AkonaPet Pet Relocation Service
Keelikolani, Kailua Kona, HI

AkonaPet Pet Relocation Service Reviews

2.2 stars based on 22 reviews

Featured Comments:

• T

  Tamilyn Mendiola

  4.0

  Wish I could give 5 stars but a few hiccups: - Communication probably could have been a little better, timely, or reply sooner. I only had one point of contact, Ms. Ruth. I tried to be considerate of maybe their workflow, maybe they can make a follow-up schedule to reply back more timelier. I would just request a better follow-up workflow. Do your part as a customer to make sure you follow-up and ask for statuses if you feel like you're waiting too long. I had to ask for follow-u statuses a few times if I was waiting too long. Friendliness of Ms. Ruth's costumer service and her assistance was still worth everything. Sweet lady. - I bought a medium size crate that I ended up not using and it was non-refundable. Miscommunication on some parts and partially could've been me. In the beginning I didn't mention my dog is an ESA. My understanding from verbal instructions at the time was if my pet is an ESA, I still had to buy a crate and he would be an inflight cabin. Maybe I don't understand inflight cabin. I provided a document mentioning my dog is an ESA, I wish I was told in the beginning I did not need the crate when I was receiving additional instructions for ESA documents. Two weeks before my flight, Ms. Ruth asked if I have already purchased a dog carrier bag, I was confused because I already bought the crate not knowing he can sit with me, and she says he's an ESA and can be in the passenger seat with me so the crate was unnecessary. - Since my dog didn't need a crate I had to buy a dog carrier bag so he can fit under the passenger seat or my lap. I carried the dog carrier bag but he didn't use it at all, which is fine. It's good to have one for safety. My flight had one stop; so two flights he was on my lap because he didn't want to be under the passenger seat. I'm wondering if it was possible for me to have bought a seat ticket for him so it would've been an easier and more comfortable flight and I didn't mind the price. I chose United Airlines so I suggest researching their policy. What I remember being told was United Airlines doesn't allow seat purchases for pets. Unless I was told that because it's probably only allowed for ESA and I didn't bring it up in the beginning. So I wish it was brought up if it was an option when I was being given the ESA instructions. So please research United Airlines policy, maybe passenger seat and lap really are the only option. - I received a cute care package/travel kit with a lei from Akonapet and I just want to mention the red leash. The instructions was to use the leash, DON'T. My dog is 20lbs and the leash doesn't secure properly, it will keep opening. He kept getting loose easily when I was checking in at the airport so I switched to my regular retractable leash. Appreciate the leash thought though and the cute travel kit. Besides the hiccups, I really appreciate this company because I wouldn't have been able to do the difficult parts!! They provided all the required documents and I probably would've missed many if I did this on my own. They kept track of the many required deadlines and they still got them done timely. They made the arrangements with United Airlines for all my stops so my transition from check-in and airports were smooth. Flying to Hawaii a rabies titer was required. They took care of All the important things that really mattered and for those things I am grateful. Thank you Ms. Ruth for our safe travels!!! Suggestions for future customers: - It's okay to do your part on asking for statuses if you feel like you haven't heard anything in a while. Communicate effectively and respectfully, I received great help in return. - If your pet is an ESA or not, check the policy of the airline you are flying if you can buy a seat, if pet has to be under passenger seat or lap, or luggages cabin. Research if crate is the only option if pet is not ESA, or dog carrier bag can be used for both ESA and non-ESA pets. What ever your situation is, ask questions and research for you and your pets needs to avoid my hiccups in this situation.

• A

  Alison Cahill

  1.0

  Please read and believe the reviews. Working with Ruth was a painful experience; she made the entire process stressful; she is dishonest, disorganized and rude; and she has zero accountability for the mistakes made on her/the company's end. My advice would be to work directly with your vet (if you have a good one -- they know how this process works) and/or use another pet service (I’ve heard and read good things about Island Pet Movers). And if you need support with an inter-island transfer/layover, consider flying with the pets yourself or pay to have someone you trust do it. One of our vet techs said they would have gladly flown with the dogs -- having witnessed what we went through with this company -- and that (paying for a ticket and cheap hotel for a couple nights) still would have saved us a lot of money. I’m not big on giving credit to or posting negative reviews (in fact this is the first time I’ve done it) but I really wish I’d done my homework before working with this company, especially for something as emotional and complex as relocating your beloved animals to Hawaii. Our purpose in hiring a company to help with this process was to reduce the stress and complexity involved in this process — but this company, particularly Ruth, only provided the opposite while charging thousands of dollars. It was a nightmare from the start, and I strongly considered cancelling the flight altogether in the 11th hour (and losing $2,000+ dollars). AkonaPet knew we had an urgency to move the dogs and all state quarantine paperwork had been filed through them at that point -- so they had us by the proverbial balls, which meant they could treat the situation and us however they chose (and they did -- and it was a terrible feeling). At 7.5 months pregnant when the dogs finally flew, I was an emotional wreck because of this company's disorganization, dishonesty and negligence. The only positive in the entire situation is that the dogs arrived safely, but in hindsight I know that was possible without all the stress and confusion created by AkonaPet. Do your homework, take the bad reviews to heart (my experience is consistent with the other negative reviews about the company and Ruth) and find another way to move your pets. I can assure you there are better, smoother, more transparent, less stressful and complex ways to make it happen.

  ---

  Response from the owner

  AkonaPet is pleased Ms. Lubert's pets arrived safe and sound and as scheduled despite Ms. Lubert's inability to read and comprehend documents which she signed and follow simple written instructions. Her pets travelled safely and on schedule due to the professional conduct and willingness to go "above and beyond" for the benefit of pets travelling that is always shown by the airline, handler in Honolulu and AkonaPet. Ms. Lubert misrepresents the situation. Ms. Lubert made mistakes in the information provided to AkonaPet regarding name and contact information for the person receiving the pets in Hilo and changed the type and sizes of crates. Ms. Lubert provided less than 12 hours notice of her mistakes, yet AkonaPet came through for her pets.

• E

  Ellie Cummings

  1.0

  Its all a lie. I am on Oahu. I paid a fortune to get my precious fur babies over here. They were supposed to be here on September 25,...Akona Pet sent all of their travel documents, what they passports to the wrong address. Ruth Wyland, blamed everything on us, even though we started our contract in April of 2020. We are here on Oahu. No dogs. Thank you Akona Pet for nothing. We did everything for 8 months to get our dur babies here. Paid every fee. Hawaii agriculture cashed our check. We our out about $1000, thanks to Akona Pet. Our poor dogs have had test after test and so many rabie shots. Still not here. Akona Pet is a horrible business. I will be taking legal action. Not for me, but for the poor defenseless animals that they claim to deliver.

More reviews (2)