dogs at dozens of locations over the years. I have never had a bad experience anywhere, and don't pay for lavish accommodations. This was the most expensive I've ever paid at $56 for 2 dogs for 24 hours. This was also the worst possible experience I could've imagined. I thought for sure I would be returning to find severe injuries or illness to each dog. That luckily did not happen, but I can assure you - at some point it will become a reality for this horribly managed establishment. I will also be following up with the State of Nebraska to conduct an inquiry as to the policies and practices of this facility. I would not recommend any services from Paws n Play Omaha, and will continue to spread the word to avoid at all costs. read more
