Dolittles Pet Retreat
Dog Boarding and Cat Boarding - Ellen Grove Queensland

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14 reviews

431 Waterford Rd, Ellen Grove, QLD, 4078 Ellen Grove, QLD 4078
1300 788 965
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11 reviews
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Lucy

08 Mar 2024

Dogs would be better on the street

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Do NOT send your dogs here. Booked these guys to care for our dogs for just over a week. We only had one update during there time there and that was only because I emailed them first. I was promised photos, none came. Two of my dogs were not socialised with others at all. All my dogs came back traumatised, quiet and one had a sore throat from what I presume was barking too much. These guys take your money, do not communicate and mis treat the animals. I complained to dogtainers (the handling agent) and got no where either. If you love your et I would suggest they would be better off living on the street for a week rather than go to these guys.
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Lola

26 Jan 2024

This place should be shut down by RSPCA

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I am appalled by the abysmal service provided by this pet resort. Not only did they neglect to respond during the Christmas storms regarding the well-being of my dog, but they also conveniently misplaced the paperwork for my 50% deposit, attempting to charge me 100% upon collection. Their incompetence reached new heights when, a month later, they once again lost the paperwork, demanding payment and erroneously contacting my emergency contact multiple times. To add insult to injury, upon collecting my bulldog, she was disgustingly filthy, covered in fecal matter, and soaking wet. I strongly caution anyone considering this company – it's an utter shambles, and I wouldn't wish such a woeful experience on any pet owner.
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Bella

12 Jan 2024

Neglect and skin irritation

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Unfortunately our first experience with Dolittles has been a complete nightmare. We dropped our spoodle off to the Ellen Grove site on the 28/12 for a 6 night stay. Bella is kept in immaculate condition. Bella was to be transferred to the kholo site where we were to collect her from on the 3/1. We arrived at the kholo site to pick her up, due to staff shortages (1 staff member) it took him 40 minutes to advise us Bella had been kept at the Ellen Grove site and never transferred to Kholo. We then had to drive to Ellen Grove to collect her. Upon collection Bella was soaking wet and shivering(the staff explained she had been washed). She stunk of urine, had faecal matter on her bottom and around the back of her right leg. Her hair was matted and she a full body rash which required a vet visit. The vet gave her an injection and she was required to wear a cone on her head until the rash settled down. She has been traumatised by the whole situation. I supplied at least 3 weeks worth of food and Dolittles returned 3 nights worth of food. The food had been stolen and obviously given to other dogs. There was a manger who was onsite at the Ellen Grove site when we collected Bella and he offered no explanation or genuine apology or financial compensation. There has been no attempt by Dolittles to follow up to see how she is doing. Bella is a part of our family and we won’t be recommending them to any of our family, friends or clients due to their lack of care, compassion and empathy.
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Browny

08 Jan 2024

Animal cruelty

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From the get go we had problems, told me they were going to pick up my dog in the morning than they ended up changing the pick up time four times. My dog was in very good condition prior to pick up, but when I got him back from dolittle my dog looked very sick he was down to skin and bones like they never fed him and also he has not bark once since I got him back but he’s making a husky sound like something is wrong with his throat, my dog also have injuries to his elbows and he just doesn’t look himself. he smell like he was never bath, I’m still waiting for an explanation, no one has responded to my emails and my phone calls. This is animal cruelty. Please don’t send your animals here they just want your money and won’t care for browny.
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Elsa and Emma

03 Jan 2024

Sloppy Business Procedures

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On Tue 10 Oct I booked my pets into your retreat at Kholo for 16 Dec to Fri 29 Dec 2023. You had cared for them previously and I was very happy. On 29 Dec I received a call to say that my pets would be returned to me between 6 and 6.30pm. later I received a call to suggest that as the returning vehicle had no air conditioning and the day hot, they would be delivered the next day. I thought that that was very considerate. On Sat morning I received a phone call to say that my pets would be delivered between 2.30 and 3.00pm. Then things fell apart and I became increasingly concerned by the actions of the staff. My pets did not arrive. At no time was I informed that I would not receive them. I consistently rang your 1300 number from 4 to 5 pm and no one answered. Why was I not informed that my pets would not be returned? On Sun morning after I telephoned many times. I became distressed and I drove to the Kholo Retreat. I was met by a locked gate which was padlocked from inside, indicating that someone was inside. I rang 20 times and received the same "leave a message" reply. Someone was inside but would not answer the phone. An entrance sign indicated that the premises were open for business from 4.00 to 5.00pm on Sun. I assume that somebody was there to conduct business and generally look after the pets. Apparently not! I returned home in disgust. I rang again 20 times between the advertised business hours but received no reply. I rang again on Mon assuming that somebody would be there even though a public holiday. Where were my pets, were they being looked after? Were they even there? I had no way of knowing. No one would answer the phone and no one apparently cared or felt responsible enough to ease my concerns by actually calling me or answering my calls. On Tue 02 Jan, I rang again between 8.00 am and 9.25 and I was answered. She unfortunately was the subject of my rage, utter frustration and bad manners and I apologise to her. I complained about the shoddy treatment that i and my pets were receiving. She initially stated that there was no one at the site on Sunday. I replied that there was somebody there as the gate was locked from the inside and someone had to be there to walk the dogs and to feed the animals. She then confessed that the site manager was there. One person to walk the dogs, feed and look after the other animals? I was once the manager of the Animal Welfare League on the Gold Coast and know how the system works and I expected better. My mind questions whether my dog was walked as advertised and were my dog and cat fed at all on Sunday and Monday!!!!! I can safely assume that no one was in attendance during business hours on Sunday because no one answered my many calls. I can safely assume that the staff including the resident manager was incompetent because again, no one answered the phone during advertised business hours. Business hours do not to my mind and vast experience, include the care of the animals but the administration and office procedure required to conduct a successful business which includes answering the phone in order to conduct a business. I have in mind administration and procedures like actions to receive order and bookings, to answer queries, to reply immediately to complaints in order to resolve them speedily and in order to maintain clients and, did I mention answering the phone and keeping clients informed. At 10.am on Tuesday 02 January 2024, I received call to say that my pets would be returned between 6 and 6.30 pm. I understand that both the combined heat and storms during this time may have affected staff and animal requirements, but management and staff should have been better prepared and capable of attending to concern from clients concerned about their pets. This is SE Qld; in November we fight fires and in January we fight storms and floods. It is routine, expected and is called weather! It is predictable! My dog and my cat were delivered tom at 5,00pm on Tuesday 02 January as promised. He eventually did by ringing me (my wife answered). You neglected however to return my dog’s bedding and toys and I had to ring you again. I was asked by the lady who answered to describe the bedding and the toys. I can only assume that the bedding and toys would have been in the accommodation recently vacated by my dog.. I had made a tentative arrangement with you to safeguard our pets later in the year for an extended period which was to cost me in the order of approximately $10,000.00. Your uncaring attitude and unacceptable, unprofessional conduct, not to mention your lack of timely explanation, or apology has just cost you that booking. Please cancel and ignore that potential arrangement. Alan Price
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Baxter and Sadie

01 Jan 2024

Avoid

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If I could give this place no stars, that would be more accurate. Drop off should have been my first and final red flag. The teenager who took my babies didn't ask any questions, bother to give any customer service. We didn't hear any updates for 4 days, and after a number of calls, messages and emails we got 4 photos. All of which our two dogs looked as if they hadn't seen anyone in days. On pickup they couldn't wait to get out of there. They now are resting due to kennel cough and on antibiotics.
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Poodle

25 Nov 2023

Dog urinating blood on return

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Dog stayed at the Carol Park area location, came home after 4 days urinating blood, not the resort's fault due to an existing medical condition however this would of been occuring for a period of time and was not detected, either inattentive staff or unrealistic work loads for staff likely culprit.
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Desmond

28 Oct 2023

Peace of mind

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My dog Desmond loves Dolittles, especially Madison! Desmond is prone to separation anxiety, but he barely notices me leave when I drop him off at Dolittles, and I'm not sure that he'd rather come home than stay at Dolittles when I pick him up! I get nervous about leaving my dog somewhere for an extended period of time, but feel immediately reassured when we arrive at Dolittles. It's such a nice space. The staff are kind, friendly and happy, and fun to be around. They truly care about the wellbeing of the pets that stay at the retreat. The staff are professionally trained, and know how to select dogs in groups for play time and in pairs for boarding. Desmond is rambunctious, and it's a relief to know that the Dolittles staff will never pair him with a dog that doesn't want to play. Desmond always comes home clean, relaxed, contented and smelling good. The price is fair, includes food, cuddles, play time, and a wash!
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Lenny & Turbo

07 Jan 2023

NEVER AGAIN

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They’re all about the money and not the welfare of your animals.. paid for pick up service and they sent a vehicle with not enough cages or room so tried cramming my dog into a small cat cage until I went off..they response was - well don’t put them in kennels?? On coming home one of my dogs was bleeding from a leg injury and fur missing from her tail, I’m still waiting for a please explain?? Never again!!…
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Audrey Rose

01 Jul 2022

Don't subject your pets!

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Terrible place to board your pet. Little female got pregnant in there. All we got was denial from staff and then total non communication. With other people recently complaining about their pets coming home sick or with other ailments I thought I should add my experience.
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3 reviews
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Mikey

03 May 2023

Cat gone

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I used this place when I went overseas. When I came back they said the cat was gone? Gone? What? They never even rang me to tell me. They left his cage open and he escaped into the wilds of forest lake and woogaroo creek on the very first day he was there. They never put a trap out to catch him. I put signs up all over the place, I hired a trap from the sunshine coast. Three months later a guy from Forest Lake caught him and took him to the RSPCA. He was matted and starving. Every day I thank God the guy managed to catch him.
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Mimi & Lois

01 May 2022

Cats Got Stolen from Dolittles

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***STOLEN***$1000 Reward. Mimi & Louis (Tonkinese) were stolen from Dolittles Pet Retreat Ellen Grove on the 28/04/2022. Mimi & Louis are microchipped and are now registered as stolen, a Police Investigation has been conducted at Dolittles regarding the theft of our cats. The reward will be paid for the safe return of Mimi & Louis with no questions asked. Please contact the owners: lilyput1smith@yahoo.com.au
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Mikey

16 Jan 2016

LOST CAT

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Dolittles Ellen Grove let my cat out of their facility. I came back after Xmas to find the cat gone. Shocking. Don't take your cat here take it somewhere else please please please,

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Dolittles Pet Retreat

Phone: 1300 78...

Phone: 1300 788 965


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