I moved to the South Shore just under two years ago, and had difficulty locating an affordable kennel of high quality until I came across A Fox & Hounds Pet Care. I have three senior dogs, one of whom is a diabetic, while another is both dog-aggressive and people-aggressive, and in the past, it has been hard to find kennels who are willing to work with these animals, until I came across Robin and her team. They have taken great care of my dogs in both doggie day care and for week long stays. As a result, my dog-aggressive animal is no longer nervous about going to the kennel and is a bit more comfortable around other dogs. They have taken excellent care of my diabetic Australian Shepherd, giving him insulin shots as scheduled, even making note of where he gets the shot each time so that they next time, they don't inject in the same area (which gives his skin time to heal and reduces the pain of the injection). Note that I didn't ask them to do that - they just did it. That's the kind of care that they provide.
Additionally, I was relocating to the MidWest with a house on the market, a full time job, planning a wedding, and visiting a fiancee and also sick parents, all of whom live several states away. Given all of this, I have made multiple last minute calls to Robin (the owner) requesting doggie day care and also overnights, and she and her staff have been extremely flexible in working with my challenging situation. They've never told me no, and have always gone out of their way to help me.
The actual facility is clean and has a very interesting layout. Upon first entering, you are in an enormous room divided into various sections by 4 foot high walls. One of those walls serves as a counter, behind which is the staff area, with computer, desk, scheduling book, phones, leashes, etc. This also happens to be the safe area for smaller dogs who are not large enough to roughhouse with the other animals. Lots of Bichon Frise and Chihuahua etc are just lounging around here, sitting on pillows, laying on top of one another while the staff walk in and out to answer the phone and greet customers. Behind the counter is a large open area that serves as a giant playroom for medium and large size dogs who roam about, playing with staff and one another. There are a few chain link kennels against the walls here, large enough for multiple pets. In the back corner is the "special needs pen" (which is frequently home to my crew), which is a large space enclosed by walls about 5 feet high, with a swinging door/gate. (I like this pen because my psychotic sharpei can't see the other dogs, so he doesn't feel the need to put on a big show for them all day long, nor does he shred his paws on chain link as he has done at other kennels where he was separated from other dogs by chain link fencing .) This pen comes equipped with giant doggie pillows, by the way, which my Yorkie loves. There is also an adjacent room, a giant "playroom" with glass windows which is used also for training sessions, and a giant outside pen where the dogs can go play. As I write this, I think I might not mind being a dog and spending a day here, relaxing and having a good time!
Anyway, the bottom line: the staff and service are fantastic, reliable, and they really do care about the animals they board and the customers as well. The staff knows all the dogs' AND the owners' names, and plays with the dogs all day. It's almost like leaving your pet with a family member while you travel; you know the dog will be safe and well cared for, and that if any emergency comes up, they will do their best to work with you.
On another note, as someone else mentioned in a previous review, if you are commuting via boat to Boston, they are in an extremely convenient location and their hours are great. Very easy to drop off the dogs, catch the boat to work, and pick them up on your way home. They are literally a two minute drive from the parking lot for the commuter boat out of Hingham. And their hours are very accommodating.
Obviously I could go on and on (as I just did). I am moving next week, sad to say good bye to them as I know I am unlikely to find a facility in the same league. read more