Waggles Puppy Boutique - Duluth — Local services in Duluth

PLEASE DO NOT BUY FROM THIS STORE. I would give this review zero stars if I could.

After many months of trying unsuccessfully to adopt a rescue dog, I finally broke down and decided to purchase a puppy from Waggles. I went to the store several times before actually purchasing my puppy from them. Each time I went there, the staff was friendly and informative. They all touted their puppy health “guarantee” included with the price of purchase, stating if anything “goes wrong” with the puppy within 14 days of purchase, Waggles would cover it. Turns out, this was a BOLD-FACED LIE and a SCAM.

Within 2 DAYS of purchase, my puppy began showing signs of illness. She refused to eat and was very lethargic, even vomiting one morning.

Within 5 DAYS of purchase, I was able to get her to a vet (the same vet Waggles uses actually) who ran blood tests and noted an elevated white blood cell count indicating the puppy may be fighting a virus of some kind. The vet basically told me to do whatever it takes to get her to eat consistently and if she takes a turn for the worse again, I would need to get her to an emergency vet so they could run more thorough tests. I notified Waggles of the situation and again I was told not to worry about the vet bills I was incurring, that Waggles was “reputable” and would cover it under their “guarantee”. MORE LIES.

Shortly after seeing the regular vet, my puppy did take a turn again and within 7 DAYS of purchase, my puppy was admitted to an emergency vet where she stayed for two nights. The emergency vet ran more tests and ultimately diagnosed her with canine coronavirus, which led to inflammation in her digestive tract, hypoglycemia, and refusal to eat. The emergency vet told me that dogs typically contract that type of virus from being around other dogs and he suspected that she was incubating the virus when I purchased her given the almost immediate onset of symptoms after purchase (2 days) and given that the puppy had not been exposed to other dogs after purchase.

In the end, the vet bills cost me more than the puppy! My puppy cost roughly $2,700 and I spent another $3,700 at the vet to make her well. I provided all the vet records to Waggles and offered for them to speak with the emergency vet directly, but they of course denied coverage for any of it. They stated it was all routine puppy issues and that was not covered by their “guarantee”. WHAT A JOKE!

If they truly were a reputable business, they would have acknowledged they sold me a sick puppy or at minimum tried to make it right but they refused. The email they sent me didn’t even reflect the actual facts—it was obviously recycled from responses sent to other customers in similar situations.

Waggles refused to accept any responsibility, offered zero support, and completely ignored the veterinarian’s findings. They clearly sold me a sick puppy and then hid behind meaningless fine print. Their “health guarantee” is nothing more than a dishonest marketing tactic and a scam to induce people to purchase their sick puppies.

If you’re still thinking of buying from Waggles, be prepared to pay twice—once for the puppy, and again for the medical treatment they won’t cover when your new pet...

Waggle has adorable puppies, and every dog deserves a loving home. However, it's crucial to ensure transparency in the adoption/purchase process. I'm here to help you understand a few things that need more clarity based on my experience. Don't trust the papers they provide concerning the authenticity of a dog's DNA. I was told I purchased a 100% Yorkie, only to find out 10 days later that I adopted/purchased a Shorkie (a breed that is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Yorkshire Terrier) for over 3k. Just for the dishonesty alone, the price should be cut in half. The financing process took over 2 hours because the system was not working properly, and it took a while for the finance department to process it. I never received a final copy of the approved loan, which should have included the interest rate. I even attempted to call the finance office a few times after the purchase because I was told I would get a copy of the loan agreement via email, which never happened. Furthermore, I was told my payment would be one thing, and it was something different; with that being said, I called the finance loan place directly, and the lady I spoke with inform me of the following: 2a. The loan was a lease and not a purchase, which totally doesn't make sense. Cause, how can you lease a dog. Plus, they aren't following GA's law regarding loan process and transparency, which is a risk. 2b. For only having the puppy for 2 months, I was already charged $387.92 interest, which is CRAZY. If I decided to do the full 16 months, it would have been $3,103.36 in interest alone. NOW THAT IS CRAZY, AND WHAT A RIP-OFF! Whatever you do, do not use Vernance LLC to finance a dog. They couldn't even send a copy of the loan agreement before leaving the store. Mostly to make sure you don't get ripped off. Luckily, I didn't stop asking for the loan agreement, and the minute I saw what they were attempting to do, I went ahead and paid off the loan, which meant they were not going to get all that interest. I could tell by talking to the lady on the phone, they were mad because I demand to pay off the loan early, which also cost me 3% of the loan amount. Which was another lie, because they stated there wasn't any additional cost to pay off the loan.

BUYER BEWARE, pay close attention to details. I love my puppy, but DAMN, I wish they were honest about the breed, which would have changed the price because of the mixed breed. Also, the finance process was more transparent and followed the GA regulation to ensure the buyer understood and saw everything concerning the details...

I am absolutely bursting with joy and gratitude after my experience at Waggles this past Saturday, all thanks to the incredible assistance of Zoe and Tina! I came in hoping to find the perfect puppy, and I walked out with Teddy, the most adorable and loving little companion I could have ever asked for. From the moment I stepped into Waggles, Zoe and Tina made me feel completely at ease. They were incredibly welcoming, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about helping me find the right fit. They took the time to understand my lifestyle, preferences, and concerns, and patiently answered all of my (many!) questions. What truly impressed me was their genuine care for the puppies. They weren't just trying to make a sale; they were invested in ensuring that each puppy found a loving and suitable home. They provided thorough information about Teddy's breed, temperament, and care requirements, and even offered helpful tips and advice for a smooth transition. Zoe and Tina's expertise was evident in their ability to match me with Teddy. They observed my interactions with the puppies and offered insightful observations, ultimately guiding me towards the perfect match. Their patience and understanding were truly remarkable, and I never felt rushed or pressured. The entire process, from meeting Teddy to completing the paperwork, was seamless and enjoyable. Zoe and Tina's warm and friendly demeanor made it feel like I was talking to friends, not just customer service representatives. They went above and beyond to ensure I felt comfortable and confident in my decision. Teddy has settled in beautifully, and I am already so in love! I know that a huge part of this successful transition is due to the exceptional support I received from Zoe and Tina. They are truly an asset to Waggles, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. If you're looking for a wonderful puppy and an even more wonderful experience, be sure to ask for Zoe and Tina at Waggles. They are simply the best! Thank you, Zoe and Tina, for bringing Teddy...