The Animal House

Anna Keistler

2024-01

We had a recent disappointing and unfortunate experience at the Animal House regarding my dog’s grooming. On Friday the 8th, we had an appointment at 10:00 for a full grooming. When my husband dropped off our dog, he was informed it would take 2-3 hours since they were running behind. At 2:30 (4.5 hours later), he called to check in. At this time, the person on the phone frantically said “oh he’s just getting in the bath now.” At 4:30, we decided to finally check in person. When we arrived, we expressed our concern at waiting 6.5 hours for an appointment that was at 10:00. After checking in, the unprofessional front desk first told us she didn’t have any idea since she just got there but finally got up to ask someone. She told us he would be done soon but was being “rambunctious.” We expressed how this definitely made sense as he had been waiting several hours and is only a 7 month old, social golden retriever. Once we finally had our dog come out, no sincere or genuine apology was given. Instead, just a comment about how he was rambunctious. At this time, it came out that they mixed up dogs and had ours in the day care area in a private room, where he was forgotten about. We assume until we called due to the frantic response on the phone. No explanation or apology was given for this huge mistake. However, it further explained his behavior during the grooming. During the payment time, we were charged $85. The amount on the website stated $50. The only explanation provided was “it’s outdated.” Once we finally got our dog back, more than 6.5 ours lately, he looked like barely much hair was cut off…definitely not $85 worth.We completely understand mistakes happen but expected a professional response along with some sort of restitution. Instead, we were greeted with unprofessionalism and nothing to make up for this negative experience. We left our number and were told a manager would call first thing on Tuesday morning. Almost 2 weeks and 2 emails later, we have yet to be contacted…they have shown NO interest in changing this situation, apologizing, explaining, or even responding to our concerns. Next time, we will stick to Petsmart.

Sharon Barnes & Associates

2024-04

Have been a client for many years And they’re amazing!

Brett Mahnke

2023-08

Our pup loves this place. It's great because it's not kennel runs that the dogs are stuck in all day, they get to play with the other pups their size. All the interaction is wonderful for our pup.

Gabby P

2023-05

My dogs love coming here! They always play in daycare before their grooming and they are always tuckered out every time I pick them up. The staff is amazing as well! We love animal house!

Paul Jones

2023-05

DO NOT use their service! We brought our corgi here after his regular groomer was closed for a while. He’s always been very excited about bath time and grooming, not to mention well-behaved….until he came here. I’ve never seen him so terrified as he was when I picked him up from his appointment. Since then, he struggles with bath time at home, and his original groomer has told us he has become more aggressive and nervous when he comes to her. I don’t know what they did to my dog in just a few short hours, but I will tell everyone I know not to bring their pets to this place! Over priced, not friendly, and the girl at the desk couldn’t even tell me what services they performed on my dog at the price they were charging me.

David Blair

2023-05

Best kept secret in Augusta. Mostly young folks run it...never saw a bad attitude or unhappy critter/patron in the place. Puppy daycare and boarder people have an obvious love for animals, and pride in what they do. Animals always seem joyful when they leave.

Jared Reece

2023-05

Had our dog here for just about everything they offer (daycare, grooming, etc,) for at least the last three years. Lately the service, mainly demeanor of the staff, has been atrocious. They’re like children…they don’t listen and think they know everything. But when something goes wrong, or there’s a miscommunication on their part, they’re quick to deny it or blame someone else. Today was the final straw for us and we’ll be moving on. Managers don’t seem to be concerned with losing clients so, good luck if you decide to use them but, I would go with someone you can trust who cares about your experience.

Hoston Fannings

2023-11

Handling their employee benefits through Aflac was a positive experience because of their personable management staff and dedication to professionalism.

Jimmy Powell

2023-05

Very rude staff and atmosphere just walking in wasn't conducive to a positive environment. Was told my 4 month old Frenchie couldn't stay just for the day! ... Needed a week long "temperament test" and some other excuses and/or reason(s) they (she) would allow him to stay. I highly suggest not using this company. Staff is rude and off-putting. WOULD recommend hsing the Rover app.

carmen logan

2022-05

My dog was accepted for temperament test on Thursday prior to boarding for the weekend . This was our first time at this establishment, of which I believed would be great for our pet. Information was not clearly relayed regarding preparation of food/ feeding. I was initially informed of a $2 discount with bringing food when boarding. It was not relayed that food must be individually bagged for each day boarded. I spoke with the staff regarding not receiving clear information. Full boarding was charged without discount. Due to this being our first time at the establishment with this occurrence, I believed the staff was unclear with requirements for food distribution resulting in higher fees then told day before.

Sarah Davis

2016-05

Our dogs LOVE the animal house! They are regulars there and the staff is wonderful, friendly, and the facility is always clean. We feel safe and comforted knowing our dogs are in such good hands at a place like the Animal House! And I personally love the free little candies they always have for the pet owners at check out :) can't say enough great things about this place!

Leigh Alford

2021-05

I used to work here, and at the time the employees were treated horribly. With the new current management, some of the employees I have talked to say that they are being treated better. While the animals have been loved and cared for under both the old and new management, I love knowing that now the animals AND employees are being taken care of.I highly recommend this place because you will be supporting an establishment that cares for both the clients and the workers. I've never had an issue with my dog boarding here. There is a boarding and grooming shop literally right on my street about a minute away, but I drive 30 mins to get to Animal House bc it's worth it.

deanna jones

2019-05

Twice I booked an appointment and once I got there (after rearranging my morning) they told me that their scheduler did not write my dog on the calendar and they could not groom him. They weren’t apologetic at all. The first time it happened, I thought.... ok things happen it was an over sight. But twice no. Especially when I’m a loyal customer who tips well. There was a time that my dog became very sick after grooming and a play day. It cost me $300 at the vet, 5 days of my dog being sick, plus their grooming and play date fee. I’ve found a new groomer that’s clean and appreciates our business

Shirley Willis

2015-05

Took my two miniature poodles in for a full grooming. The staff was very friendly. The shop looks nice and clean. My dogs were very well groomed and smelled so good! I loved the bows on my girl dog and the bandana on my male dog! Their pricing is higher than I prefer to pay. I always shoot for the $35-40 (per dog) range and they charged me $47 (per dog) , but it's still cheaper than most places in the area.

Lyndsey A. Hix

2021-05

My dog came to Animal House three times. We were told after the first visit that she could have another try. After our third visit no one said that anything was wrong at all. I showed up today and was informed that she was not allowed to attend dog daycare and couldn’t come back. It would have been helpful to know this in advance, since I planned on being able to board her today while our house is being moved. Very poor communication from Animal House on this.

Amy Patton

2019-05

The staff is always friendly and demonstrates that they have taken a personal and vested interest in my dog. They know him by name, they can tell me some of his personality traits, they tell me about how he has spent his day and which other animals he's been playing with. My dog is a smaller medium size dog (about 32lbs), but they put him in with the "big dogs" because Archie prefers to play with them. WHICH IS SO TRUE! He always seeks out the German Shepherds at the dog park. It means SO much that they take the time to get to know him.This morning, my dog was VERY excited to be at The Animal House and caught me off guard. He pulled out of my grasp and took off down the hall towards the pen area. He just sat himself down in front of the gate with tail WAGGING AWAY. I heard the staff in the back immediately say, "Archie! Hey, Sweet boy!"You can definitely tell the staff are "animal people" and I love that they love my pet! Thanks for the great job ya'll do!

Rob Plonski

2017-05

We've done daycare and boarding- excellent experience every time. Our dog was a rescue and loves other animals but skittish of people; however, he loves this place. One of few places he wags his tail when we get there, which means they treat him very well.

Robert Worden

2023-05

I can't say enough!! I was loading at a place that wouldn't allow pets on the property, I called on very short notice and they took care of my boy for a couple hours,, 14$, I gave em a twenty! Very nice people and came through when the chips were down for me

Alayna Alexander

2015-05

Great place. I was just in Augusta temporarily for a summer internship and needed a place to occasionally board my dog or take him to doggy day care. I heard great things from a few people at the local dog park and decided to try it out. My dog is very energetic and very playful. He always comes home worn out from playing so hard. Everyone is super friendly. The staff is great.

Jennifer Gates

2020-05

I asked them not to separate my dogs and they did anyway! One dog came home from the trial day depressed. We had booked to go out of town and for them to stay for the weekend. She did NOT want to go back but was too late to change kennels. She came home severely depressed after the weekend. There is no outside run, just a minimal potty spot. My dogs have done amazing and love a different daycare so we won’t make this mistake again.

Lorraine Rodriguez

2018-05

I am quite pleased with the facility and every time I pick up my girl, she's smiling. The staff have always been caring and courteous. They greet my baby by name when we walk in and have been accommodating when I run late to pick her up. I've used other boarding and daycare facilities in the area, but I've had the best experience here.

ASHLEY M

2022-05

Animal House was not prepared or equipped to handle proper care of our dog. We have a GSP that is high energy and loves all people and other animals. He went for his “temperament test” and we were told he passed and was able to board there but were told he did jump over the fence into another section with smaller dogs. Granted, we have a smaller dog that he adores! I was told if he did this again 3 times he wouldn’t be allowed to come back. I asked them more then once if they had set plans if he were to do this when we were out of town and unable to come get him. They said of course...we can separate him. Needless to say I receive a call stating he jumped over the fence into another zone again and that he was put in a kennel alone. I totally understand wanting to protect the other dogs but why are your facilities not equipped for dogs that can jump? Also, might I add they wouldn’t allow me to tour the facility and I have come to learn there is no outside play zone...only for bathroom purposes. Make the fencing taller or separate the rooms between the different dog areas. I was told they feared for him injuring himself because he was chewing on wood after he was separated. Why are you boarding him where wood is present to begin with? He’s not an anxious dog and loves to play with other animals and people yet I was told the only time he would jump over was when an employee entered the zone. Our GSP is super smart so it makes me wonder. Would not recommend this facility if you don’t want to worry about your animal whilst out of town. We had a friend go pick up our dog so that we knew he was safe and boarded him elsewhere. Thankfully they had an opening.

Meghan Archer

2023-05

Very friendly staff!! Very personable and knowledgeable! I feel great leaving my dog for daycare or a bath and know she is in good hands. 10/10 reccommend!

Gail Hendrix

2017-05

I am new to The Animal House Inc and their services, I have only recently showed interest in doing business with them when they hired a wonderful new groomer to their staff, Vera Evans. She has been my groomer for my babies for MANY years now and I have gladly followed her to anywhere she has worked over the years. No other groomer has ever given my girls better care that what Vera does. She is the absolute best! She is patient and kind and truly takes the time to get to know you and your pets and builds trusting relationship with them and you, ultimately becoming a part of the family. She is skilled in hand scissoring and handstripping as well as custom clips. She is unbelievably knowledgeable and trained to be attentive and recognize certain medical issues and such helping you to keep your babies in the best overall health possible and above all making sure that the pets and their owners are always happy. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone to give Vera a try if they are looking for that special someone they know they can absolutely trust with their precious little fur-babies.

NL Wilson Westmark

2017-05

The quality of service here has declined significantly recently. Specifically there was a miscommunication regarding a grooming appointment for my dog. I originally had scheduled for her to board over the weekend, with a grooming appointment on Sunday before I picked her up, but became ill and had to cancel my trip. I called to cancel the boarding, but said I would like to keep the grooming appointment, and even confirmed that the appointment would be on Sunday as previously arranged. This was confirmed on Friday. When I showed up with my dog on Sunday I was told the groomer wasn't in and I had missed my appointment and there was no recourse as they had "called and confirmed my appointment for Saturday on Friday," which was a blatant lie. This is extremely irritating in the least and makes me question whether or not I will be continuing to be a patron of this business. I've had some great experiences with them, but it has not been the same quality lately and doesn't seem to be improving anytime soon.

Ebony Smith

2016-05

I was contacted by "The Animal House. Inc." after we had a mis communication when I got my Poodle groomed. I am happy to post this review. I tried them again and they did an awesome job on my poodle. I was very happy and the fact that they contacted me to resolve the problem speaks VOLUMES! I was looking for a new groomer closer to my home and I have found one!

Derek Whitaker

2019-05

Both of my dogs contracted kennel-cough despite having the appropriate vaccinations and current flu shots. After $5,000 of veterinary care and a 6 week quarantine, I was told that my dogs were aggressive, and they could not return for daycare. My dogs had been going to that place for a year prior to these events. It's interesting that they didn't become dangerous until after they got sick.

Ashley Watkins

2013-05

This is the worst dog care facility I have ever seen! I boarded my dog there for 10 days and when I picked her up the OWNER told me she just started throwing up and it had only been twice. I'm the biggest worry about my baby so I went straight to the vet. The vet then informed me that she was severely dehydrated and that was not from throwing up two times. I guess the owner does not consider telling the pet owners the truth about what really goes on when you drop your best friend off.

Bryon Goeddel

2021-05

We left our dog here for a week while on vacation. When we came back he seems to have kennel cough IMO and has lost weight, I weighed him. This place will also not answer the phone nor return calls left on VM which is absolutely ridiculous. Would not recommend and would NEVER leave my dog here again.

Adrianna Hurst

2016-05

I love taking my doggies here for day care. The staff is very friendly and the know and love my dogs. They always come back smelling good (even when they don't get groomed) & happy!