Not only is Louie a beloved family member, but he also works as a spokesperson for my bow-tie business, The French Bulldog. I travel with him to pet expos around the country, and recently our family had the opportunity to combine business with a stop at Walt Disney World. This meant that Louie had to ride while we were at the park.
I’ve never ridden a dog before, so I’m a little nervous about that as well as Louie’s severe separation anxiety. We chose to board at Best Friends Pet Care, the boarding facility most used by Disneygoers and the only one located on Disney property.
Upon arrival at Best Friends, the staff checked Louie for fleas. If fleas are found, flea medication is given before the dog stays. I like this. Louie is flea free because I applied flea protection before going to Florida. I don’t want to take home a souvenir of this kind and I can appreciate that the kennel is trying to reduce sharing.
Louie was shaking with fear as he checked for fleas, and I knew he suspected I was going to leave him with strangers while I was gone for a day of fun. I trusted the staff, who were very kind and helpful, so I knew Louie was in good care. However, when I picked him up at the end of our first day, Louie was clearly traumatized. For the first time, he didn’t run up to me and give me kisses, but instead tried to run past me just to get out of the cage and back to the safety of the car.
I have never seen him like this. He gets stressed when he is separated from me, even inside our own house. I broke his trust and I’m like dirt. The worst thing is that I have to take him back the next day. His loyalty is greater than any dog I’ve ever had, but I was afraid I’d ruined that in a day at a boarding facility.
The next day, I took a shirt that I had worn the day before (and had not yet washed) for him to sleep in. I should have done it the first day, but thought it better to prepare a day late than not at all. I want to help reduce Louie’s anxiety as much as possible. Imagine my surprise when he squirmed with joy when he met the Best Friends Pet Care staff that morning! It’s good to know that the dog is comfortable with people and facilities and only experienced severe separation anxiety because I left him. Clearly, he felt more confident on the second day, knowing that I would come back for him.
I’m not sure I could give a more glowing review than my dog’s reaction on the second day, given his experience on the first day with his separation anxiety. Needless to say, we absolutely love Best Friends Pet Care, and should we ever find ourselves in the situation of having a dog in the Orlando area that needs boarding, we will definitely use them again.
With my dog staying there, the manager gave me a tour of the facilities to show me what was available. In addition to boarding dogs, it also has a cat room and can house any companion animal except primates and poisonous pets. There was a guinea pig checked in while I was there. “Everyone travels,” explained his owner, who also had two dogs on board.
The cat room has private condos for kittens. Each has a separate, dark potty area, and the condos range from one to four “bedrooms” for the cats, stacked on top of each other so the cats can climb into them. and comfortable at whatever level they are used to watching. the world. Cats get private, one-on-one playtime if they board for more than one day.
Dog owners have many options. There are all-indoor kennels, each with a separate potty area so dogs don’t soil their sleeping area, or you can upgrade to a variety of indoor-outdoor kennels.
Villas are quieter, indoor-outdoor kennels with paved outdoor runs and two beds, one elevated and one hammock-style. They have TVs in the dog rooms — playing the Disney channel, of course. Louie has this kind of room, and he is intrigued by the television. (We don’t often do this at home.)
There are also four VIP Suites available for reservation, and they include all the Villas offer including a real-grass potty area, play equipment on the paved outdoor run section, and a private off-leash doggy dog-only park in the suites. In addition, dogs staying in the Suites get all the perks available for owners to purchase a la carte in the Basic or Villa kennels, such as grooming, massages, one-on-one cuddles, storytime, and extra outdoor walks.
In addition, Doggy Day Camp is available for those working in the Orlando area or staying for an extended period of time. It’s an indoor, all-play area for dogs, with two hour breaks for lunch and naps. New dogs should be introduced slowly to the daily group of campers to make sure they get along well, so this is not an option for dogs that are boarded for just a few days or a week.
I am especially impressed that there are facilities for dogs whose owners have forgotten their vaccine records. Everyone has oops moments, and Best Friends Pet Care doesn’t believe your vacation should be ruined because you can’t ride your dog. These dogs are kept in a separate room, and the owners must return to walk them at least every six hours throughout the day.
The facility has a full kitchen and can accommodate any diet your pet is on. They will even cook real “human” food if that’s what your dog is used to eating, so raw diets or special diets won’t be a challenge. A laundry facility is well used, as staff wash all the beds (which they provide, to reduce fleas entering the prison); repair facilities are in place; and an off-leash park is out back, featuring a large shaded area, two different-sized dog-bone-shaped pools, and a water feature.
In addition, pet owners can choose to add a la carte options to any room package they choose for their best friend. Every pet owner and every budget can be accommodated, and the staff will make sure your dog is comfortable and well cared for. I know firsthand that even if your dog is hesitant to leave you, he will be well cared for in your absence.
Best Friends recommends preparing your pet for boarding by making sure all vaccinations are up to date and that flea medication is up to date. Remember that dogs are more comfortable in smaller spaces when scared or uncomfortable, as this is their natural “denning” instinct. A very large and spacious kennel may be your first choice, but may not be the best for your dog. Be open to staff suggestions; they know dogs and have your pet’s best interest at heart. (They suggested upgrading Louie to the Villa, knowing that such a shy dog would do better in a more private place.) Packing a piece of clothing that smells like you is Best Friend’s suggestion and helps your dog feel comfortable while you are at home. gone. You can also bring one or two of your dog’s favorite toys.
Dogster scorecard for Best Friends Pet Boarding
Quality: A+. The facilities and staff at Best Friends certainly live up to Disney standards.
Customer Service: I will give them four paws, as the staff varies to make Louie and I comfortable during our stay there. Watching the staff interact with other guests, I knew they weren’t just trying to impress me. Excellent customer service is what they offer to everyone.
Cleanliness: Definitely A+. While all licensed kennels must adhere to certain standards, I was very impressed with the “no outdoor bedding” policy to try to control flea infestation. I choose parasite-free over the comfort of having a pet’s own bed. Hope other owners agree.
Amount: With a base price of $34 per day, and being the only kennel in the area that allows pick-up until 1 am after Disney park closing, Best Friends is an excellent value for what you get .
Bottom line
I spoke with the owner of a Dachshund who was taking his dog to Best Friends after a week long Disney vacation. “I have boarded here for years. Usually our girl gets the VIP Suites, but they fill up so fast that I had to get the Villas the last few times. I’m already booked for next year. I wouldn’t take my dog anywhere else.”
I think this speaks volumes about the level of care provided at Best Friends Pet Resort. Even Louie gave it four legs!
