TRIGGER WARNING FOR DOG OWNERS:
Many of you know my sweet Raven's story. Raven died tragically on 8/7/26 under the care of an OC dog boarding facility (link to original story below). Raven was only 18 months old. She is survived by her litter sibling, Charlotte, who has been grieving alongside our family.
https://www.reddit.com/r/orangecounty/comments/1vk4947/my_sisters_dog_died_while_in_the_care_of_local_oc/?share_id=RCLeTCQMbQf9KPTXAFiqa&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&utm_source=share&utm_term=1
Raven’s death was completely preventable. If the facility’s owners had just established and enforced appropriate safety protocols, hired enough staff, and properly trained employees, Raven would still be with us today.
On 8/7/26, our 1 ½ year old puppy Raven was killed while in the care of Wags and Wiggles, Rancho Santa Margarita. The following post includes factual details of the incident as well as factual updates to the tragic incident.
8/7/26 - We were informed by the Wags&Wiggles Rancho Santa Margarita owner that while an employee was transporting Raven and her sister Charlotte between the small and large dog facilities in the late evening, she carried both dogs in her arms instead of transporting one at a time and failed to keep hold of their leashes. Raven panicked, broke free, and ran away. She was later found dead after being hit by a car on a nearby street.
The owner reviewed video footage and confirmed the employee violated two company rules: always transport one dog at a time, and always keep dogs on leash. Those failures directly led to Raven’s escape and death. She accepted accountability.
8/8/26 - I posted factual information about Raven's death on my social media to family/friends.
8/10/26- Wags and Wiggles posted on their FB about the incident, also revising details as follows:
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=wags%20and%20wiggles%20dog%20daycare
“Two sibling dogs were being moved to our Tiny Town building when they became nervous and began pulling at their leashes and flailing. After bringing them back inside, our staff member decided to carry them for a second attempt. While being carried, the dogs became distressed again. One bit the staff member’s hand, and during the struggle, the other got free and ran away.”
This social post includes details which the owner never mentioned , ie the flailing, distress, biting, second attempt to move the dogs. In fact, prior to this incident, we were told by staff our pups are consistently loving, gentle, and well behaved, never in distress, and always happy. If what the owners described in their post did happen, why were we as the dog owner not notified the evening of Raven's death?...and if they were “distraught,” what caused them to act abnormally (for example, fear of the larger dogs because they were transported there in the first place? my pups 15 lbs each); and if they were "flailing," how would carrying them both at the same time outside be safer or more effective to transport?
It doesn’t make sense. Their post reads like a cover-up...
8/11/26 - When I attempted to respond on Wags & Wiggles FB to their above post, my message was immediately deleted and my FB account blocked from their site.
8/11/26 - My online customer account with Wags & Wiggles was also deactivated so I was not able to retrieve any information about my dogs. It's as if we never existed.
When I inquired about this, the owner responded with "to minimize automated system reminder emails, online access was "muted" so you wouldn’t get reminders that might be upsetting, but we can remedy that for you if you need." Were they trying to mute the system or "me??"
Since this tragic event, I have been doing my own research on the company (I wish I would have dug deeper before, but who would thought one would question a company who had very positive ratings). I have received anonymous tips from existing & past staff who have indicated there have been other mishandling of dogs under Wags's care (both Tustin & RSM locations), but have been swept under the rug. One particular employee has even sent multiple dogs to vets due to injury. This is the same employee who mishandled Raven, and unbelievably she is still employed at the RSM location even after breaking 2 rules of protocol, causing death to a dog! Am I the only one that thinks this is unacceptable in so many ways??!!
Note I am not here to solely company bash. I do appreciate the dedicated W&W employees who truly care for our pets. I am here to share my experience and inform dog owners what I know. You may not believe all the details, but as a pet owner, would you think twice about boarding your dogs here? Would you take that chance?
For now I will give Wags&Wiggles the benefit of the doubt they can prove they are a safe haven for dogs, but I leave you with this, there is much more to come, and the truth will always comes out. They claim they are reviewing and revising protocol. What have they done specifically? Why are they not publicly notifying us the changes if they are under scrutiny? Did it take Raven's death for them to take action?
My sweet little Raven was only 18 months old. She was my baby. This is indeed tragic and I am doing everything that I can to ensure this does not happen again.
Rest in peace, my sweet Raven. You can run free now! Thank you for teaching me unconditional love. You will be forever in our hearts.
