The Dogwood Pet Resort — Attraction in Whidbey Island

1 star because 0 is not an option, words cannot express how disappointed I am with my recent experience and honestly myself for putting my animals in this unfortunate situation. If you value your pets and their comfort and safety please read this in its entirety.

When I walked into the Dogwood Pet Resort to pick up my animals the woman at the front desk ran out and grabbed a man who I had never talked to. Standing over 6 feet tall and with a pretty large stature the man, who introduced himself as John, began loudly and aggressively scolding me for my cats “condition”. He asked a few accusatory questions which he hardly allowed me to answer as he clearly had no intention on hearing what I had to say. His goal was clearly to only berate and belittle me in front of his staff and other customers. Never in my 27 years of life have I ever had a man, or woman, talk to me and scold me the way that he did. He was convinced that I had dropped my cat off knowing she was what he called “infected” and that I purposely and knowingly put animals at risk. He mentioned that he called my Vet and they backed his claims that my cat was “sick” and “needed to be quarantined” and that we’d be incurring an additional fee for the work they had to do because of this. He then went on to describe how someone he knows had to slaughter 60+ cats because they had contracted feline herpes. While the comment itself was disturbing, it was in that moment I realized I left my animals with a man and a facility who nonchalantly talks about slaughtering cats like it’s a weekday chore. I immediately ended my conversation and payed the entire bill they charged me, for no reason except I wanted my pets out of that situation immediately. I called my Vet in a rage under the impression they divulged inaccurate information about my pets health, I reached the doctor and manager who both assured me that the Dogwood Pet Resort never contacted them and if they had no one would have ever passed such obviously false and misleading information. My Vet, rightfully so, was upset that this facility would accuse them of such bad practice and immediately offered to personally look after my cat if needed.

I, as a loving and concerned pet owner, value any practice by a facility to separate a potentially sick animal for the safety and well being of the rest. However, at no time should any facility ever make an executive decision on how to care for an animal without the owners knowledge. The Dogwood Pet Resort DID NOT call me in regards to what they did with my cat. They DID NOT call to inform me that they locked my cat in a room by herself for over a week. They DID NOT inform me that they “called” my Vet asking questions about her health. They did NONE of that. If they had called they would have known that my cat has a partially closed and often weeping eye because of a permanently scarred eye and scarred tear ducts, they would have known that some animals have suffered tragedies in life and have lasting conditions because of it.

It is clear that this facility does not care about the well being of an animal unless they are from a bred for purchase, healthy and 100% documented situation. Rescues have no room in their hearts. They are ran by a man who screams at another person like they are the dirt on the bottom of his shoes, they shame other organizations in the community in an attempt to cover their own misconduct, and they have zero value for pet owners and their right to know about decisions made for their pets. A man who can casually mention the slaughter of cats is no man you should allow to look after and care for your animals.

While I hope that no one else has had the experience what I did, please please consider this when deciding where to leave your animals for love and care in...

Writing this review to hopefully help others because we were completely blindsided. THIS PLACE IS FAR FROM A RESORT!!!

I did some research and Dogwood came recommended by others in the area. Looking at their website, I didn’t think it would be a traditional kennel, and that’s what they advertise. We went for a tour and I was appalled.

I guess I didn’t do enough research because after reading some other reviews just now, I likely would have never set foot in this facility. Just looking at this the owner has responded to some negative reviews is very telling. I can’t imagine how these employees treat the pets staying here.

First, the staff member who led the tour was far from friendly. She didn’t seem like someone who would give my dog any love or attention.

If you go to the website and read the history, you’ll see that they opened this business to not be like other kennels. They state “some kennels are dark, windowless buildings with poor ventilation, cold floors, and low ceilings.” Upon entering the kennel, everything about that statement was true about Dogwood. The smell of urine could be smelt through a mask. The kennel area was extremely claustrophobic. Sure there are a few windows way up high, but overall it was dark and felt like a depressing animal shelter.

They only let your dog out of the kennel twice a day for ten minutes. If you would like your dog to be let out more, you can pay to do so. Reading other reviews, this place charges for every little “upgrade” that seem like normal parts of our dog’s lives.

To me, it was clear this place was just there to make money. I didn’t get the sense from the atmosphere or the employee that they would care at all for my dog. If you are looking for a place that would love and care for your dog, save yourself the time and don’t bother...

Wonderful, accommodating people, doggies seemed good when I got them - they've only been kenneled 6 times, and they're 8 & 12 years old. Looked well taken care of, & could tell they'd gotten all their meds - unlike 99% of other kennels. Only reason I can't give it a 5 - all the kennels on this island look like a dog pound - and if you have nervous dogs, it's not a great atmosphere. Must have been at LEAST 30 cages in one big building. Something would set all the dogs off (people, dinnertime) and it was DEAFENING in there. Both dogs came home nervous, with diarrhea (THAT'S because of THEM - very spoiled rotten). They have weak stomachs. They didn't catch anything, just to be clear. I used to own a non-profit kennel in CA - because CA only has kill shelters. 2 weeks in the pound, if not adopted, they were euthanized. We had separate buildings w/about 6 kennels per building,classical music & t.v. (would turn on Animal Planet to keep them happy & calm), heating, doggie doors (that could be shut) & each doggie door led out to large play areas and they'd be rotated all day. Dogwood STILL the best kennel on the island from what I've seen - but all the kennels here need to step up their game. I'd pay more for a quieter atmosphere. JUST SOME CLASSICAL MUSIC WOULD CALM THEM ALL DOWN - easy fix to put in a stereo and speakers. I WILL use them again, though if they NEED to...