Okay, sorry. I know this will be long but I just had one of the worst experiences of my life.
So the police called the owner and she called me back. She was a VERY nice woman who said that she couldn't believe they closed up without giving the cat back. She also said that she has tried to retire for a while now but hasn't been able to because of not being able to find good help, so apparently bad stuff has happened before. She apologized and told me that she sent the lady over to get the cat out ASAP. I told her thank you and that I was headed there right away. I can't say enough how nice and apologetic this lady was. I suggested to her next time to offer emergency numbers, to call the person, and to tell people to pick up their pets no later than 530 since they close at 6.
So I got there and waited about 10 minutes with my son and the lady pulls up in her car. She walks up to the door and unlocks it and then she turns around and says that she can't believe that I lied to the police. I told her that I did not lie. She kept saying that over and over again and then she even said she waited for me after 6! She said that they didn't have a phone number written down for me. I gave them 2 phone numbers. She said the cat was safe and when I didn't come she put her carrier up on the shelf and gave her food. I said that she shouldn't have given her food without knowing what she eats. I knew we were getting no where, so I just told her that I wanted the cat back. So get this. She tells me that I OWE HER ANOTHER $25 for "after hours care!" So it would be $70. I said whatever and then she went inside to write the bill.
Then I thought about it. She is probably going to pocket the $25! I am not going to let her make a career out of all of the stress and anguish she put me through tonight. So I told her that I would not pay that $25 fee and she said I couldn't have my cat back! I asked her if she could call the owner because the owner DID NOT say anything about an extra $25 and was even apologizing to me. The lady said that she is the assistant manager and can do that. I asked her, "Well what if you pocket that money as a tip?" Then she said she wasn't getting paid to drive all the way out here!
I asked her to call the owner, I want to hear it from her. She said I could come in and talk the owners in the morning during working hours but I have to pay the fee. (This b*tch would do anything for that $25 right? Maybe she saw it as an money making opportunity or is just being spiteful.) I told her that my cell phone wasn't recieving a signal, so I can't call the owner but I'll call the police as soon as I get to a phone. She then went inside for 10 minutes "calling the owner." Then she went back outside and said I don't have to pay the fee, just the $45.
Thought the story was finished? I WISH! So I thought, great and went to the car and wrote the check. Then I handed it from her and she said that they don't take checks. I told her that she did last time. And she said that she didn't. I told her that when I went there a month ago they took checks! She said that under these circumstances cash only.Not even a creditcard.(I think she just wanted to pocket my money again for herself) So I told her that I do not carry THAT much cash on me and where is the closest ATM. She gave me some complicated directions that didn't make sense (Get in the left lane after the bridge and turn right??? I still don't understand that one.) And after she gave the directions 3 times and I got a paper to write it down she finally said a check would be okay. I do think maybe my 4 year old had something to do with it because he asked her why she won't give the kitty back.
So I got her back finally and took her out to make sure she was okay. She was upset and they put a bandana thing around her neck. (I really hate when they do that because she is not used to things around her neck.) But she is laying on the bed where she belongs so happy to be home.
I am sorry this got so long. I knew that you guys would understand it if your baby locked up in some building by herself. So I really want to thank you YT. I probably wouldn't have had the guts to call the police or tell the lady NO when she tried to charge me the extra $25. I don't have any family here and my husband is my rock. But he goes underway in the Navy like he is right now and I really feel like I have you guys to rely when I need support. Thanks again.

Wow, what an ordeal!! I am so glad she is back safe and sound!!!!

I know you just wanted to get your kitty back and didnt want to get a big thing going, but I would not have payed the 45 AND I would have asked to use her phone to call the owner. Other wise I am going to the nearest phone to call the cops.


Glad u got ur kitty back!!! I would find a new groomer now thou.

wow...
 

My advice to you...Call the owner in the morning and tell her how her "Manager" treated you! The owner sounds nicer than that! Hopefully she will make it right with you! Good luck and I am happy you got your baby back safely! I was concerned!
~Tru

Good grief! The nerv of some people :mad: I would try and see the owner in person and give her your story, tell her what a wonderful "manager" she has employed... if you don't get any satisfaction, have a piece put in your local newspaper so that other animal lovers are aware of what could happen to their beloved pet if they drop them off there at the pet hotel.

I'm happy you got your baby back safe and sound...:thumbup:

I am so sorry you went thru that, I'd a decked her, jacked her jaw..after I asked my boy to look the other way of course.:rolleyes:

OK, so I want to know!!!
 

Did you get your kitty??? I am freaking out for you!!!:eek:

OH THANK GOODNESS!! Just saw the post where you did get her back!! CONGRATS!!!!

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. So glad you got your kitty safely home! What is this world coming to.!

I am sorry this had to happen to you. I am glad you got your Kitty back. I would definately call the owner today and tell her what transpired when you met her "ASSt. Mangager".

I am so glad you got her back!!!
 

And by the way, loved the pics!!! That is one purdy puddy tat!!!

Thank you guys for your compliments. She didn't leave my side all night. Well, actually my feet. I woke up really early this morning thinking about it. I wanted to put everything behind me, but I really do think I should call the owner because I think the lady wanted to pocket $70 because she only wanted cash. She also didn't give me a reciept. I wrote a check so I hope she doesn't write some numbers in because I DID NOT tip her. I also want to warn the owner in case the manager has the power to cash the check herself. I know the manager is money hungry because she told me that she deserved something for driving there because she wasn't getting paid for it. The reason I gave her the $45 is because the buisness did do the work I requested, so I thought that was fair. I would only accept it as free if they suggested it.
So here are some tips for the groomers because I don't want anyone to get away with this and keep their baby from them. I was kind of scared because sometimes my atm card doesn't work with some ATMs, what if I couldn't get cash? What if I hadn't had the extra $25 she wanted? Here is what I will do from now on and what I recommend.
*Ask to see the card with your information on it and make sure they wrote it down correctly. (I had filled out a paper with them, someone had transferred my phone information onto the card incorrectly.)
*Ask them for their emergency numbers.
*Ask for some type of drop off slip stating the type of dog you dropped off, the time to pick up, and your name.
I was kind of scared that they might have been trying to steal her because I told her that she is quality and not fixed. But I did not accuse her of it because it is not popular to steal cats around here. Had it have been my yorkie Brandy, I would have accused her because she is much younger and worth $1500+ here in San Diego. Yorkies get stolen all the time. But I was thinking that I was kind of screwed, if she said that I did not drop her off I had NO proof that I did. I will call the owner in a bit as it is still early over here.

I agree, you should have a talk with the owner about that manager!!!!!!!

I am glad to read you got your kitty back, aww she's just gorgeous and I know she's happy to be back at home in familiar surroundings.

I'm glad you got your kitty back! Sounds like the owner has some real problems with her employees...I'm anxious to hear about your call to her today!

You did a great job pushing the issue, it would've been really hard.

Wow Cheryl, I'm so sorry for your ordeal. What a horrible place!!!! I would never ever take my pet there again. To be honest this is the reason I don't take Coco to a groomer. She's small and cute and anyone could steal here, plus why add all the extra stress?? So I just learned to groom her myself. It's messy and hard and sometimes frustrating but its worth it to me.

WOW!! What an ordeal. Did you call the owner? I'm curious to see what she has to say. Looks like it's time to look for a new groomer!

I bring the cat to the groomer because her fur is much more messy than the dog's and she doesn't take baths as well. She claws me and afterward she runs for me and hides under the bed for 3 days.
The owner wasn't as apologetic today. She told me that the timecards said 615 when the girls punched out. I don't understand it because I was there at 610 and there were no cars. She had said to come after 6. The lady had said that there might have been a misunderstanding. Maybe they lied or my car clock is off, I don't know. But to me it's wrong to lock my cat up in a building like that.
I told her that I thought it was really unprofessional of the lady to call me a lier, esspecially infront of my son. I told her that I was a supervisor in the Navy for 5 years in customer service and that is not how a customer is to be treated. All she said is that she wasn't there and wouldn't know what was said.
I told the owner that I think the lady was trying to steal from her company because she wanted cash only and the $25 service fee when before there was no problem with a check. The owner said that it was really costly to keep the store open and to send the girl there (even though the girl said she wasn't getting paid for it). The owner kept making excuses for them saying that everything was put away. I have no idea why that makes a difference between a check or cash.
I honestly feel like in a way my cat was held for ransom last night. That lady could have said any amount of money just because she knew I had to have her back. She tried to take advantage of me. I really hope this never happens to anyone else, because I'm still in tears.
I will however use my freedom of speech and tell anyone DO NOT DEAL WITH THE LA MESA PET HOTEL/GROOMING

I would be curious to see if they had anything posted on the wall or door of the place saying that they close at 6 sharp and what happens to animals not picked up at that time. And if I were you, and I did not feel that the situation was resolved to my satisfaction, I would go to the local television station and speak to a reporter. Tell them your story and they may see fit to run a piece on it...that would get the word out to a lot of people. You never know. I mean, what if that had been a 1 or 2 pound tiny Yorkie and they had put her up with the wrong food or NO food. A potential disaster is waiting to happen with those people and they way they practice business. I am glad it all turned out good in your case tho...really glad.

I can't imagine any groomer NOT CALLING before they closed up for the night. What they did is ridiculous!!! I would definitely call the Better Business Bureau or the local Chamber of Commerce and discuss the situation with them. I, personally, would not let this rest until I received some better form of apology from these people.

Technically, they did hold your pet ransoom....and for her to charge you for the work done after all the stress that you've been through...it's just horrible. Obviously she doesn't care for animals at all....being as she put your cat in a crate and was ok with leaving her there for the night.

I'm so sorry you (and your poor cat!) had to go through this situation...this lady should NOT be in business!

All the signs on the outside talk about the dog boarding and dog day care. It actually doesn't say grooming anywhere on the signs outside. It says things like animals can not be picked up on Sunday and pick up hours are from 8-12 and 3-6. Since she had told me to come after 6, I thought that the sign was for the pet hotel and not the grooming buisness esspecially since they said there was someone there 24 hours. I had brought my yorkie there before and the man didn't give me any problems and told me exactly what time to pick my yorkie up.

I really think that the owner probably told the lady to give me the cat w/out charging and the lady wanted to take the cash from me, that is why she didn't want the check. I also never got a reciept. I really do feel violated that she wanted extra money to get my sick cat back. I would pay any amount of money to get her back, but I don't people making a buisness out of doing this to people.

I really hope you report them to Better Business Bureau. Then other people will be able to view that when they look for groomers. They had no right to even charge you nevertheless be rude that way :mad: I wouldn't rest till I had their heads on a platter. I think we should all call them and tell them that we are all spreading the word about what they did to you and that they should refund you. If you are ok with that of course.

Wow I'm so sorry you had to deal with all that!!! But you did the right thing, and those people suck! I'm glad your kitty is home safe :p

im so sorry you had to go through all this trouble, i would never use those groomers again:mad: :thumbdown :mad: glad you finally got your cat back and shes safe and sound, she is berry purdy bwy da way

You shoulda pop knotted the twit!!! Stupid woman.

I'm sorry for your ordeal. I'm glad you got your kitty sooner then later though. Hopefully you can find a more pet friendly groomer for future grooms.