The People's Pets - Tucker, Georgia

Mima Kirigoe

Update:
Dear Miss Lavel,

Yes I am an ex employee! My previous review was meant simply as a warning to clients by sharing my personal experiences and opinion about your facilities. Since your ego seems to be more important than the experiences of animals in your care, I feel the need to elaborate on my experiences there.
All the people who commented on your abrasive demeanor were correct. You have no self control concerning your obvious anger issues as observed in person and by your aggressive responses to other negative reviews.
I can assure you I'm much happier not having to constantly clean urine and feces and kill cockroaches for little pay. I also dont have to listen to you constantly yell about your clients. But I do care about animals, therefore I left an honest review of your facility, sharing only my concerns. I promise it's your ego telling you I'm "disgruntled" or "having a difficult time moving forward". How could anyone miss that job lol. I was told that the person I was hired to replace just stopped showing up one day. Good for them. That should have been a red flag to me before I accepted the position.
Out of curiosity, since you're so certain those dogs pictured were happy, are the large dogs "happy" to have feces, urine, and cleaning chemicals flowing openly through the back of their kennels that they sometimes drink from? Are the small dogs "happy" in their 2ft metal boxes that echo the barks of every dog in boarding? Are any of the dogs "happy" they don't get to step foot on grass or see any nature while they are boarding? Would owners be pleased to know I was instructed to give more than one $50+ bath outside with a hose?
You seem pretty convinced these clients would be more concerned about their pet appearing in a blurry picture without their permission than seeing them in a tiny box in a boarding area that is falling apart. I'm sure you're aware I'm not the first to comment on your boarding area or anger issues..
You mentioned that these pictures were Easter weekend (also spring break) of 2024, so that means most of those dogs are there for an entire week. One week, a tiny metal box or a sewage canal in the kennels, and no walking on grass or even a glimpse of outside.
Upon being hired at your establishment I was told that the boarding area needed "some work", so what is the delay?
We care about the animals right? So why can't they have a nice place to stay while they're in your care?
Best wishes and good luck with your repairs. Remember, "every review is taken as a learning experience". Try and not get so upset when people share their personal experiences! 🙂

Original review:
Ghastly conditions for boarding dogs. I have a friend who no longer brings their pet here for any service because I shared these images with them. I think if more people knew the conditions their dogs are kept in here, they would make the same decision.
I'm sure I'll get a lovely response if they can't find a way to get rid of those photos.

Anna

This is a fabulous practice. They are small and independent which I appreciate - these days it can be hard to find a non-corporate owned vet. Dr. Lavell is attentive, understanding, and very knowledgeable. All of the staff from reception to the vet techs are personable and kind. They are great about giving cost estimates and their pricing is fair - again, being independent means it just goes to their practice and not a corporation. I drive out of my way to go here because they’re worth it!

Meg Verner

The vets and techs are all so patient and caring! I brought in a stray cat who'd never been to the vet before, and she freaked out on them, and they reacted so calmly and compassionately and let her "hide" for a while and take her time coming to them. Also highly knowledgeable and explained everything really well to me. And open on weekends? Can't recommend this place highly enough. They really do treat pets like people. ❤️

David Dewald

I took my pets to this practice based on my Pet Assure coverage. I asked their staff if my 25% discount applied and then said it would. Upon arriving at the practice different staff members relayed that the 25% discount would not apply to the boarding or bath.

They instead of honoring the discount relayed that they would not and did not release my pets to me until I paid the full amount without the discount.

After insisting they connect with the team member that agreed to the discount they continued to claim falsely the PetAssure website indicated for consumers that the discount only applied for non medical services. I had to wait at the front of their facility for over forty five minutes for their team to finally still not honor their verbal agreement.

The original estimate they gave me was $160 for boarding plus baths then charged me $290 on arrival. The original $160 would have been reduced. They wouldn’t allow me to leave without paying the whole charge. The employee that helped me today was kind and forthcoming. I’ll dispute this charge and recommend customers not engage this business

You can see in the below response the owner continues to tout falsehoods:

*Pet Assure reached out directly via phone and email based on the People’s Pet’s request and actually asked me to modify or remove this review on their behalf!!

Regardless of Pet Assure saying they do not cover this at this point in time, other animal care clinics have honored this and the real issue for me is that The People’s Pets relayed on the phone and in person (after driving 20 minutes both ways) that they would honor my PetAssure discount for my services, changed this once it was time to pay, harassed me by telephone, then sent the insurance company to call me, email me, and request action on their behalf.

The staff did give great care to my pups though the money and time taken from me will lead me to not return.

Rather than accept that their practice makes its’ own choices they instead try to gaslight customers about their own available coverage at other pet care centers

0625/22

A team member from this practice called me on my cell phone to harass and intimidate me. Please be safe and avoid this business.

Jasmine

We started coming here when our puppy was sick. We love this place, they are very patient with us and answet any questions we may have.

The prices are affordable and they also take Trupanion pet insurance here as well.

Cori Baker

I drive a hour just to have my fur baby groomed at Peoples Pets. I have been coming to Peoples Pets since my fur baby was a newborn. 10/10 RECOMMEND !

leonard cooper

I have three yellow Labs of which I am very protective. I have had them to a few vets around Tucker and Decatur, but never felt quite right. They either want to sell me something or don't do a thorough exam, or the office is usually in disarray.

I had been to People's Pets a number of years ago with a sick dog on Labor Day. Dr. Lavell was there to take care of her.

When I went back with the three new dogs it was like I never left. The office staff was pleasant, friendly and inviting. The vet tech was great! I felt very comfortable with my dogs there.

Dr. Lavell talked with me about them then did a thorough exam. She found some things wrong that I was unaware of and prescribed some medication.

I had one issue that I had seen another vet about. Dr. Lavell's was a more thorough exam and her vast experience gave her insight to the problem. I am now treating the dog with some medication that should help, but if it doesn't Dr. Lavell already has further treatment planned if necessary.

I've had dogs for the last 45 years and have seen some very good vets come and go. I can say without trepidation that The People's Pets is the best vet for my current pack. I am so glad I am back there and I know my dogs are in good hands.

UPDATE

I'm reducing my stars to 3.

I went back with a sick dog. I advised the office of what was happening and made an appointment. I get there and they give me a Rent-A-Vet who has never seen the dog and is unaware of the discussion Dr. Lavell and I had. The office did not advise me that I was going to see a Rent-A-Vet. If they had I would not have gone until Lavell was back from vacationing in St.Croix. My $1100 helped pay for that trip. I had to suggest to the Rent-A-Vet that maybe an anti-inflammatory would help the dogs inflammation.

So I called back to get the heart worm prescriptions faxed to an outside pet pharmacy.for the dogs. "That's against protocol." was the response from the clerk at the desk.

The following vets will fax:
Dearborn
DeKalb
Tucker
Whiteway

The fact is they have their own pet pharmacy and want me to buy from them. The other vets have their own pharmacies but are professional enough to accept the customers request.

The office operation is un-professional and incompetent.

Debra Weber

My pet family has been seen Dr. LAVELL and staff for greater than twenty years. Dr. Lavelle and staff are very caring, compassionate, and professional. They are for french bulldog's second family and home.
Peu loves to go to Pet's if she is ill or for daycare
She is excited to see her, Dr. Lavell's professional staff and family on arrival