A Dog's Day Out - Springfield, Virginia

Bill M.

Our dogs have enjoyed A Dog's Day Out (ADDO) Springfield for years! Most recently, our Murphy can't wait to attend 'school' - what we tell her when headed out the door. She gets so excited!! The staff are wonderful, care deeply for all the dogs, and know their names. They keep the place very clean and are on top of all the required vaccinations. Once a month, whether our 'pups' need or not(!), we take them in for self-service baths!! Terrific facility overall and a great value. Highly recommend ADDO Springfield!

Kafi J.

"While at their facility, my dog sustained a bite that was allowed to fester and get infected during his time in their care."

TL;DR - THE SUMMARY

I was initially pleased w/ ADDO Springfield until they became unresponsive and demonstrated a basic inability to care for my dog, leaving me questioning everything.

Specifically, while at their facility, my dog sustained a bite that was allowed to fester and get infected during his time in their care.

- On 17 Feb 2023, My dog sustained a bite at ADDO Springfield, I was notified via phone that it was minor, and they would take steps to take care of it
- Picked him up as scheduled on 22 Feb 2023, met him with a patch of clumped fur that smelled foul and was oozing pus (as acknowledged by the Mgr on duty)
- On the morning of 24 Feb 2023, the vet confirmed and revealed an infected wound.
- I sent an email to ADDO on the afternoon of 24 Feb 2023 requesting a meeting with the owners and manager.
- The email - "Subject: Request to Speak About [Dog's Name] Bite Sustained 17 Feb 2023" was sent for a total of 4 messages: x3 -- 1 every 24 hours in succession and a 4th and final one on 28 2023 Feb days after the others, indicating that I would escalate.
- As of of the posting of this message, I have not received communication from ADDO Springfield.

Since it's a privately owned business that has failed to respond in a reasonable amount of time, I'm using this review as the only escalation mechanism available in this situation.

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TS; WM - THE DETAILS

This review is meant to inform other pet parents of my experience, concerns, and observed shortcomings. Given the circumstances, I've done my best to present the facts and withhold emotion. I've waited this long, 1) in part to see if ADDO Springfield would ever contact me (they have not) and 2) to create distance from the incident.

I believe that every pet parent who uses ADDO Springfield or is considering using them should know that a signed release of liability does not equal the release of a reasonable expectation to pet care by ADDO Springfield.

Simply washing and observing the injury my pet sustained while in the care of ADDO Springfield would've avoided this infection (see the above description and attached photos).

The fact that ADDO Springfield's team and protocols allowed this injury -- that my pet sustained while in their care -- to fester into infection made me wonder what other basic elements of care this team is not performing that we pet parents are unaware of. Realistically, the bite wound just needed to be observed and kept clean.

My signed agreement also has a credit card on file and an agreement for it to be used for care. I was never informed that the bite was infected nor asked if I wanted to use the card for a vet. I trusted that when the team said they would care for it, they would. I followed ADDO Springfield's norm: no news is news. Meaning, they call you for immediate issues or let you know of minor non-health-related items upon pick-up.

The lack of response to my requests to understand what happened and how to prevent it left me deeply disappointed and even more concerned about ever having them care for my pet.

Additionally, this establishment had ample time to get back to me. My request to meet expressly stated that I wanted to meet to 1) understand the protocols and how this could've happened and could be prevented in the future, 2) what exactly happened the day of the incident, and 3) exactly what actions/care was taken days after the incident, preceding my return to pick up my dog.

I provided three (3) written email requests, with the final one sent on 28 Feb 2023. As of the posting date of this review, I never heard back from anyone at ADDO Springfield. Note: Before posting this, I called to confirm they received the messages, the employee answering indicated that he sent my email to the owners who told him they would call me. I have not received that call, nor have I received an email response.

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Barbara A.

Our last 3 Westies have spent happy times at ADDO both for daycare and for overnight boarding. I love that we can drop Monty off for just 3 hours, or half or full day, and don't need to make a reservation like at other day cares. He comes home and collapses on the kitchen floor - a tired dog is ALWAYS a happy dog! The staff are warm and welcoming, and I am happy to recommend them!

Lisa B.

We love a Dog’s Day Out!!!! The staff are friendly and happy to see our pet every time we come in.
Our dog has a great time playing with all his friends and gets a lot of exercise too.

Carmille E.

I usually just come here for the self-wash station they offer for $10. My dog seems to like this place a lot as well, he is very well behaved when I give him a bath. The wash area is in a separate room, I like the peacefulness when Im in there. I can listen to my own podcast while I bathe my dog. It has been my go to place.

jaysun

Pros: Cheap and convenient
Cons: Terrible staff that don't answer the phone and lack of accountability.

I took my baby here while I was out of town and came back . My dog had marks and was shaking from cold. I'd understand if this was an outdoor daycare, but they must not have heat in the giant concrete building full of dogs. Just spend the extra and go to a better place.

Jen V.

My dog has been coming to ADDO for 6 years and loves all her dog and people friends there. Everyone has been so welcoming and kind to her and she's always so tired from her play time! She loves ADDO so much she tries to stay every time I pick her up and goes to run back in. Thank you to the ADDO staff for being the best!

Monica R.

We used ADDO Springfield for a year. Our dog was recently boarded and I was notified that she was bitten. While, at first, they were thorough with their updates, they became terribly unresponsive via phone and email. I was merely a concerned pet parent needing guidance and they hid, most likely afraid of legal action. I am disappointed in how they showed zero regard and care for my pet and they cannot be trusted.