Critter Boarding

Let me start off by saying that our two dogs had been boarded many times before being boarded at Critter Boarding. We were a military family and often would travel home to visit family in both Florida and Ohio. We had boarded our dogs in both states and a few times in North Carolina where we were stationed. This February I went home to visit family in Ohio, and my husband was going to need to spend a week in inpatient care at the Tampa VA.  We looked all around the Spring Hill area for kennels, and visited a few, but decided Critter Boarding looked  the best. We boarded both of our dogs, both pit bull mixes, one age 7 and the other age 8. We had, had these dogs since they were puppies, and they never missed a vet visit, or vaccination. They were both excited to be at the kennel, and when my husband dropped them off they were both their hyper/ happy selves. I was in complete shock when halfway through my trip to Ohio, my husband called and told me our 8 year old dog  Lola had died. When the worker came in that morning, she found Lola laying dead in her kennel with our other dog standing at the door of the kennel. We were completely devastated. We had this dog for 8 years, and she was part of our family. We called our vet to see about a necropsy, but they told us it would have to be done by the state since the death occurred in a boarding facility. Unfortunately we couldn't afford that. The kennel did refund our deposit which paid for the cremation, and didn't charge us for either dog. This still didn't take away the pain of losing our pet. My husband also found out while viewing the surveillance video that the dogs had been left alone that night for almost 12 hours. If they had someone who came in earlier in the morning, or someone who was there later at night, maybe they could have seen what was happening to our dog and helped her. The fishiest part of the whole situation was when we went to the vet that was attached to the kennel to handle the cremation. They were very quick to tell us they were not affiliated with the kennel, and they didn't seem surprised at what happened. Then, when we went to pick up our dogs ashes, the lady working the front desk  was very angry with what had happened to Lola. She made the comment " I have a few choice words for them, but I wont say them in front of your child." This just made it seem like there might have been other situations in the past. Like I said before, we can't say that it was their fault our dog died, but we entrusted them with our dogs, and one of our beloved dog came home in a small wooden box. If you are looking for a kennel, I would look for one that has someone on property 24 hours, or one who doesn't leave the dogs alone that long at night. I still can't even drive by this kennel without becoming sick.

I've been using Critter Boarding for a year and a half now, but it was usually Babs, one of the workers who I was told no longer works there. When I set up my last appointment by phone the appointment was scheduled with Jodi the owner. I found it odd that I had been a regular client this long but had never met her, but was looking forward to this appointment thinking that if Babs had been good surely the owner would be even better. I was wrong. I picked up my poodle not knowing anything was wrong paid and tipped my usual. Jodi did mention that perhaps my dog had a touch of arthritis in her back legs or hips because she nipped at her during the groom. This perplexed me because she never nips anyone. Jodi even commented that nothing was on the customer card indicating that she had such problems or would be a difficult groom in any way. I didn't think much and mentally filed it away to ask my vet later. I went out to the car and CoCo jumped all over my grandmother, something she doesn't normally do. She usually rides in the backseat quietly. Instead, as I drove down the road, my grandmother was yelling that CoCo was bleeding all over her. I looked down and saw blood all over my grandmother's blouse and pants. So much for taking her out. I called Critter Boarding twice and no one would pick up so I headed back as fast as I could. I asked the worker if she would accompany me to the car to see this herself. She claimed that maybe CoCo cut herself in my car and that she nor Jodi would have any idea what caused this. I replied that I worked at a vet clinic when I was younger and that I wasn't stupid, that it was obvious her nail was cut to the quick or she had been nicked during grooming. She took me inside where she had me call Jodi who had already left for the day. Jodi said that dogs do move around sometimes during grooming and that she had been grooming since the age of 16. It was obvious to me at this point that Jodi knew something had happened or didn't pay much attention during the groom. I have since noticed that the groom while looking good overall including the shaving off of her eyelashes on one eye to expose pink. What in the world is going on there since Babs left? My appointment was made a week in advance and I would have rather someone cancel than to breeze through it too quickly and injure a trusting sweet dog. To boot, had to pay for my grandmother's drycleaning, and the fact that I had paid $55 plus $10 tip before I discovered what happened makes me feel like they are willing to lose a longtime regular customer rather than admit fault.

When I dropped my dog off, on Friday, I told them that instead of him being there for 3 days, that I'd be back the following day to get him.  I was driving, first to Clearwater and then down to Naples.  I told them that instead of staying in Naples for 3 nights, that I was only staying there for the one night.   I told them that I did not want a refund!!  Between traffic & detours, I arrived at 1:53 p.m. Saturday afternoon.  They closed at 1 p.m..  I was 53 minutes late!!  However, they advertise that there is always someone there, with the animals, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week.  There was no one there.  I called, I sent a text, I called, again.  No response.  On Sunday, I began calling at 7:45 a.m., asking when I could come & get my dog.  I sent an email.  I took the 20 minute drive back there.  I was outside the building for more than an hour.  During this time, not one dog went outside for one of their 4 daily runs.  Someone was there but, they would not answer the door.  I called again, and again.  I sent another text.  No response.  I called the Police.  They could not help me.  They did take good care of my dog.  However, they were unresponsive to my pleas for the early release of my dog.   They required my email address, home phone number, my cell phone number, and a emergency contact number.
Being that they do not answer their phone after "business hours", they do not give you an emergency number to reach them!!  They show beautiful pictures, on the internet, of their facility.  Although nice & clean, my dog did not go there!!  My dog was given a bath on Sunday.  I was told that this was done after 3 days.  I am wondering if he was laying in urine from 1:00 p.m. Saturday to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday which required the necessity of an early bath.  Their "open hours" are different then what is posted on the internet.  My dog had never been away from me for more than 7 hours, in a day, since he was a puppy.  This experience was also depressing for him.  It says, on their door, that all they do is for the good of the animals that they care for.  However, my experience with them tells me that they neither care for the animal nor their owner.  I do not, and will not, recommend them to anyone.  I was able to retrieve my dog at 9:00 a.m., Monday.  Even till now, I have not heard from them.  As I told the Police, a response was all that was necessary.

unknown

Dropped off K9 with no issues. Very Clean inside.
Nice staff
Had to leave extra day because of holiday.
3 days total. If pet stays 3 nights they get a bath for free.
I brought his own food and play toys to have while there.
He was very happy when picked up.
I will use them again.

I called on thursday and got in for the next procedure day, which is Monday. They took great care of my dog and he was not scared of them at all.

I would definitely recommend this office to anyone.

They are very professional and they are concerned about the animals. They keep good files. They have good customer service and the front desk know who I am and they know my animals. One of my dogs has an eye problem and I don't know if it is getting better or not so I am planning on going there. I went on the internet to get some help but the doctor wanted me to pay $23 just to tell me if I could use something or not and if I had gone to Country Line they would have told me that for free.

no problems

After finding out that my recently adopted dog was actually 5 years older than I thought he was, I decided to have him fully checked for any problems associated with his age. He also consumes great amounts of water and I was concerned about diabetes. After having major problems with 2 previous veterinarians in the area, I was at a loss as to who to go to. That's when I checked Angie's List. Fortunately, I came upon County Line Animal Hospital there. No, the office is not completely modern and breath-taking, and seems a little cramped. However, I was greeted warmly and given paperwork to be filled out. Within a few minutes we were in the examining room. Dr. MacMahon introduced himself and asked pertinent questions about my dog. We discussed feeding, treats, behavior. He then examined my pet and found heart and lungs to be healthy. Taking into consideration my dog's age, Dr. MacMahon recommended blood tests to determine other organ function and to determine whether he was diabetic. I fully agreed. Within 2 hours he got back to me with the results (all of which were good). If there were any changes, or if his water consumption increased, there was another test that could be done, but he did not think it was necessary at this time. I will definitely continue to see Dr. MacMahon for any problems or concerns I may have, and for routine health checks.

The facility is clean. The entire staff loves animals and handles them with respect and competence. Dr. MacMahon seems to enjoy his patients and works toward their health. Treatment options were explained and we were always supported in our decisions. We were sent home with medications and instructions for administering them when appropriate. We could call whenever we had a question and could schedule an office visit in a timely manner.

They are reasonable priced. They are on time. They go out of their way to help. I would absolutely recommend them and use them again in the future.