Shady Spring Pet Retreat

Marissa Mizroch Ferro

2023-11

We unfortunately had a very negative experience at Shady Springs.We don’t have a car so we had to pay $120 round trip for our dog to be picked up from our apartment and dropped back off. We were traveling and not due to land back in DC until late afternoon. I expressed this to them, and they told me they could drop him off between 5p and 7p.Well, around noon on the day we were traveling I called them to ask when exactly he’d be dropped off. They told me he had been sitting at our vets office for hours already—no notification he’d be dropped off 7 hours before we expected, nothing. To make matters worse, he also had on no collar because they make you take it off your dog when you drop him off. We were still halfway across the country, making this a very stressful situation.When I called to ask why they would do this, they told me they would “never” have said he could be dropped off that late. They offered no help or recourse, and basically said it was my problem my dog was sitting alone in a vets office while we were still many hours away. Luckily we have friends who could go get him—not sure what we would have done otherwise.Also, the base fee simply gets your dog put in an “enclosure” (cage) and fed. Any other human interaction, including walks, or time outside will cost you extra.I’ve sat on this for a few months, because I really hate leaving bad reviews. But after sharing our experience with other dog owners I’ve decided I should write this. Don’t board your dog here.

Jay

2023-05

Normally my dog is attached to my hip 24/7 because he's a service dog. However I give him his vacation time and spa days with Shady Spring to make sure he gets time to just be a dog and not worry about working (he does love his job though).A mile up the road he begins his happy dance in the back seat because he knows where he is. It's his decompression place. I'm always glad to hear that he's doing well because not everywhere is equipped for the energy of a +100lb GSD who wants to follow Dad out the other door.We've only ever had to make use of another kennel in the region, and they are a distant second in case of emergencies. We adore the team at Shady Spring and always feel well cared for by them.

Courtney Timberlake

2023-05

My pup can be challenging - she hates change, and expresses her displeasure verbally, which you can see in the photo - but Shady Spring handles that and more. I sign my pup up for additional exercise and the chance to be an outdoor dog for a while through their Outback Package. The front desk staff have always been friendly - both in-person and over the phone - and willing to work with me on scheduling.

K Casazza

2023-05

So we stopped here after Aspen Leaf (Giant Schnauzers) to get info on boarding our 3 small dogs. Rainy day; Office seemed closed few minutes before 6pm regular hours and front business parking was now empty. Got no info. We let our dogs out where there was a dog station (bags/trash bin provided) and it took us a bit to dry them off and get the wet grass clippings out of their fur. Some huffy lady pulled up next to our vehicle acting indignant as to why we were there. Even after telling her our intentions, she was rude and repeatedly said it was private property. We told her we were ready to leave. She was not the owner (I inquired.) Needless to say, between her tart personality and the stressed barking we heard from the metal/cement kennels out back, we’d never entrust our dogs to shady care at Shady Spring “Pet Resort." That’s the picture of the unprofessional staff lady who was rude to us, sitting in her maroon SUV.

Jamieson Nichols

2023-08

I have boarded my dogs here multiple times over the last 2 years or so and have been very happy with the service. The groomer does a great job with them, especially my shep/husky mix. The dogs are excited to see the staff each time they board. The staff know each of my dogs and their personalities and seem to be really good with them. **Not always an easy ask because some of my dogs are absolute maniacs.** My guys are worn out for 24 hours after I bring them home, bonus for me. There is no charge for them to feed my guys their usual food. Additional things I prefer for my dogs: the ability to house my "shy" one with a buddy and that they don't interact with other dogs (no group play). They do offer individual activity add-ons for pets to increase enrichment and comfort while the dogs are there. I have not boarded a cat or pocket pet/exotic pet but they have both available. Worth the drive from DC for my guys. I see a pet shuttle listed for people in the DC area but I have never used it.

E. Xplosion

2023-05

UPDATE 3/23: Approximately 10 months after our first visit I boarded my dog again for a similar period. This time though I have some concerns about the quality of care and handling my dog received. Before my dog was delivered home, a staff member called to let me know that her nose had been rubbed raw from kennel anxiety but they had treated it. Although she is kennel trained and this is out of character for her I said ok and waited for her to be delivered. When my dog arrived her nose was not rubbed raw, all of the skin was ripped off like her face was dragged across concrete. Her paw pads were in similar shape and this required a vet visit which cost me hundreds of dollars. My dog is large and vigorous but she is not aggressive so I don’t understand why she would be handled so roughly as to receive several injuries. I don’t understand the need to try to downplay how hurt she was and lie about treating her wounds. This is a living creature they were paid to care for and my faith in their quality of care is nonexistent after this. Do not bring your dogs here.OLD REVIEW 2022: My dog Patty was boarded here for one week while I drove across the country. In spite of being a little timid and having a weak appetite, she is very much in good health and spirits. They even delivered to my home in DC for a reasonable price. I plan to use this establishment again in the future.

Zulma Whiteford

2023-05

I have nothing but praise for this facility, their staff and extra-ordinary care. We had to board our 16 year old cat Javi, who requires wet food twice a day and monitoring and no one else was available. A different local facility told us he was too old for them to accept it even if we could have vet vouch for his health. Shady Spring was kind, welcoming and did a great job with our old grumpy but sweet boy. I would highly recommend them and will definitely use them again.

Mike Salko

2023-12

Friendly staff who took great care of our family member Morgan! Highly recommend!

michelle Hargrave

2022-05

Just move from SETX to Washington D.C and found this place to bring my service dog in training to get a fresh start since his emergency adoption on 03/11/2022. I can't wait for him to join the place next week. Very nice facility with polite staff members.

Pup Gryphn

2023-05

I will always give these guys five stars. A pet boarding space run by animal lovers and it shows. The updates provided during the stay and prompt communication back and forth. Highly recommend you give em a try

Mark Eisner

2023-05

Shady spring is professionally operated, nice to deal with, and overall the best kennel in the area. Our dogs have always come home clean, happy and well.

W von Rautenkranz

2020-05

We have been customers of Shady Spring many times before. They have always treated our dogs very well. Thus, I wish I could leave 2 reviews. First, the trainers are awesome and our dog was treated great.However, make sure you get all the costs in writing up front, otherwise you will have a nasty surprise. Their fees are far from reality.Also, be cautious with the manager - Not a nice person - Very Combative.Again, just verify in advance in writing and you will have a good experience.

April Milan

2020-05

My husband and I boarded our 4 guinea pigs here for a little over a week. The staff took such good care of them, and truly went above and beyond what we could have expected. We will definitely use them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a small animal boarding.

Jennifer Bottamiller

2015-05

We have brought our 1 year old coonhound here a few times and he just absolutely loves it. He bounces right in, the staff is kind and attentive, and at our request have worked with him doing a continuation of the training we did at home. Their new trainer is excellent, and has worked with the staff to implement a positive-reinforcement training system. Sammy comes home happy and exhausted each time. It is expensive, but the staff has been extremely accommodating in my experience.

Julin Shaw

2018-05

***WARNING!*** Think twice before leaving your pet here!!! This is the second time we've left our black lab here and BOTH times he has come home with issues. The first time, they gave me a flier indicating that they found a hotspot on his neck. This has NEVER happened to him before. They shaved the area and advised how to treat it. This time, we noticed the same area was matted down. They did not call our attention to the issue, but had given him a bath just before we got there so it's IMPOSSIBLE that they didn't notice. Overnight on our dog's first night home, he started a cough and his neck area became so swollen, we took him to the vet. $991.93 later, he has kennel cough and a severe infection in his neck. They had to sedate him to treat it due to how painful it was. I'm so sad for our dog and ANGRY that this has happened. We will NEVER leave him here again. So like I said, think twice, because the cost to leave your pet at the kennel could multiply by 5 times due to their "services".If I could leave less than one star on here, I would. Please be careful leaving your pet here!

Lisa Kahl

2022-05

Love this place. Have had 4 dogs boarded & groomed here over the last 25 years. Staff are a pleasure to work with.

Damien Lehfeldt (TheFencingCoach)

2019-05

Checked my dog in here for boarding. When I picked him up, he had breathing issues. We had to put him down 24 hours later. He was a young and healthy dog with no issues, and had he been attended to, perhaps he'd still be alive. Avoid this place at all costs.

Jeremy Najjar

2023-06

Wonderful place. Friendly service. Reasonable prices. Been using them for over 20 years.

Thomas Lloyd

2023-11

Amazing place..My dog Tanner had the best time

Paul R Gunther

2024-03

My dog was cleaned, groom stem to stern

Michael Tucker

2016-05

Great location and great staff. Our dogs always enjoy their time at the facility and we trust the staff completely.

Amanda Behrens

2018-05

Friendly staff. Nice country location. Plenty of room for your dog or cat to enjoy their stay.

Janice Gordon

2018-05

Very friendly staff and my dog comes home happy every time. Grooming also available.

Maggie Sheer

2022-05

Just a great place - we've been boarding here for over a decade and have had nothing but great experiences.

Kathy Connelly

2018-05

60 years experience! Everyone is extremely nice and delightful! They have so many things to offer please call and inquire!

Kathy Myers

2022-05

Friendly and clean. Felt safe leaving our cat with them.

SJ Nieto

2019-05

Visit the kennel before you leave your dog here. Ask to see the kennel when all of the dogs are in the kennel, around 4:00PM.

Michelle Labovitz

2017-05

Very friendlyOur animals loved it there!!

Tron Swordbane

2020-05

My lady's job. Real good animal care.

Chris Bensen

2017-05

Very nice people would to business anytime!!