Wallingford facilities
๐Ÿ•

The Crate Escape

25 N Plains Hwy, Wallingford, CT 06492

4.7
300 Google reviews
Outdoor yardPool / water playSmall dog areaAccepts puppiesMedication adminGroomingTrainingClimate controlledOnline booking

Overview

The Crate Escape is a 10,000 sq. ft. dog boarding and daycare facility in Wallingford, CT, owned by Chris Ragozzino since 2006. They offer daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services with separate play areas for small and large dogs, outdoor space with kiddie pools, and climate-controlled indoor areas. The facility requires a temperament evaluation, current vaccinations including bordetella and canine influenza, and spay/neuter for dogs over 6 months.

Amenities & Policies

Cage-free
Webcam
Staff overnight
Outdoor yard
Pool / water play
Small dog area
Accepts puppies4+ months
Reactive breeds
Medication admin
Grooming
Training
Climate controlled
Overnight potty breaks
Online booking
Spay/neuter required
Temperament test

Required vaccinations: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, negative fecal exam (6 months)

Policies & Details

Hours & Billing

Drop-off hours:6:30am-7:00am
Checkout time:12pm

Cancellation & Deposits

Cancellation notice:2 days notice
Cancellation penalty:Charged a cancellation fee up to the full amount of all cancelled nights

Care & Play

Group play
Daily updates
Feeding policy:Owner provides food

Requirements

Spay/neuter policy:Required at 6 months
Temperament test fee:$42

Safety & Emergency

Emergency vet protocol:Transport to vet
Emergency vet cost:Owner
Fire safety system

Extras

Multi-dog discount โ€” Discounted rate for second dog
Owner operated

What Reviews Say

292 reviews analyzed

The Crate Escape is overwhelmingly loved by customers, with 90%+ 5-star reviews praising the friendly staff, clean facility, and happy dogs who beg to return. The business excels at customer service and communication, with the owner responding to nearly every review. However, there are serious concerns: a tragic incident where a dog was injured on a grooming table and had to be euthanized within 24 hours without proper notification to owners, and a breed discrimination policy against Pit Bulls that has generated multiple negative reviews. The safety score is notably lower due to these incidents and some complaints about supervision and communication issues when dogs are dismissed from daycare.

Dog happiness
4.9
Cleanliness
4.8
Staff
4.7
Facility
4.7
Drop-off / pickup
4.5
Value
4.3
Communication
4.2
Safety
3.2

People love

Staff kindness and caring(85)Dogs love attending(70)Clean facility(45)Good socialization/behavior improvements(30)Webcam access(25)Owner Chris is caring and involved(20)

Staff shoutouts

Chris(35 mentions)Avery(4 mentions)Lisa(3 mentions)Jay(2 mentions)Sarah(2 mentions)Marissa

Worth noting

Dog fell off grooming table, injured, owner not notified, dog had to be euthanized within 24 hours

โ€œDropped our 15 yr Old dog off at 8am Saturday. Called at 3:20 to see what was happening. 'Oh we thought the groomer called you.' Go to pick him up and he's limping. He 'fell' off the grooming table. Why didn't they call us to say he was injured? By 7:00pm he wouldn't get off his bed and by 6:00 am today we had to carry him to the car so we could drive to the Veterinary hospital. We had to put him down, he was gone by 9:00 am.โ€

Breed discrimination - Pit Bulls and similar breeds denied service

โ€œI called today to find out the requirements for doggy daycare and was told they do not except Pit Bulls. I was told 'Pit Bulls are not excepted because of past experiences.'โ€

Injury to dog from mounting/playing not properly supervised

โ€œThe marks on my nieces dog is from you and staff allowing her to be MOUNTED! Claw marks from other dogs on the belly and inner thighs!!!!!!โ€

Breed discrimination policy(4 mentions)

โ€œThey discriminate against bully breeds. It's unfortunate and disturbing that the business owner would completely deny a breed of dog because of public stigma.โ€

Poor communication about dog behavior/issues(3 mentions)

โ€œThey will blindside you in the middle of a work day to tell you your non-aggressive dog with no issues in the last year of attending, is no longer appropriate for their daycare. They never communicated any issues.โ€

Staff attitude/rudeness(3 mentions)

โ€œThe person on the phone was very rude and discourteous and unprofessional.โ€

Cancellation policy disputes

โ€œTerrible customer service. They take your credit card number and have a 48 hour 'cancellation policy.' If you cancel for whatever reason, they charge you for the missed day.โ€

Owner replies to 98% of reviewsAvg response: 1dprofessional tone95 repeat customers

Top Rated

4.7 stars from 300+ reviews

This facility has earned a Top Rated badge for maintaining a 4.7-star rating across 300 reviews.

At a Glance

Google rating
4.7/ 5
Review score
4.4/ 5
Amenities9 of 14
Reviews300
Repeat customersNumber of reviews that mention returning or being a regular customer.95

Min puppy age

4 months

Pricing

Contact facility for pricing

Is this your business?

Submit a free claim. After approval, manage core listing details from your owner dashboard.

Claim this listing

Other Facilities in Wallingford

๐Ÿ•

Village Pet Spa & Kennel

Wallingford, CT

4.7ยท 190 reviews
GroomingClimate controlled

Contact for pricing

View Details
๐Ÿ•

The Muddy Puppy Holistic Pet Spa

Wallingford, CT

4.6ยท 68 reviews
Grooming

Contact for pricing

View Details
๐Ÿ•

Holiday Pet Lodge

Wallingford, CT

4.7ยท 0 reviews
Climate controlled

Contact for pricing

View Details