Originally Posted by ckuz13 (Post 1856697)

I worked at a wonderful vet clinic and we took great care of our animals. We kept our boarding to a minimum and made sure each pet got lots of attention throughout the day. We had a night shift too. And the Vet came to the clinic each and every night about 3:00 Am. to check on all the pets. Great place. But these are few are far between. I moved to Az and worked for a brief time at another vet clinic that also did boarding for extra profit. One holiday weekend the clinic overbooked the boarding facilities. The doctor out of pure greed, took in clients that we could not find room for. He assured us that things would be fine. He moved animals around to make room for the bigger animals. Nevermind that people payed for the cages based on weight. He let some friends of his board wolf hybrids. He put them in the bathroom with a pocketdoor as a barrier. In the middle of the night the dogs got out and ate one of our clients guinea pigs. She had boarded her often and felt this was a safe place for her. When I came in the next morning I was mortified. I heard the vet tell our client her guinea pig died of stress from being in the clinic. He said he would have her cremated and pay for her ashes as a favor. He took an unclaimed urn of dog ashes off the shelf and gave them to her. She was so heartbroken. I told the rest of the staff how horrible he was to do this. And I threatend to report him and I felt this poor women should know the truth. But I was the only one who felt this way. I was told I would only make things worse by telling her what really happened. But this poor women felt guilty for going to Hawaii and leaving her beloved guinea pig. I quit and never went back to this place again. This is the first time I ever told anyone outside my family of this incident. This was 11 years ago. I never ever boarded again. I carried the guilt of this story for a long time. Please do reserch if you ever have to resort to boarding. Check the facility ask a lot of questions. Go to the back and check the cages. If they don't let you back walk out. Spend the X-tra cash for a run. Even if you have a small breed. Friends or relatives are your best bet for care..thanks

Originally Posted by YorkichonBella (Post 1856730)

Thank you for sharing your story. I know this was hard for you. This was my reason too for sharing my story, to let others know what really goes on. I was upset about the care they got which was little. They are being paid. They should give quality service.

Originally Posted by MindieRose (Post 1857061)

I worked for a vets office with boarding facilities. For bigger dogs its not that bad. They can hold it much longer. We allowed anything in the run or cage with them that the owners requested, we would just write it on their chart. We had a large fenced in area that the dogs were allowed to run for 15 minutes, 3 xs a day, twice on weekends. They were fed twice a day, or once, depending on the owners request, with whatever food the owner brought, or if they didnt bring any, were fed Science Diet.
I do think the little dogs should be let out more, but they were very strict there about policy.
Personally, when I was there taking care of the dogs, I would hold them (if they were little), snuggle them, play fetch outside, and even take pictures of them to bring home and show the kids. I LOVED it, and treated them like they were my dogs. I would even walk throughout the kennel area several times a shift, bringing hypoallergenic treats to them so they felt loved.
If any dog had to be medicated, we could administer the pills, but if they needed an injection, the vet would have to sign off on it after it was done. It was VERY well organized. If a dog messed on its bed, we would wash it. But in your case, it could have just happened that day when no one was there.

Its a lesson learned in your case. Most vets offices are glad to answer any questions you have up front. Most every office is closed on the weekend, meaning only 2 outside trips.
I dont think complaining will do anything. They have their policy and their routine probably works well for larger dogs. If you ever board anywhere again, I would suggest asking every place how often they go out, and if they are walked or have a place to run. If they only go out 3 times a day, you can always suggest they go out more than that, I had more than one client do that before, and we did as they wished. You just have to make your requests known so they can write it on their chart and they will probably be more than happy (to your face at least ;) ) to follow what you want, within reason.

Originally Posted by Jeri Cunningham (Post 1857421)

Maybe YT needs to start a babysitting exchange.

That way if you live close to another YT member they can babysit. This would be great for those times when there is no one else.

I know one of my babies owners lives in Orange County near Los Angeles and flys to Oakland or San Francisco if she has to go anywhere for a long period of time. She went to London for a week and flew to SF, I picked up Winston before she flew on to London. The next week I returned him to the SF airport and him and his mom flew home.

I would be happy to babysit a YT members baby if needed.

How about it!

Originally Posted by YorkichonBella (Post 1856459)

I'm so upset that we had to board my Bella and my granpuppy! It was such a Mistake!:mad: Usually, my daughter & I take turns petsitting, but this trip we all went along, me/my husband/my daughter. Bella/Cole were boarded at the Vet for 7 nites.:( Of course, it was our last option, but you would Think being at a Vet - they would be in experienced hands. I called often to check up on them. The day after I left them when I called, I was told they were not with the cats (as I requested). If they barked, they had to be in kennel run. Well, I did wonder if that would be better because I was concerned about them being in a crate for so long, so I felt a little better that it was for the best. They could then be together and play. I continued to call and check and was told they were eating ok and were fine. They close early on Sat. We got home late Sat so this meant they had to stay 2 more nites. My husband & I were there 7:30 am Mon to get them. I hated that we were not allowed to pick them up earlier on weekend due to regular staff not there to check out, etc. Anyway, they brought them out - my husband grabbed Cole. I grabbed Bella. We were concentrating on giving them Love/Attention when Bella started gagging! The assistant had put one of those leashes around her neck that pulls and of course she was excited and it was really tight. They should Never use these on small dogs anyway!:mad: But that's not the worst......out of the corner of my eye as my husband was helping me to get the leash off Bella.....I noticed the assistant holding the 2 red striped beds we had left......(you can see in avatar pic)......they weren't even the same color. Drenched in Urine! I couldn't believe my eyes. I said to her....."What HAPPENED?" She replied.....I don't know. I didn't work this weekend. I was so Angry.:mad: I asked, Were they even taken out? She replied - yes, twice a day. I was so Angry, I just wanted to get them out of there and said LOUDLY.....they won't be coming back!! The beds were so bad, we threw them away. I hate to think of what they went through. NEVER AGAIN! And I hope everyone learns from my mistake. I spent today giving them much Needed Love & feeling guilty. I'm not sure how I will handle w/Vet tomorrow, but I'm not letting this go. What would you do?

Originally Posted by amandawash (Post 1857365)

I am going to get flamed here and I'm am sorry for making this comment....

I realize everyone thinks that the vet's office should be the best place for boarding due to the fact there is a vet there. However, a vet does not go to 6-8 years of school to board dogs. They are extremely busy, many times they have nothing AT ALL to do with the boarders- why would they? They are busy with clients all day. And I am sorry, but a "good vet" should not be required to come in on their after hours to check out a dog. Many vets are on-call at least one night per week, sometimes more, and usually weekends as well. This is for emergencies. Are they not allowed a life with their family??

Most vet offices I have seen do not allow dogs to be released until working hours. They are not getting paid enough money to come in on their own time. If you don't like that, don't take them there.

I am not trying to be a you-know-what, but I am just a little sensitive when people start bashing vets. I know there are some REALLY bad ones out there (the one that lied about the guinea pig) but most are extremely good. I think most vets start out in their career by going absolutely above and beyond, but are quickly soured due to unrealistic expectations, overtly critical clients, and extremely long hours with absolutely no credit.

I'm sorry your babies had this experience. I would not board at a vet's office for the reasons you stated, but please don't blame the vet himself...

Originally Posted by ARCHIE (Post 1857524)

I understand what you are saying, however, if a vet offers this service
he should be responsbile to see that it is done properly. After all he
is collecting a fee for this service as well. It dosen't come free or cheap.
His staff should be trained in caring for the pets as well as giving potty
breaks, play time etc. If he dosen't want to be bothered with this than
he should not be offering the service. What is right is right.

Originally Posted by ARCHIE (Post 1857524)

I understand what you are saying, however, if a vet offers this service
he should be responsbile to see that it is done properly. After all he
is collecting a fee for this service as well. It dosen't come free or cheap.
His staff should be trained in caring for the pets as well as giving potty
breaks, play time etc. If he dosen't want to be bothered with this than
he should not be offering the service. What is right is right.

Originally Posted by amandawash (Post 1857365)

I am going to get flamed here and I'm am sorry for making this comment....

I realize everyone thinks that the vet's office should be the best place for boarding due to the fact there is a vet there. However, a vet does not go to 6-8 years of school to board dogs. They are extremely busy, many times they have nothing AT ALL to do with the boarders- why would they? They are busy with clients all day. And I am sorry, but a "good vet" should not be required to come in on their after hours to check out a dog. Many vets are on-call at least one night per week, sometimes more, and usually weekends as well. This is for emergencies. Are they not allowed a life with their family??

Most vet offices I have seen do not allow dogs to be released until working hours. They are not getting paid enough money to come in on their own time. If you don't like that, don't take them there.

I am not trying to be a you-know-what, but I am just a little sensitive when people start bashing vets. I know there are some REALLY bad ones out there (the one that lied about the guinea pig) but most are extremely good. I think most vets start out in their career by going absolutely above and beyond, but are quickly soured due to unrealistic expectations, overtly critical clients, and extremely long hours with absolutely no credit.

I'm sorry your babies had this experience. I would not board at a vet's office for the reasons you stated, but please don't blame the vet himself...

Originally Posted by ARCHIE (Post 1857524)

I understand what you are saying, however, if a vet offers this service
he should be responsbile to see that it is done properly. After all he
is collecting a fee for this service as well. It dosen't come free or cheap.
His staff should be trained in caring for the pets as well as giving potty
breaks, play time etc. If he dosen't want to be bothered with this than
he should not be offering the service. What is right is right.

Originally Posted by tobyfan (Post 1857514)

This whole thread is VERY upsetting to me mainly because I may HAVE to board Bob the end of next month!!! He has an appointment on April 2nd to be interviewed at Camp Bow Wow in Edmond, Okla to see if he qualifies!!! :confused:
http://www.campbowwow.com/us/ok/edmond/

I will be going to Pennsylvania and now hubby wants to go with me and that leaves me needing to figure out something with Bob. My grandma is having surgery so taking him wont be an option this time.

OMG..Im so worried. I wish wish wish we did have the YT circle of people that would and could watch our beloved babies...I would GLADLY pay for that kind of care, wouldnt you all?????????????