The Crate Escape
25 N Plains Hwy, Wallingford, CT 06492
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
Required vaccinations: Rabies, Distemper, Bordetella, Canine Influenza, negative fecal exam (6 months)
Policies & Details
Hours & Billing
Cancellation & Deposits
Care & Play
Requirements
Safety & Emergency
Extras
What Reviews Say
292 reviews analyzedThe 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.
People love
Staff shoutouts
Worth noting
Dog fell off grooming table, injured, owner not notified, dog had to be euthanized within 24 hours
โDropped 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
โI 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
โThe 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)
โThey 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)
โThey 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)
โThe person on the phone was very rude and discourteous and unprofessional.โ
Cancellation policy disputes
โTerrible 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
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
Min puppy age
4 months
Pricing
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