Complaint Review: Bark Ave Pet Resort - Mesa Arizona

I worked at Bark Ave as a receptionist for 3 months. I quit because I have morals and just could not lie to customer's faces any longer. I will start with the kennel itself. Receptionists did not spend a lot of time back in the kennels. We only went back to check in and check out dogs, and if we had questions. Regardless of not being there every minute, I still got to see first hand a lot of shady business.

First, all of the kennel workers were Hispanic men, at the time I worked there there were 6 men and only one spoke English, if he wasn't there we had to have a Spanish speaking groomer translate. I can also tell you that unlike the paycheck I received, these men were payed in cash once a week. Also it was pretty typical for them to bring in "friends" to work days when the kennels were full, these men were also paid in cash. I highly doubt any of them were legal citizens.

When a dog was checked in we filled out a "cage card" for them with included their information, what size cage they were in, feeding schedule, any treats they brought with them, and extras like grooming or pet and play sessions. As far as extras went owners were not allowed to bring their pets beds or blankets because "they were provided". The actual reason is that it cost a lot and the workers were too lazy to do laundry. I next to never saw a dog with a towel or blanket in his cage,they were forced to lie on the cold,hard, and often wet floor.

There was an incident while I was working that an owner brought his dog back because he had open sores on his legs (Bark Ave did pay for the vet service,but never explained how it happened). The floors were often wet because of the cleaning routine. They took all the dogs in each hall out,put them in an out side kennel rung,sprayed everything with a high power hose,and put the dogs back in, again with nothing to lay on. And about those dog treats that their owners brought them thinking they would be given to them everyday? Ha yeah right. Again maybe it was because the kennel guys couldn't read the cards.

I originally applied to be a kennel tech,they told me that they didn't hire women for kennel (sexual discrimination anyone?), but now I think it was because women have more compassion and wouldn't be so aggressive with the dogs like these men were. it seemed as if some hated dogs the way they manhandled them.

How could anyone be ok with this? And charging tons of money for it? Well the staff isn't exactly a group of winners. Aside from not being able to speak English, the kennel techs consistently sexually harassed the receptionists. The answer I got when I complained, "oh they do that to everyone, they won't hurt you".

The managers did everything in their power to maintain the image that Bark Ave is actually a nice place to leave your pets. Training was basically a seminar in "how to lie to customers". We were prohibited from ever showing the customers the kennels themselves, (all this kennel stuff I mention is purely the dog sections,I think the cat part is pretty ok). We had to show them where the food was kept and the treats. We then showed them the yard were the dogs had their play times, a nice big yard with tons of room to play.Sadly this wasn't the actual yard they played in, the real play yard was about a 5 by 8 fenced in plot right off the building, and if you think the kennel tecs played with them then you haven't been paying attention.

We had to tell them that someone was at the kennel at all times- Bark Ave translation: one of the kennel techs or groomers was crashing in the house behind the building, usually out partying and partaking in activities off the property. The dogs were never checked from 6pm to 6am.

The managers also constantly said horrible things about the clients, giving them mean nicknames and making fun of them.

Clay, the owner of this operation, was scarcely seen. He would call everyday to "check the numbers" to see how much money he was making. Because of the high turnover rate (I guess some people can't handle 11 hour days,sexual harassment,and lying on minimum wage) he would consistently ask "who is this?". He would also call and ask for a certain receptionist, Miranda, to ask her advice for sexual products. When he would come by in person he would talk about having sexual relations with underage boys,and his overseas trips to do so. Yes,all this in an office.

I would NEVER leave my beloved pets there,nor would I ever suggest it to anyone. Paying thousands for my dog to be treated worse than even a prisoner on death row- no thanks!

Other

Mesa, Arizona

U.S.A.