Royal Pet Haven

I boarded my cat here recently, and I am rather displeased. My cat stayed for ten days, and I requested she receive a bath the day of pick up. I chose RPH because it was nearby with decent reviews and not too highly priced. I even went and looked at the place before booking. Their website boasted to take a tour, so I did on a whim. A woman who I presume was the owner showed me around, and she seemed very friendly and compassionate toward the animals. However, I’m wondering how great of attention was really paid to my cat, and if I should have opted to pay more for better service.
Upon drop off, the young woman was pretty rude. She acted as if I was inconveniencing her the entire time for no reason. I explained it was my cat’s first time being boarded, and she quickly dismissed me, saying she’d be fine. I provided a small bag with a blanket, a couple toys, her wet food, and a bag of treats, along with a tub of dry food. In the bag, I included a feeding schedule, which I also explained to the woman. Nothing complicated – free dry feed, and a little wet food every other day starting in a couple days, giving my cat some time to adjust to the change. I told her a little treats here or there, if someone feels like it when they are in to check on the cats. I signed off on the papers and then asked if I could say bye to her. I was told no due to another cat in the room. I understood that, but she just then whisked her away in a hurry, acting like I was again inconveniencing.
Upon pick up, another woman helped me, who was very friendly and kind. She was chatty and told me my cat had been a fine guest. I paid my bill, despite being a little taken aback by a $ 50 charge for a bath. I felt for a simple bath that was a little pricey, especially considering the lengthy stay. Nevertheless, I was handed my bag, my tub of food, and my cat, and I went on my merry way.
When I got home, my cat seemed very, very happy to be home, to see me, and to see windows. At first, I thought nothing of it. It’s a big change, and cats can be finicky. Yet, in the returned bag, I discovered she had not been fed any wet food or treats. They, with the schedule, were completely untouched. I then realized the bag entirely seemed untouched. The blanket folded as I remembered and everything.
It almost seems like the initial employee just tossed our stuff in there and threw my cat in the cage without much thought. No wonder she was so happy to be home. I don’t expect much one on one time or for them to constantly be checking on them and giving her an entire bag of treats. But I do expect them to follow the feeding schedule I provide and make her feel remotely comfortable.
Furthermore, my cat didn’t really seem to be bathed??? She isn’t dirty, but she doesn’t really feel or smell any different than when I dropped her off, just like her usual self.
Ultimately, she didn’t come back obviously mistreated, dirty, or anything. But I do feel like this wasn’t the best experience, and I’m a bit unhappy. I’m not going to book again for an upcoming trip.

I brought Daisymae to Royal Pet Haven for the first time this past week. The reception area was very clean and the owner was great in the way she approached my shy Daisymae. Heidi was her groomer and she did a wonderful job. They were very good in handling Daisymae as she is a very shy and unsure around people.

I can’t say enough good things about the Royal Pet Haven. Our dog stayed here for two weeks over the holidays and as soon as we arrived she peed blood on the floor. The owner Mariam was so understanding and knowing that our flight left in a couple hours offered to take Nena to the vet herself. It was such a relief to leave knowing that Nena was being cared for so lovingly. Not only did she take her to the vet that day and fill the prescription, but when the blood didn’t clear up quickly she took her back again, sent is regular, detailed email updates about potential next steps. And her staff completely showered Nena with love – taking her outside every 30 minutes when they realized that it was painful for Nena to wait much longer. In the end, I think they might have taken better care of Nena than we would have in that situation. I couldn’t be more grateful to Mariam and her team and couldn’t recommend them more highly!

When we lived in Alexandria, we took our dog here for grooming and boarding. They were easy to make appointments with — even last minute. My dog always seemed excited to trot back with them to the kennel area.
Before I boarded him there, I made a separate appointment for a tour, and they showed me the kennel area and told me what to expect. They were very forthright.
They always said that he loved his playtime — each dog gets individual play time, which is a great relief. Each dog is walked several times a day — and honestly, you really couldn’t beat everything you received for the price.
I agree with some of the other positive reviewers — my dog went in happy, came out happy.
–NOTE– The last time we used this place was in 2013. I can’t vouch for current employees or management. In 2012 – 2013, they were great. If we had continued to live in Alexandria, I would have continued to utilize their services.

I absolutely love Royal Pet kennel! We have been taking our dog, Keira, there for over a year now and I am so relieved to have somewhere to leave her where I can rest at ease. Keira is scared of people so its been near impossible to leave her anywhere. However she *loves* everyone at royal pet kennel, its just amazing. She even sings her ‘happy song’ when we are pulling into the parking lot.
They have gone above and beyond so I felt the need to leave a review. They understand her fear issues and make her feel safe. She doesn’t normally eat when we are away, so they are willing to mix wet food in to her food each day. She is able to have her own bed and toys in the run. They take the dogs for several walks each day. The owner even remembered what kind of bones she likes best.
I highly recommend Royal, they have reasonable rates and good facilities and most importantly they are clearly dog lovers.

We have been boarding our yellow lab here for the past two years, he goes for a few days at a time about every 8 weeks or so. He always seems to be well taken care of when we pick him up and the staff have been great. I would recommend them. The only part I don’t like is that if your dog is there any part of a calendar day you pay for the day. A lot of places have a pick up by and or drop off after time that allows you to not pay for that day or allows for a partial charge. If that is your only «complaint» about a kennel then it is a good place in my book.

I don’t frequently write reviews but I just had to on this one. I’ve been using Royal Pet Kennel on and off for the last 4 years. Up until recently, they did an alright job. My dogs seemed happy enough, they came home a little smelly, the rates were good, and the staff was pleasant. All in all, would have given it 3 stars.
With the new ownership, 1 star is the highest I can go. When I picked up my dogs, they were matted with dog poop and smelled HORRIBLE. One of my dogs was vomiting for 3 days afterward. When I called and asked about the vomiting, they said they didn’t have any record of that happening. I bought a bag of their regular dog food and instructed them to give 1 cup morning and 1 cup at night for each dog. I bought a 35 pound bag and it was almost empty after only 4 days! Either they were overfeeding my dogs or giving it out to others. Either way it is unacceptable. When I asked about the feeding schedule, they said «6:30 AM and then sometime after 3, whenever they get around to it.» So glad you can be inconvenienced by feeding the dogs in your charge.
I’m sorry, after many years I just can’t bring my dog here anymore. I’d recommend you stay away as well.

«This place is under a new owner and I can’t say anything but great things! Tati King has been taking care of my babies since puppies and he is the BEST. I’d would leave them with my eyes closed. The facilities are very clean and the staff is great. Pay no mind to the negative feedbacks as this place „Royal Pet Haven“ is under new staff»

I have been leaving my dog here for 11 years. I have not experienced anything close to the negative reviews. My dog always goes in and comes out happy. Because of my demanding schedule, I’m forced to kennel him normally at least one weekend a month.
I must say that these negative reviews caused a concern for me but as I read thru them I found that not once has my dog nor I been treated as the negative reviews indicate. In the past 4 months, the service has been even better! Genuine staff, who know my dog when he comes in.
It is a bit pricier then other kennels but based on my dogs behavior, I could not imagine taking him elsewhere.

We have left our two mini schnauzers with them three times in the last couple months. The kennel was recommended by some friends and the service has been always great. The dogs are always happy to stay and they are always happy when we pick them up. I really like the facilities, which were clean on all three visits. The groomer has also done a good job with the schnauzer cut. The babies are very important for us and we have find a great place to take care of them when we have to leave the city. Special recognition to Tati for always take good care of Lola, she is a though cookie!!!

My dog Roxie loves the place, she sits still until we pull into the parking lot and then she gets excited. I can pretty much let her and and she walks herself to the door. She always has a good time and is worn out when I pick her up they make sure she gets good exercise. Great people and good environment they definitely put Roxie’s best interest at heart and have good knowledge about dogs.

I have boarded my dogs here many times. I believe the owners have changed as the people there were not any people I know from previous visits. When I picked up my dogs a child no older than 11 said I got them and ran in the back to get my dog. I was not advised my dog had been vomiting, I discover this when I got home and he vomited on the sidewalk, I went to put the blankets in the wash that had gone to the kennel and they had vomit on them and smelled like urine. I paid for my dogs to be groomed and my dog did not even look like he was brushed as I got a handful of fur from simply petting him hello. Needless to say we won’t be going back!!!

We have left our two beagles with them about 6 time over the past 2 years and we have always been extremely happy with their service. We have used the «play group» type kennels in the past and our dogs come home exhausted and even hurt. In those type kennels there is never a chance to get a break during the day and just relax so when we moved to VA we looked high and low for a true kennel that would keep our babies safe and wouldn’t cost an arm and a leg. When I took a tour of their facility in the middle of summer is was climate controlled, didn’t smell bad and everyone was really nice. We have left our dogs over night and even used them for a day sitting once while I hosted a baby shower. We actually got stuck in traffic on our way to get them and a really nice employee actually stayed there a little past closing just so we could still pick them up that night. I have read other reviews and have never experienced anything like theirs. We pay when we pick up, the quote we get is the price we pay and the dogs have never come home dirty. Our dogs are part of our family and I would never leave them anywhere I thought they weren’t safe.

I’m writing this in response to a horrible review I read on here regarding the payment of cash for a vet records waiver, etc. I’ve brought my dog to Royal Pet Kennel at least six times, and have always had excellent service. The one time someone wasn’t at the front desk, a person arrived within two minutes of my arrival. The kennel is clean, well organized, but more importantly, the people who work there seem to genuinely care about my dog. Buddy has some pretty severe anxiety around men, and has a very strong attachment to me and my husband, so when I brought him in last time and he ran to the man who would bring him to the back without a second glance at me, I knew I was making the right decision. I’ve had him groomed once or twice, and he always comes back as I would expect from that, but even when I don’t have him groomed he comes back clean, never «covered in his own filth.» The few times I have kenneled Buddy at another place, when I’ve picked him up, he was hoarse from barking, that’s not been an issue once at Royal Pet Kennel. In fact, every other kennel I’ve used for him, it seemed to take him a few days to get back to his old self once we got back home, he just bounces right back into the swing of things every time I’ve brought him home from Royal. The people that work there LIKE animals, they care about their well being, and I’m happy to leave Buddy there when I have to.
some things I love — 1– They feed him his own food, so he doesn’t have any digestion issues. He doesn’t eat much when he’s not home, so it’s not abnormal to get most of it back, but they always tell me if it got out of hand. 2– I bring his bed, and it always comes back just as clean as I left it, and doesn’t have any weird smells. 3– The owner or the manager will talk to you about the well-​being of your dog, and let you know why they have some of their policies in place.

I boarded my dog (Dugan) at Royal Pet Kennel for 6 days this past week. I had a bad experience at another boarder on Telegraph Road, so decided the check out Royal. My neighbors had good experiences, and they are very picky, so I thought it would be good for me since I am picky about my dog’s care also.
Got to say, I was apprehensive at first, because they are not a national organization with a recognized name and a rather small place. BUT, I think they did a fantastic job. I say this because my dog is usually all strung out, nervous and seemingly has not eaten or slept the entire time when I left him at the other place. I picked him up after six days at Royal, and he was in such a good mood, happy, and I could tell that he had slept, eaten and otherwise been treated great…
I know, it sounds odd, but I think he actually had a good time. He has this bone that he only chews on when he is content. I bought a new one when I left him at Royal to see if he would chew on it, and he did. I live across the street and had been stopping in unexpectedly, touring the facility, and talking to people who dropped off pets.
All in all, I am so pleased with Royal and will be back.
Tom Killam

We have been using this place for 10 years now. We started using them because we were younger and could not afford the boarding prices in DC. We found Royal and haven’t gone anywhere else since. Even though we could probably afford the DC rates now, we keep using Royal because we know she’s going to be safe and happy with there. We go out of town around 10 times a year and they always take great care of my dog. She loves the place too. We have never had any problems with the care provided, the price or the staff. This is a well run facility and it is clear the staff really love the animals. They know my dog by name and always take good care of her.
Also, they do offer tours of their facility. If you are unsure, I recommend taking the time to go in, meet the staff and look the place over.
I can’t recommend them highly enough.

While traveling back home I brought my two dogs to this kennel. A friend told me great things about this place. The owners are very nice and care for your pets as if they were their own. Looking forward to trips in future with a safe warm caring place for my pets!

I have boarded my dogs on 4 – 5 occasions and continue to. The staff is always friendly, and I believe the dogs are well cared for. My dogs appear behave like they do whenever I have board them — happy to see me. It is normal for some dogs not to eat or poo when they are away from home. My dogs do not eat as much or poo when we travel together or they are boarded.
I particularly appreciate how patient and flexible the kennel with request for boarding on a short-​notice, and extended stays when my work forces me to stay away longer than planned.

I am surprised by the number of poor reviews. Then again, it’s been about two years since we last used the kennel. We now live in an apartment building that provides complimentary petsitting.
Overall, I was satisfied with the kennel. We left our two cats here on at least three different occasions. The staff is friendly and seemed to take good care of our spoiled boys. While the cats were at the kennel, I would routinely call just to check in. The staff was always responsive and honest.
The cats never appeared traumatized or dirty after their stay, clear indications that they were taken care of properly. I would definitely recommend the kennel for cats.

It is not acceptable when my dog comes home crusty with dried urine. Since I rescued him two years ago, my dog has never had an «accident» indoors — and especially not in his crate (about the same size as their «runs»). He is boarded several times a year and has never had a problem adjusting to the new surroundings.
The worker’s comment was that his water bowl must have spilled. If the worker doesn’t know the difference between water and urine, they probably should not be caring for a living being. If there was an accident, they should be honest and explain the circumstances. But it is simply wrong to either ignore the issue or try to cover it up.
Most importantly, I’m concerned about the care my dog received. I didn’t expect much, but certainly not that he would be forced to sit in his own urine. Now I’m concerned that I was paying $ 30/​day for my pet to lie in his own waste. And now he needs to be bathed since the concentrated urine smell is too offensive.
With all the options in Alexandria — look elsewhere!