Boarding and Daycare Disasters: What to Do If Your Pet Is Injured or Killed in Someone Else’s Care
You dropped your animal off with people who promised they’d treat them like family. You paid for safety, for supervision, for peace of mind. Instead, your pet came home injured. Or worse, they didn’t come home at all.
This happens more often than people think. Sometimes it’s carelessness. Sometimes it’s greed. Sometimes it’s outright neglect.
Here’s what to do if your animal is harmed while in someone else’s care.
Common Failures We See
Most facilities are not regulated. Many operate without licensing. Staff are underpaid and untrained. Cameras break. Records disappear. And waivers — the kind you signed at drop-off, are written to protect the business, not your animal.
The most common types of boarding or daycare negligence include:
Dogs left unsupervised in group play, leading to fights and injuries
Animals confined in hot vans, outdoor kennels, or crates without water
Medication errors, including skipped doses or incorrect drugs
Lack of emergency protocols or delay in seeking vet care
Deaths during grooming or sedation procedures
Untrained or overwhelmed staff misreading behavior cues
Failure to separate animals based on size, temperament, or illness
These are not accidents. They are predictable failures that could have been prevented.
Do You Have Legal Standing? Yes, if You Act Quickly
If your pet is injured or killed:
Request incident reports immediately. Do this in writing. Ask for all internal documentation.
Get veterinary documentation. Take your pet to a vet for a full exam, even if the injury seems minor.
Take photos. Injuries heal fast. You need proof.
Document everything. Include drop-off and pickup times, staff names, and what was promised versus what occurred.
Preserve your agreement. Get a copy of the waiver or boarding contract you signed.
Do not accept settlement offers. Many facilities will offer a refund, vet reimbursement, or “free future stays” in exchange for silence. Do not sign anything without legal counsel.
If your pet died in care, demand to know:
Time and cause of death
Whether a necropsy was performed
Where the body is
Whether law enforcement or animal control was notified
Whether video footage exists
Can You Sue a Boarding Facility or Daycare?
Yes. While waivers may limit some liability, they do not protect businesses from gross negligence, fraud, or breach of contract.
You may have grounds for a lawsuit if:
The facility failed to follow clearly stated safety procedures
You were promised individualized care and did not receive it
Your pet was injured due to improper staff supervision
Your animal was exposed to a known hazard (aggressive dog, heat risk, illness)
There was a delay or refusal to seek medical attention
The facility falsified records or lied about what happened
Compensation may include:
Veterinary bills
Cost of replacing the animal (for property claim purposes)
Emotional distress (limited, but possible in certain states or egregious cases)
Punitive damages for willful misconduct
How to Avoid This in the Future
Before leaving your pet with anyone:
Ask about staff training, supervision, and overnight protocols
Request a tour. Look for temperature control, cameras, isolation options, and clean facilities
Get clarity on emergency medical procedures and which vet they use
Ask what happens if your pet becomes aggressive or sick
Read every line of the agreement. If they won’t give it to you in advance, walk away
Trust your gut. If a place feels off, it probably is
If your pet was injured or killed in someone else’s care, contact us.