Who do you complain to??

My sisters friend left their 1 year old Golden at a kennel for about a week while they went on vacation. It was a fairly new kennel, had good references etc. (I even went out there testing it out for Brick about a year ago and it seemed one of the better ones we'd been to). When they got home, the lady at the kennel said that the dog "growled" at them, so they didn't take her out for walks or for pee breaks... AT ALL!! For the whole week! When they got home and bathed the dog, she was completely yellow (was fairly white) with poo hanging on her fur. She stunk to high heaven and was completely miserable. Now this lady has to retrain her dog to pee outside, and get her back on track with other training things she had forgotten over the week of being ignored. I am completely apalled that a "professional" kennel would do such a thing, and would leave this dog there for a week sitting in her own pee & poo!! Disgusting!

My question is, where & who do you file a complaint to regarding the kennels actions? Is there a "higher up" who monitors these places? She called the SPCA and they are getting back to her with a contact - supposidly (it's been 3 days) CRAZY!!!

Id take pictures of the dogs filthy condition and write down exactly what the kennel woman said.Do you have a Better Business Bueau or Ministry of Consumer and Commercial Relations?I would call both and make formal written complaints.

I say contact BBB. My husbands suggestion is to sue them because even with a complaint to the BBB. It still won't do anything for you. You may be able to get compensation for kennel stay, grooming, re-training etc. Did your friend leave a contact #. If there was such a problem, the kennel should have contacted her to find other arrangements or at the very least let her know so she could have decided what to do, or suggestions for the kennel.

This boarding kennel doesn't sound very reputable to me. Did your sister's friend leave a number where she can be reached? Did she call in to see how her dog was doing?

I've researched many many kennel's here myself and found only maybe two that were reputable and allowed public to view whole facililty. I was even told to bring dog's along with my visit so that it wouldn't be completely new to them should I choose their facility. :)

One kennel had dogs chained to the wall in a cement room and they wanted to charge $15/day. They were shocked because I told them they were discusting - but, room was filled and they got mad as they were "willing to squeeze in my two golden's" :eek:

I've had to cut my vacation short bec one wouldn't even eat but I got a call ... and, besides - I called them every single day!

I would also be weary of 'APPOINTMENTS ONLY" and too many "OFF LIMIT DOORS".

IMO all this is the owners responsibility but maybe/hopefully someone can help you with the legal issues. This place sounds discusting. Good luck.

Yes I agree about contacting the BBB - I did suggest this to my sisters friend. I don't know her personally, but from what my sister said, she did leave a contact # and has already contacted the BBB. When I checked out the kennel myself a year ago, it was clean, the dogs seemed happy & were outside playing, and they seemed really good....unless it's been taken over by new owners - I'm not sure!!! We found a great doggy sitter in HeelersRock so I didn't need a kennel!!! I guess we are luckier than this poor woman! Thanks for the suggestions - I will pass them on to my sisters friend!!!

BBB is a scam and just as bad as the people who 'pay them off' to get 'rid' of complaints from their files.

We found a great doggy sitter in HeelersRock so I didn't need a kennel!!!

LOL! Thanks Chris! :o You know we love Brick, and Helix is crazy for him! :) We've been thinking and if you ever need to leave Brick and Carlos is in town, he can stay here. If I'm on my own, he may not be able to as with the 3 dogs and myself and baby, we might be a bit full, but call me anyways and I'll see how I feel! Brick is such a good boy, that it shouldn't be an issue.

As for this kennel, that sounds horrible! I cna't believe they did that to your friend's poor dog! PM or e-mail me the kennel name so I can stay away from there if I ever need to leave Kia and Helix. I hope your friend gets her money back! Did she have to sign any sort of contract? I think she should sue for the kennel stay, grooming, and re-training as was mentioned before. Good luck and keep us posted!

PS: When are we going for a walk?!? :D

BBB a scam? Isn't that a bit harsh or kind of conspiracy like? The BBB here has been quite good in helping small businesses and consumers alike, in my experiences and those of others I know. They do educational work and lots of good things.

I would file a complaint with your BBB and also with your provioncial govt dept - and whoever licences these businesses. Businesses have many hoops to go thru to start - any one of those steps you as a consumer can access - esp the govt ones which you as a taxpayer fund.

Did the friend call the kennel while she was away? When I am away from my baby, I call often to talk to her (even if she can only meow back, lol) and also to see what's what. Did she ask to see their licence? I think she needs to document it all and contact everyone she can to get some answers.

ah if its a kennel a growling dog should not be a problem, these ppl are supposed to be experineced dog handlers, and obviously are not and have no clue what their doing....

did she pay them?? i know they would have wanted payment before they got the dog, but i would nto have paid till i got the dog, and then i would have punched her in the face, leaving a nice big black eyed memory for her.....

if she cant do anythign to them perhaps jsut a harrasment campaing, like posters all over town accusing them of being abusers?? i find harrassment and spreading the word is great and a good way to damage a business.....
id have them shut down simply through harrassment if yo u cant do anythign else....

and if she didnt punch the stupid woman i would drive back jsut to do it, whackoooo to her and any other dog abuser out there..... :mad:

I know you're being amusing Mel (I thik, lol) but if she knocks out the owner of the place, she will be the one in trouble and the penalties for that - even if she says she did it under duress and was temporarily insane - are harsher than animal abuse, sadly!

I agree with putting on pressure tho. Have a demonstration or a sit in in front of the biz, that would get them some publicity!! Dogs and dog owners and a cat or two picketing the groomers - I can see it now.

ah see im not temporarily insae, i can prove i am jsut truly insane so it would work for me, but sadly not your average nice normal lady :D (i wasnt really joking though, if someone abused my animal the first thing i would do would be to snap them in the head, sorry but im an agro little lady, glad your friend has more control than me, she probably would get in awful trouble) nah jsut cause a ruckus and that wil l damage the mongrels....

Nope it's not harsh about the BBB it's the truth.

I know of situations where those who pay to be members of the BBB pay them off to keep complaints OFF their file. It IS a scam!

They give people a 'false' sense of security and trust.