I think the store itself is decent...a little slow on the registers but the staff usually approaches customers asking if you need help. Also, Banfield here is alright too. I take my dog here since we moved out to Woodridge from Bloomingdale (They're excellent at Bloomingdale Banfield).
This review is for the Pet Smart Pet HOTEL. DO NOT TAKE YOUR PET HERE. They are horrible..and stupid....YES, I threw that card in there because they ARE STUPID!!!! Normally, I take my dog to Paradise for PAWS located by O'Hare or Midway and they are pricey but FANTASTIC!!! They were all booked several months in advance so I looked into Pet Hotel for my 16 year old dog to stay here over new years (December 31-Jan 2). My husband and I were going out of town for a cruise Dec 29-Jan 4. Our friend had agreed on watching him Dec 29-31 and Jan 2-4th. It was my first time with them so I made several visits in person to check it out, asked information, and then booked his stay in a private suite via telephone. The staff asked me all the usual registration questions...name, phone number, dog's name, breed, feeding info, vet/vaccination info, etc. I asked if that was all they needed. They said yes. I called several times to notify them that I would be out of the country and a friend would be dropping him off and picking him up and I followed up and make sure everything was in order, how to pay since I was going on a cruise and would be out of the country. They would not take a pre-payment, I would have to give my friend my credit card or buy a PetSmart Gift card, which I did for $200. I asked about what items to bring, etc. They told me to bring something washable for his bedding, his food if I don't want to use theirs. I mentioned that he has his own prescription dog food. Our situation changed and our friend couldn't watch him the days we needed so I called a couple nights before to change his booking to Dec 29-Jan 2 and asked if they had everything they need from my end. They said everything was great and they would see my dog on the 29th.
So, on the day of the 29th, ON OUR WAY TO THE AIRPORT, we went to go drop off our dog. With him, we had a portable bag that contained 2 bowls built in, his prescription dog food, toys, treats, and a blanket. The reason I had all these things packed was so my friend who would be picking him up and watching him the rest of the time would have the things she needed. The lady working said they couldn't take the bag because "there's no space". I booked my dog for a SUITE, so there was actually space! I asked her to use mine instead of their feeding bowls and the lady said no, then changed her mind and said she would keep the bag in her office. Then, she finds out that my dog is 16 years old and about his prescription dog food (prescribed by Banfield also located in the SAME store, for "Renal issues") suddenly tells me she needs to look into it and see if they can take him. She makes some calls and turns out they cannot take my dog in for boarding due to his old age and medical "issues". Excuse me, WHAT??!! We have a flight to catch in a few hours and you are telling me you can't take him?!?? She proceeds to give us a few phone numbers of Vets with boarding...some an hour away! At this point I am crying my eyes out and so pissed off because what VET is going to take him in last minute before NEW YEARS and we should already be on our way to the airport! Surely we are going to miss our flight and our cruise and we are stuck here scrambling to find a dog sitter within 10 minutes. I asked the lady why I was not told these things BEFORE during all the times I visited and called. She said I never mentioned it! Well, I was never asked these questions so how the hell am I supposed to know it would be an issue? I've never had problems at Paradise for PAWS. If these things were KNOWN issues as to WHY they can't take a pet, wouldn't you think you would take more care screening the pets DURING booking and registration????
We called all our family and friends and our poor 16 year old dog ended up being stuck at home by himself for Dec 31-Jan 2 but we were fortunate enough to have our family, friends and neighbor all come by and take him out for walks and take care of him until my friend could watch him again.
Basically, all those visits and phone calls, the staff at Pet Hotel could not find out these bits of information and tell me their restrictions before hand? The staff really don't care to do a bit of extra work when it comes to screening and registering pets. If they can't handle registering a pet properly, how well are they actually taking care of your pets? This place is run by a bunch of people just working mindlessly. Never again. Take your pets to other boarding places. read more