PetSmart — Local services in Phoenix

WARNING: This PetSmart starved my 2-year old French bulldog for 6 nights in their pet camp/hotel. My dog, Reid, is a healthy, happy dog who loves people. I had to be out of town for my sister’s wedding, so I dropped Reid off at PetSmart (at the 10825 N. Tatum Blvd location) for the Doggy Day Camp and boarding on December 27 th around 4pm and picked him up January 2 nd around 3pm. Reid was supposed to get 12 ounces of his food every night, portioned out by PetSmart (this is a service they offer and one I agreed to pay for). When I picked him up on Sunday, PetSmart returned 42 5/8 ounces of his food back to me along with a very emaciated-looking Reid. When I asked what they had been feeding him and why they had so much food left, they said they had been feeding him his food but they didn’t have access to a food scale (aren’t they a pet supply store?), so they just used a small measuring cup (which apparently wasn’t even a full cup) to estimate his food. Based on the amount of food returned to me, they had been feeding Reid about 5 ounces of his dog food a day (assuming he was actually being fed every day). That’s less than half of what he should be eating! When I asked more questions trying to figure out who was responsible for him throughout the week, they were unable to give me one name because they said everyone is responsible for the care based on different shifts. So, apparently everyone is “watching” but no one is really paying attention. Reid lost a considerable amount of weight over the course of a week and is now having major digestive issues. He was very eager to eat the second I got him home, but immediately threw it up. I am HORRIFIED to think about the care I left Reid in for almost a week (what if I had been gone longer?!). I read the reviews of this PetSmart before I dropped him off, but clearly didn’t pay enough attention to the other negative reviews about the Pet Boarding situation at this PetSmart. This is a warning to other pet parents: do not leave your animal in the care of this facility. I understand that many companies are short-staffed these days, but there should be safety protocols in place such that someone is responsible for the overall welfare of the animals. If there isn’t one person ultimately responsible for ensuring the pets in their care are getting properly fed, how would any pet parent know that their pet is getting proper walks, enough clean water, or any amount of affection? Their response to my outrage was to discount their service by $150 (I had paid the bill before they brought out Reid, so I still paid $167 after the discount). I don’t care about the money, but I feel horrible that Reid suffered for a week and don’t want another pet to suffer the same way. I have attached a picture of Reid on the day I picked him up. Quite frankly, he was probably on the “sturdy/chunky” side when I dropped him off, so to see him with protruding ribs breaks my heart. I’ve had him since he was a puppy, so he doesn’t even understand cruelty. I’ve emailed PetSmart about the situation and asked that they review their protocols to avoid this situation in the future. If I hear back any meaningful response, I’ll post an update for the...

GROOMING - I took my 3-month-old puppy in to simply ask at what age should I start doing puppy cuts? I was greeted and spoken to extremely rudely and was told I would have to completely shave her because she had knots in her hair. I decided that I did not feel comfortable with that person grooming my dog so when I made the appointment, I scheduled it with someone else. When we showed up for our appointment a few days later I was again rudely, by a second person, told I did not have an appointment. I rescheduled for a weekday when I would have to take time out of work to take her. When we walked in a few mornings later I was again rudely, now by the third person, greeted and checked in for her appointment. As we were checking in 2 big dogs and their owner walked in behind me and the dogs were screeching and the owner said, “they hate coming here”, which I should have taken as a sign and left right then. I was told to sign paperwork, but she would not explain to me what I was actually signing and was being rushed out. I was holding my puppy close to me because she was scared and shaking and as I went to grab the pen to sign the groomer ripped my tiny puppy out of my arms and took her to the back without saying anything. I was then told the price would be over $50, when I scheduled a puppy cut for $18, and I continued to tell her DO NOT shave my dog I want her to get used to the groomers and she just needs a trim. I came back less than 10 minutes later deciding I just wasn’t comfortable with this and she was already completely shaved except for her head and paws and from across the room I could see her shaking. I spoke to the manager and explained the situation and she sternly told me “I was just in there and your dog was fine until you walked it!” Instead of owning their mistake and saying I’m sorry for deliberately doing what I was told not to, they kept making excuses and yelling at me. I then had to take my puppy to a second groomer to fix her face and paws. I thought that it would be safe and perfect to take her to PetSmart for grooming as she LOVES doggy day camp, training, buying toys and the Banfield vet at the same store. Only now when we walk into PetSmart she immediately starts shaking and tries to run away. I spoke to dog owners at my new groomer and within 5 minutes of first being at the front desk I found out 4 others had similar horrible experiences at the same location of PetSmart. Please think twice before trusting these groomers with your precious puppies!

TRAINING...

For years, I’ve been bringing my two Yorkies, Jeter & Lola, to Brittany B. at PetSmart and we love her! She is so friendly, professional, shows Jeter & Lola so much attention and love and always makes them look so handsome, beautiful, clean, soft, shiny, healthy and amazing! Brittany B. is the best! :)

3-14-2023 As always, Brittany B. and everyone in Grooming who assists with my 2 Yorkies, Jeter and Lola are awesome! We’ve been seeing Brittany about 10 years and she is amazing. She loves Jeter & Lola and it shows with all the love and attention she gives them when they’re there. Jeter and Lola know her name when I say it and they get so excited when they see her. I know Brittany really cares about them and everyone’s fur babies. She has a big, loving, caring heart and has become like family to us. Brittany has been there for us through all of Jeter and Lola’s ups and downs over the years as they’ve gotten older. She’s so gentle and attentive. She is so thorough and always checks Jeter and Lola head to toes (paws) :) and if she notices anything that I haven’t already, she lets me know. She always takes such good care of them, making them look so healthy, clean, shiny, soft, handsome and beautiful and they always smell great! I ALWAYS get compliments on how Jeter and Lola look and get asked where I take them. I am very happy and proud to tell them Brittany at PetSmart. Thank you!!!

8-2-2024 Brittany Bliler has been grooming and taking care of my two Yorkies, Jeter & Lola, for many years. They’re always so excited and happy when they see her. Brittany always checks them head to toe (paws) ☺️ and goes over everything with me. Every time I pick them up they look and smell so clean, shiny, healthy, happy and adorable! ...