Aintree Kennel

I left my dog here. PLEASE do not make the same mistake. He caught kennel cough, which I understand, even with vaccination, is an assumed risk. However, he caught kennel cough very early into his stay. He lost TEN POUNDS during his one week stay, and was extremely sick when we picked him up. Afterwards, the owners of this kennel lied to us about his condition (it would have been impossible, i.e. neglectful) for anyone to not notice how sick he was. Believing their lies, we delayed veterinary treatment. As a result, his borderline harmless kennel cough progressed into a life threatening bout with pneumonia. We were lied to about his ailment when he was picked up. When we brought this information to the owners of the kennel, they had the audacity to accuse our dog of making others sick (who had. been checked by a vet the week before.) This is a horrible place run by horrible people. DO NOT bring your dog here. If there’s a way to message me via this website, I’ll watch your dog for free.

Love, Love, Love! I have been taking my dog Buddy here for 2 years and have never had one issue with them. They love Buddy and are always excited to see him. When I pick him up, he doesn’t urinate immediately like I’ve noticed when I have left him at other kennels. They are reasonably priced and always very friendly!
I drive over 30 minutes to drop my dog off there one way and will gladly continue to do so. I only wish they had more flexibility on Sunday (open from 4−6pm for pick-​up/​drop off) but otherwise, I couldn’t be more pleased.

If you’re thinking about boarding your pet here, think again!!!
My recent experience at Aintree has me looking for a new kennel.
A bit over a week ago I decided to get the family away for a quick 2 day excursion to Newport, RI. Called Aintree to make a reservation for the girls. They had space! Great!
Dropped the girls off before 11:30 AM as instructed, confirmed pickup, was reminded that pickup was no later than 5:30 PM and headed off on our short getaway. We enjoyerd a very relaxing couple of days. Unfortunately, the relaxation did not last.
On our return day, we ran into awful traffic in Braintree and all the way up through Boston we were at a crawl. From just Rt 24 to Rt 93 took more than an hour. Figured we still had plenty of time to get to the kennel before 5:30 but we would be cutting it close. On top of the traffic, there were severe thunderstorms in Boston which made bad traffic even worse! So driving now turns into clock watching. Finally hit Rt 125 in Andover at 5:15 PM and here’s where the relaxing getaway comes to a screeching end.
I called Aintree and a young girl answers the phone. Told her I was planning on picking up my dogs earlier but hit thunderstorms and bad traffic coming through Boston and was running a bit late. She advised that they will be locking the doors promptly at 5:30 PM and if I was not there then I could pick them up in the morning. Wow!!! I asked if they would wait 5 – 10 minutes for me because I was on Rt 125 in Andover headed there but I wasn’t sure how long it would take to get there. Again I was told 5:30 PM. I asked again why they wouldn’t wait for me and was put on hold so the girl could consult the owner. She came back a few minutes later and I was advised they would wait, but it would cost me $ 5 for every 5 minutes I was late. I asked if she was kidding but was assured she wasn’t.
Ok, so watch out yellow lights and stop signs cause I’m coming through. I arrive at 5:39 PM along with 2 other clients. The 3 kids jump out to come in and get the dogs. I end up waiting a couple of minutes because the woman owner is on the phone. While waiting a male who I had never seen before asks who I am picking up. Told him and he advises it wil be a $ 25 late fee. I protest saying I was only 9 minutes late and ask how that equals $ 25. He immediately raises his voice and starts asking me if I know how much it costs to stay open and wait for owners who are always late picking up. I told him I had called to let them know I had hit traffic and bad weather. He advises that he hears excuses every day. The conversation deteriorated from there. My kids 15, 13 & 12 there watching and listening.
I ask to see the contract I signed stating what the late fee policy is. He says it’s on the door. I ask again to see it as it was never explained to me. I wanted to see where I had signed acceptance of the policy. He can’t produce a contract, or even a sign on the door stating there is a late policy. He says it’s on his desk. Again I ask him to show it to me. He can’t produce it and is getting more angry because of it. Eventually he calls me some derogatory names and tells me he’s going to knock me on my backside. I step closer to him asking if this is how he treats a paying customer. He infoms me he doesn’t care about customers. At this point I tell him I want to collect my dogs and will never be back. He refuses to give me my dogs and then proceeds to two hand shove me away.
This sends my 13 year old daughter into hysterics and she runs out to get my wife from the car. The situation escalates from there with this person continuing to tell me how he could care less about customers & customer service. I continue to speak to him about how he is treating me and my family and he then reaches across the desk slaps my hand 3 times. At this point my wife says she is going to call the police.
It’s clear that they do not want 911 called so they call 411 and ask for the business office of the Boxford PD. He calls, ensures he has the business office and proceeds to report an unruly customer. His wife gets very nervous now and waives my late fee. Just pay your bill and leave she tells me. I advise I had been trying to do that for the last 20 minutes. Finally she collects my credit care, runs it through and he goes to get my dogs. I collect them and get them to the car just as the PD shows up.
Of course he runs over and immediately gives his version of the situation (which is not at all accurate). Separate conversations with the PD take place and I ultimately leave having totally forgotten my relaxing 2 days.
I will NEVER use this kennel again and suggest anyone planning to do so remember to NEVER EVER be late for pickup for ANY reason.