Best Friends PetCare Inc. to Become Operator of Kennels & Build Luxury Pet Hotel

[Figment!]

The Walt Disney World resort has internally announced the following:

Beginning January 10, 2008, the Walt Disney World Resort will transition its kennel operations to an industry expert, Best Friends PetCare Inc. Best Friends is a national provider of pet hospitality in the United States, with 44 locations in 18 states.

Conversion of Walt Disney World Resort Kennels to Best Friends will occur in phases throughout the months of January and February 2008 with the anticipated transition schedule as follows:

1/10/08 - Transportation and Ticket Center and Disney's Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground Kennels

1/24/08 - Epcot Kennel

2/7/08 - Disney's Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom Kennels

Best Friends is also slated to build and operate a full-service, luxury pet "resort" at the Walt Disney World Resort. The one-of-a-kind pet facility is expected to open in mid-2009 and will be located on Bonnet Creek Parkway. The luxury pet "resort" will cater to park and resort Guests and will provide a full range of pet hospitality services. Note, with the addition of this facility, there are no plans to allow pets in Guest rooms at any of the Disney Resort Hotels with the exception of designated service animals.

For additional information on Best Friends PetCare Inc., please view their website at http://www.bestfriendspetcare.com

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

That is great!!

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

.............................................

What a ridiculous waste of money.

Le sigh.....I can think of about 100 ways to use that money for better reasons...

[magicman]

This operation is to be headed up by former NFL QB Michael Vick.

[mac badger]

i doubt it will be disney spending the money. i would think it would be the other company, best friends petcare

[Scar]

What a ridiculous waste of money.

On whose part?

If you mean Best Friends: If they think they can turn a profit, then it is an investment.

If you mean the customers: What do you care what they spend their money on?

[DizneyFreak2002]

Let's see.. 5 star hotels aren't good enough for the rich anymore so Miami is building a 6 star hotel.. OK... and now a luxury hotel for ANIMALS??? Unreal.... Whatever....

[CaptainJessicaSparrow]

On whose part?

If you mean Best Friends: If they think they can turn a profit, then it is an investment.

If you mean the customers: What do you care what they spend their money on?

I don't care what people spend their money on. What I am getting rather fed up with is this obsession with people treating their pets like royalty.

I have pets, I love them more than anything. I have bred pure pits before. I took the best care of them, and spoiled them to a certain point. I had a pet rabbit that was my baby. But a regular vet can give the same bath as the people in the pet spas can. They are still clean.

My dogs don't need painted nails. Or bows. Or doggie make-up and dyed fur. My dogs are content staying at home, they don't go everywhere with me. I go on vacation and the vet's kennel takes good care of both bunny and doggies when I can't find family or friends (which I usually use friends).

I don't think that Disney should be encouraging more Paris Hilton/Tinkerbells of the world. Dogs have become like the new fall fashion item - a must have accessory. And that is what is starting to really tick my clock.

So I apologize for not agreeing with this idea.

[jrpersinger]

I actually think its a great idea... If and only if, this makes it so you don't have to go and walk your dog several times a day and they get more attention. Now, I would still go see my dogs daily, but having to go and walk them several times a day can get hard.

For us, its hard to find a good kennel. Or older dog gets seperation anxitey and hates being locked up in a crate or small cage. If this would give him room to roam, someone around to give him alittle more attention and lovies, we will be all over it.

On our last vacation, we actually paid my MIL to stay and sleep here so he wouldn't be lonely and we wouldn't have to board him.

[Sean Riley Taylor's Mom]

But a regular vet can give the same bath as the people in the pet spas can. They are still clean.

I just wanted to respectfully disagree with this point. Not to start a debate, though.

I am highly allergic to my Golden Retriever. To the point that if I pet or snuggle him I go into a full blown allergy and asthma attack.

In order to keep my fur baby, I have to have him shaved. Think Golden Lab look. That helps with my allergies and I can give him the love he deserves.

Anyway, the first time I took him to my Vet's office to be shaved, the groomer there did an awful job. Poor Colby had small cuts and scrapes all over him from the groomer shaving too low. It was obvious this was not something they were used to do doing. Even after I questioned them on their ability to do it. They assured me all would be fine. I felt so bad. It took weeks for the sores to heal.

Fast forward to a couple of months later when he needed to be done again. I found a local pet spa here...The Canine Ranch of all things.
I made the appointment. I was assured once again that they did this quite often and that they only have one dog in the grooming area at all times that services are being done. That was nice to hear since Colby gets very excited when there are new friends around. He is a very bulky 100 pound dog so, not easy to shave if you can imagine.

Long story short...They did an awesome job. Colby looked great. No injuries, no trauma to his Mom when I saw him. They were even able to do his teeth and nails...something even the Vet had a hard time doing. And, it was only $10 more then the Vet charged.

I have no problem at all with the pet spa we bring him too. It is not for any of the reasons most people associate with places like that. I don't paint my dog's nails or fur, etc. I have them groom my dog so he can stay a member of my family. I am 100% comfortable with their ability to take care of him. It is what they do.

I trust my Vet 100% with shots and medical issues. But, when it comes to bathing/grooming it is a "Pet Spa" all the way for us.