My experience with Woofs and Wags was deeply disappointing and concerning, and I feel compelled to share it so other pet owners can make informed decisions.
In March of last year, I boarded my dog at Woofs and Wags for a short stay. Upon picking her up, I was shocked and distressed by her condition. She had a raw and irritated nose, an open wound on her paw, and seemed severely dehydrated, drinking an excessive amount of water as soon as we got home. She also smelled strongly of urine, suggesting unsanitary conditions. This was particularly alarming as she had boarded there for a longer period previously without any such issues.
Adding to my frustration, I had paid for photo updates during her stay, which I never received. When I inquired about this at pickup, the employee's response was dismissive, stating they "didn't have time" to take photos. I was given a vague explanation of a "system malfunction" and told I would be refunded.
I immediately attempted to contact the facility to express my concerns about my dog's condition and the lack of communication. My phone calls were met with evasive responses from an employee who refused to provide me with a manager's contact information. Additionally, the email address listed on their website proved to be inactive. I was unable to reach anyone in a position of authority at that time.
Ten months later, after discovering my initial Google review had never been published, I posted a review on Yelp. This prompted a response from the owner, Edward L. It was only at this point, ten months after my dog's stay, that I was finally able to communicate with him directly. His initial message was an invitation to call him, which I declined, preferring written communication. I detailed my concerns: my dog's condition upon pickup, the lack of photo updates, and my previous unsuccessful attempts to contact the facility.
His responses were immediately defensive and dismissive. He claimed my accusations were "completely incorrect" and then listed his credentials and affiliations (USDA Approved Breeder, AKC Breeder with Merit & Heart, AKC Poodle Club of America Sponsored), as if those automatically negated the visible distress my dog was in. When I reiterated my concerns, he offered generic platitudes about how they "tirelessly work to protect dogs" and suggested boarding is different for each dog, implying my dog's reaction was the problem, not their care. He mentioned running a poodle rescue as further proof of their good intentions. He also claimed my bank must have successfully disputed the charge (which I hadn't confirmed) and that he would have offered a refund, but my "nasty remarks" had changed his mind. When I asked for proof via their "surveillance," he clarified it was only for building security, not individual animal monitoring, contradicting what a staff member had previously implied. He then made further comments about his breeding qualifications and offered a tour. My attempts to point out the inconsistencies and the pain my dog experienced were met with further defensiveness and dismissiveness.
It's important to note that my original Google review was not offensive or inflammatory. It simply stated the facts of my experience, much like this review. Yet, for some reason, it was never made public. This leads me to believe that the 4.3-star rating on Google may be deceiving and not truly reflective of all customer experiences.
The combination of my dog's injuries, dehydration, the urine smell, the dismissive comment regarding the paid photo updates from the employee at pickup, the difficulty in contacting management initially, the owner's dismissive and unprofessional responses ten months later, and the mysterious disappearance of my initial Google review leads me to believe my dog was not properly cared for at Woofs and Wags. I would strongly advise other pet owners to consider these factors before entrusting their beloved animals to this facility. read more