We boarded our dog, Jack (German Shepherd/Husky mix), at Pet Paradise from July 13-19, and…read moreunfortunately, had a very disappointing experience from start to finish.
While we were on vacation, I frequently checked the facility cameras and never once saw Jack. When we arrived to pick him up, we were informed that on the first day of boarding, he had appeared nervous in the play yard and was attempting to get out. Based on that observation, Pet Paradise made the decision to remove him from day play for the remainder of his stay.
The issue is that no one ever contacted us to discuss this decision or ask for our input. Knowing Jack, we believe he would have adjusted and been perfectly fine participating in day play. While Pet Paradise did remove the charge from our bill, the decision was made without our knowledge or consent, even though we paid for that service when we booked his stay.
Additionally, we paid to have Jack groomed before pickup, including nail trimming. We were told that the service could not be completed because he "kept trying to jump off the table." We have had Jack groomed at several other facilities over the years and have never encountered this issue. If a facility does not have the proper equipment or restraints needed to safely complete basic grooming services, those services should not be offered.
The nail trim that was performed was extremely sloppy. Some nails were clipped while others were left untouched. One of his dewclaws still had a large piece of nail hanging off it, and we later discovered he had a cracked nail that, according to our veterinarian, may extend close to the quick.
Unfortunately, the concerns did not end there. When we brought Jack home, he was not acting like himself. He slept nearly all day, showed little interest in food, and seemed lethargic. We initially assumed he was simply adjusting after boarding, but his condition continued for several days and eventually progressed to diarrhea.
After taking him to the veterinarian, we learned that Jack was significantly dehydrated and required fluids. He was also diagnosed with Giardia, a parasite that requires medication and treatment. To date, we have incurred $387 in veterinary expenses directly related to issues discovered immediately following his stay, and those costs may continue to increase.
Given the lack of communication regarding major decisions about our dog's care, the poor grooming quality, and the serious health concerns that arose immediately after boarding, we are extremely disappointed with our experience. Pet Paradise came highly recommended, which makes this outcome even more frustrating.
We entrusted Pet Paradise with our dog's well-being while we were away. Unfortunately, the experience left us feeling that important decisions were made without our involvement, services were not properly performed, and our dog returned home in significantly worse condition than when we dropped him off.
We will not be returning.