This review is in regards to the boarding services listed on their website as a service provided by this location. The 2-star review is only for this topic. For vet services I would give them a 4-5 st... Read More
This review is in regards to the boarding services listed on their website as a service provided by this location. The 2-star review is only for this topic. For vet services I would give them a 4-5 star as we've never had any issues when making a vet-only visit.
Boarding is listed on the VCA website for this location as 'boarding you can trust' and 'ideal if your pet needs special attention or monitoring'. We didn't anticipate needing these things when making the reservation months ago, but as our day of boarding got closer our pup was displaying some guarding and anxiety issues causing her to growl and warn people getting close to her. The week of boarding I phoned the vet to discuss this. I let them know all my concerns - for the dog, her behavior, the staff's safety, etc. I was clear and communicative about her possibly needing a muzzle or special handling to protect anyone should she show any of these signs during boarding. I very directly asked if this might be an issue we would be denied boarding because of. I was assured that the boarding wouldn't be an issue and that notes would be added to her file and I should also mention it all again upon check in. In the same call I inquired about the 'pet counseling' (aka vet behaviorist) service listed on the website but the staff member I spoke to seemed completely unaware of that service and provided a phone# to a third-party trainer (not vet behaviorist - and I already had a trainer). But I was also told the staff could be helpful in monitoring behavior during the dog's stay.
On the day of boarding, we checked in and communicated all concerns as we were instructed to do. The staff member doing our paperwork wrote 'use caution' on the top label of our check in sheet - indicating she clearly heard everything I'd said. We were placed in a vet room to wait for a vet tech to take the dog to the kennels. When the vet tech arrived, the dog was visibly anxious - having waiting over 45 mins for someone to come and attend to us. She woofed loudly at the vet tech while my husband was still holding her on leash and the vet tech left the room. No one came back to speak to us for 10 more minutes so I left the room to inquire what was happening. It was then that I was informed that their "hospital-style" kennels weren't going to work for my dog and they had decided not to board her. Normally I would understand - except that I had communicated my concerns TWICE to multiple staff members in anticipation of this being an issue. Finding out last minute makes me believe that they either didn't listen, didn't believe me, or wanted to try to get my money for boarding regardless of what I was saying.
Small help - which earned them the 2 star instead of 1 star in this review is that they recommended another kennel in the area and made a phone call on our behalf to see if there was availability for checking in that day. The kennel we were recommended to was wonderful, and had some professional 'tricks' to ease the dog with a game of switching the leash to coax her into their care. And incidentally, she was not anxious and perfectly well behaved for her entire stay, allowing staff handling, walking, petting, etc. So be warned that Village Animal Hospital just wants your money, is clueless about dog behavior, does not have a vet behaviorist on staff, and only has "hospital-style" kennels despite the website information about your dogs "comfortable boarding with additional amenities available".
Note - I previously reviewed their Vet services and was very pleased.
reviewed Village Animal Hospital € 5 star
February 26
Wonderful, caring staff! So great with the animals too. And they take the time to explain options, medications, treatments so you can make good choices for your pets. Even on a hectic Saturday we felt like we got good attention to our well being and our puppy's health. Read Less