Candlewick Kennels

I have used Candlewick Kennels many times. The staff is always friendly and their attention to detail is outstanding. My dogs ejoy their stay and always come home happy and healthy. The grooming services have been excellent. I had to leave my one dog at Candlewick for an extended period following surgery. After 8 weeks, she came home fully recovered and even more confident and relaxed than she had before I took her there. I have been to other kennels in the past but have not found one as clean, professional and friendly as Candlewick. I recommend them to all my pet owning friends. more

My dog was in terrible shape when I picked him up!!!!!!!!! He lost an enormous amount of weight, his fur was shedding and he was weak ;he was not himself at all. When I would call to check on him the staff told me he was doing fine which was not true. Cost me 200 bucks in vet bills to get him back in shape. more

AVOID THIS KENNEL AT ALL COSTS! I used this kennel for the first time in Aug. 2011. I went there to check it out, unannounced. It looks good. It seems clean and has all the bells and whistles. Thus, I did not feel the need to research reviews online. I left my cat there for a 10-day vacation. The cat had diabetes and needed insulin injections twice a day. On day 5, I got a call that the cat was found in a diabetic coma that morning. They took him to our veterinarian, where he died within 24 hours. His blood sugar was so low that I believe he was overdosed on insulin. Did they do this on purpose? Probably not. However, in discussing this with the vet, it it likely that the staff at the kennel gave my cat two injections the evening before he was found in a coma, not one. Also, when I returned, one syringe from the supply that I had left was missing. You do the math. An accident is understandable, perhaps even forgiveable; however, people should know that the staff was extremely rude and even hostile toward me on the phone! When I was first notified, the woman who called (and never even said her name) was mostly interested in letting me know that she ""did what she was supposed to do"" in taking my cat to the vet clinic. Wow, what a hero! I had so many questions, yet she was rude and curt with me. I was hundreds of miles away, helpless, but I got the feeling that the kennel didn't care. After my cat died, I called every day to check on our other cats and was treated poorly as if my calls were an inconvenience. (That is, when I could get through the line. Often I was put on hold for 10 minutes or more, or the line was busy altogether.) When I returned, the kennel had the audacity to charge me for my dead cat's stay. Initially, I paid (not looking at the bill closely). Later I called to complain, and they did reverse the charge. However, NOT ONCE did they ever apologize or say they were sorry. I guess saying you're sorry or offering condolences is tantamount to admitting guilt. That is ridiculous! It has been very difficult for my family and me. We loved this cat as one of our own. We have had our hearts devastated, and we feel guilty for not researching this kennel before putting our cats there. After the fact, we learned from friends and extended family that pretty much everyone knows someone who has had problems there. The president of the Pug Association even had horror stories to share. Did we pursue legal action? No. The kennel requires you to sign liability release paperwork upon leaving your animal there. The Dept. of Agriculture can conduct an investigation, but how can they prove it? I know that they were negligent and that my cat was overdosed with insulin. I know that in my heart. But could I prove it? No. Getting involved in costly litigation would have been too difficult for our family emotionally. I just want to warn others that even though this kennel looks nice on the outside, the staff is rude and incompetent and your animal will not be safe in their ""care."" Beware!!! more

What is up with the staff at this place? They are the rudest front desk people I've ever come across. I could hear them laughing at me through the glass after I had left and was putting my dog in the car. Seriously? You can't even wait until I drive away ti insult me? more

I used to bring my poodle here for grooming, but EVERYTIME I picked him up something else would be wrong. One time they sliced open his ear, one time they clipper burned him, twice he got lip infections after they brushed his teeth. Not sure what the hell goes on there, but I found another groomer stat. Every time I picked him up he drank water like he was out in a desert and peed & pooped, so I don't think they gave him any potty breaks. Such a shame- the place could be awesome, but it's not.... more

We have been using Candlewick for about 8 years now. Our dogs love going to the kennel, when we are in the office, they run straight to the door to the kennel and wait to go in! The staff is extremely professional, helpful and friendly. Whenever we pick them up, they are happy. The groomers always do an outstanding job and they both always look great. I would highly recommend this place to anyone. more

I took my small dog here at the recomendation of several people. He is a rescue and has had health problems but has been healthy for the last three years and after working with him since I took him home he has come to love people and other dogs again. I dropped him off at Candlewick and the woman who took him seemed nice and the groomer came out to talk about cutting my dogs hair. I left worried but I was reassured he'd be taken care of. When I went to pick him up the woman carried him out and I just took him from her I didnt even let him walk until I got home. When he did walk his back legs gave out on him I checked his hip and pelvis for any fracures or dislocations and when I couldnt find any I took him to the vet I ended up having to take him to the vet neurologist and getting a CT scan he had a ruptured disc bewtween his L2and L3 and I had to opt for an almost 6,000 dollar surgery for him. This happened not even two weeks ago and every attempt to contact Candlewick to just t more

I choose Candlewick Kennels to bring my two dogs to for their first time at a kennel. I could not be happier with my experience! The manager went above and beyond all my expectations to make sure I knew all the different options for my pets stay and even suggested that I bring some toys from home and could always call and check in on them. When I brought them in I was amazed to see how clean their facility was and was happy to see that they greated each of my dogs by name and made them feel comfortable. I would definitly recommend Candlewich Kennels to anyone looking to board their dog or cat, their facility and staff are top notch. more

I have full confidence in the loving, kind way Candlewick is run. It was at first a surprise to see some negative reviews, but having lived all over the US (CT, IL, WI, MN, CA) and taken my cherished loved-pets to kennels everywhere, you can always find bad experiences-- even at the best kennels. \r \r Some of the things listed as a negative are common when you're boarding dogs that are used to living in the home (ours are) and sleeping by your bed (ours are) and being treated like family members (ours are). \r \r Usually they don't seem the same for a few days or even a couple of weeks when they come back from any kennel. We often chose house-sitters to avoid this. When we had to do boarding, it was always less than ideal.\r \r Most of the great experiences don't get posted because you leave happy. Many owners are not ready for their pets to be in a kennel-- that is why house-sitting works best for many.\r \r However, we were pleased with Candlewick and felt they were in the upper tier o more

My family had brought all 4 of our dogs here when we can to leave town for a few days to go to my grandfathers funeral. I came back early from the funeral to pick up the dogs, I gave the kennel at least a 5 hour warning that I was picking them up. When I arrived I was still upset and just got the dogs into the car to bring them home. On the way home I noticed they all smelled like urine, upon further inspection all 4 dogs were covered in urine and had to be bathed when I got them home. I noticed the same day when I got them that they all had a cough. All dogs had contracted kennel cough, ALL HAVE GOTTEN SHOTS FOR THIS. My little pomeranian ended up getting pneumonia and almost died. This is my baby. I was so shook up by this that I will NEVER leave my dog in a kennel again. When I called the kennel to tell them what happened and ask they pay for something, all they did was say they were not liable and that there was a sick dog in the kennel but all dogs shot records are checked. NEVER more

I don't leave my black lab here anymore...The people at the front desk as so rude, I've never seen anything like it...makes me wonder how they treat the animals... more

I have been boarding my three dogs with Candlewick Kennels for years now.My dogs are spoiled and run my house for sure. My husband has his favorite but that's besides the point. At Candlewick my dogs are treated very well... they actually wag their tails when we bring them through the door for another boarding... how often does that happen. The staff knows me by name and they greet my dogs with a warm welcome and the affection I expect from a professionally run kennel.\r \r One of my dogs is very finicky about getting her hair trimmed but she loves the grooming at Candlewick. They have the right mix when it comes to handling her... My other Brittany has very long nails that seem to grow faster than I can trim them and she hates to have them trimmed - she is perfect every time she comes back from the Kennel's grooming salon. I am very specific how I want my dogs trimmed and Candlewick has never disappointed me....\r \r I have lived in several States and have had my dogs at every different k more

I boarded my dog there for the first time in Feb of 08. My dog is a little shy and I wasn't to sure how she was going to handle it and how much attention she would get. She is also on a prescription diet. I was amazed on how she was when I picked her up. She was very happy and clean. She really enjoyed herself and the staff there were great. They gave me paperwork showing me how she did and she also had notes on how she liked her play times. After taking her home I knew they kept her on her own food because she didn't have diarrhea. I would recommend this kennel to anyone. This wasn't the first time I have boarded her some where but by far this was the best place more

Please do not take your pets to this facility. We took both of our toy poodles there July 15- 22 2007. We selected this facility even though it was on the more expensive side because we wanted the very best for out dogs, they are like out children. \r \r We picked them up and they were both severely ill. One of my dogs, Bennett was bleeding from his rear when we picked him up don't know how many days he had suffered with bloody diarrhea but he had no fur left on his entire backside. We paid extra for them to be able to have their own food but I don't know if this was provided. He also had a high fever and a viral kennel cough, which is not in the shots for kennel cough dogs receive so they are not protected from this. My other dog Mandy also had the same viral kennel cough.\r \r Both were young only 4 and 5 years old and in excellent health prior to going to the kennel. I have spent thousands in medical bills, and would do it again as these were our babies, but Mandy suffered so terribly more

This kennel was horrible. I believe my dog was abused. He came back a different dog and it has taken weeks to get him back into his routine. He still flinches when we go to pet him. Pros: none Cons: horrilbe kennel more

Besides a beautiful, pristine setting, Candlewick offers the best dog and cat care when you just have to board your pet. The staff is caring and professional and it's wonderful to read the staff notes of what your dog did while you were away! They now have a lovely training room with Connecticut's best canine behavior specialist, Martha Bailey, offering a variety of classes to meet all your pet training needs. I wouldn't go anywhere else for my kennel or dog training needs. more

Our family drops off our two dogs at the kennel when we go up to maine. They are pretty good with the dogs, considering how many animals they have there. It is a little more expensive than some of the other kennels, but the staff is friendly and our dogs always come back happy. more

Things have been getting worse at this kennel. They used to be a small resort like facility but are now expanding and growing - and losing focus on what's important - the animals. They actually sent our dog home with someone else who came to pick up their dog (similar breed). When we arrived to pick up our dog (who is like our child), we were given someone else's dog. When we told them that this wasn't our dog, they got nasty and insisted that we didn't know what our own dog looked like. PROS: CONS: If you love your animal - don't take it here! more