I don't like putting my dogs in a kennel. When I do go on vacation, I want to board them in the best possible place; I don't mind paying a little extra for quality care.
Initially, I thought Cascade Kennels was the best place around. They have the nicest facility for dogs and cats that I've found in the area. The grounds are spacious, and the kennels are well-maintained. They offer tours of the facility to make you feel confident that it's a nice place. They have an online reservation system which is very convenient.
The obvious downsides of Cascade Kennels are the cost and hours. Overall, Cascade Kennels' fees are a bit more than nearby places. The bill adds up quickly when you tack-on services like play times and potty walks (necessary if you're pet won't "go" in its kennel). Also, they aren't open for pick-up on Sundays, when I typically return from trips. There was often a 15 minute or more wait when dropping off my dogs -- very inconvenient when I'm in a hurry.
I didn't mind paying the higher costs, however. It was my experience with the staff that convinced me to change kennels. When picking-up and dropping-off my dogs, I met with many different employees. They ranged from very friendly to downright indifferent. One person in particular seemed a little annoyed with my dog when the dog was afraid to go into the kennel. This made me concerned; I don't want to pay a lot of money for my dogs to be treated with indifference!
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