SEATTLE — Former clients of a now-closed doggy daycare business in Seattle are celebrating.
They said Public Health – Seattle King County listened to their calls for more transparency surrounding daycares that are under investigation.
One of the former clients leading the charge for change is Allison Scarborough. Scarborough lost one of her dogs following a fire at the Dog Resort SODO last November. Georgie was hit and killed by a car after she escaped the facility when the fire occurred. Scarborough’s other dog, Remi, was missing for several days and was found badly hurt after falling off an overpass.
“It was very apparent when I first got her back the first month or so she was very quiet,” Scarborough said.
Georgie was one of the dogs that escaped and was killed. Another dog named North did not survive.
“She was the perfect dog for me and she was so sweet and brought so much good in my life," Scarborough said about Georgie, who she rescued from Taiwan. "So she's truly irreplaceable."
Scarborough took her dogs to the Dog Resort for boarding only a handful of times.
A KING 5 investigation found through government records, the Dog Resort had a history of serious trouble: complaints, unsatisfactory inspections, and warnings about animal cruelty.
Scarborough had no idea Public Health – Seattle King County suspended the Dog Resort’s permit to operate prior to the fire.
“I just didn't even know it was possible that a facility could have so many warnings for unsafe conditions, animal cruelty, Georgie was only one of three dogs killed in 2023,” Scarborough said.
Now, more transparency is coming online for dog owners. Public Health – Seattle King County will share a list of which dog daycare businesses have active permits, suspended permits and instructions for pet owners to learn more about inspections at these businesses.
“We can confirm that Public Health plans on providing additional information on our Pet business regulations and permits webpage to provide additional information to the public, including any active permit suspensions," a spokesperson said in an email. "We anticipate those updates to the website in Q2 of this year."
‘I am really excited and grateful Health Services is hearing us and actively working on improvements to help empower consumers and provide transparency into these businesses,” Scarborough said.
Scarborough hopes more transparency will help dog owners make the best decision for themselves and for their pets like Remi.
“I just want to make sure no one else has to feel this way," Scarborough said. "And no animal has to feel that way."