Leaving pets behind while going on vacation is never easy for owners, which is why many choose to hire professionals they trust. That’s what a New York woman did before heading out of town with her family. She hired a pet caregiver through Wag, a service she had used before without any issues, so she felt confident her animals would be well cared for.
Unfortunately, that trust was misplaced. According to the woman, the caregiver failed her pets so badly that she was forced to cut her vacation short and rush home. In a video documenting her experience, she showed how visibly distressed her dog was after being left in the caregiver’s care.
She claimed the caregiver left the dog alone for extended periods, didn’t feed it properly, and failed to take it on walks. The situation was just as concerning for the family’s two cats, who were allegedly left confined in filthy cages that had not been cleaned.
The experience left the woman devastated and angry, saying she never imagined a professional caregiver would neglect her animals in such a severe way.
The New York woman later shared that the neglect of her pets wasn’t the only issue she discovered after returning home. According to her, the caregiver also left her kitchen completely trashed. She showed footage of a strange, grimy substance covering surfaces from the ceiling down to the floor. Even the family’s clothes were ruined. They were found piled together, dirty, damaged, and clearly worn.
She also claimed that several household items, including pet bowls, were missing. After reviewing security footage, the woman said she had evidence showing the caregiver leaving the house wearing multiple layers of the family’s clothing. In her view, the situation went far beyond neglect and crossed into theft. One of the most alarming details, she added, was that the caregiver allegedly failed to take the family’s dog outside for more than 24 hours.
In the video, she went on to reference Wag’s stated terms and policies, explaining that the company claims to thoroughly vet caregivers and cover damages caused during services. “Our pets could have died,” she said, describing the experience as deeply traumatic for both the animals and her family. She explained that she shared the video to warn other pet owners about her experience with the platform.
According to the woman, her family contacted Wag seeking reimbursement for the damage to their home, as outlined in the company’s policy. She claimed the company declined the request despite those stated protections.
In a follow-up video posted on Instagram, the woman provided an update. She said her veterinarian confirmed that the dog and two cats have since fully recovered. She also explained why the situation was so shocking. The family had previously used the same caregiver without any issues, and the individual had around 50 positive reviews. That history is what made them feel comfortable hiring the caregiver again.
She also alleged that the caregiver attempted to deceive them by sending an old photo that made it appear the dog was being walked. Shortly after, the caregiver ended the service from their end. The woman believes this happened because the caregiver realized they were about to be discovered. As a result, the family had to book an emergency flight home, which she believes should also be reimbursed.
In a later update, the woman shared disappointing news. She said Wag eventually reached out and offered to cover the damages, but only if she agreed to take down her video. She refused. According to her, the company showed no accountability and did not offer an apology.
Despite everything, she said she hopes sharing her experience will push the company to improve its practices so no other animals are put at risk. She also expressed hope that her family will eventually be fully compensated for what they endured.
People Reacting to the New York Woman’s Video
Many viewers were left furious after watching the New York woman’s video. People were outraged by what happened to her pets and the condition her home was left in. “You need to sue the individual and Wag. This is not acceptable,” one person wrote. Another commenter added, “People need to stop using Rover and Wag.”
At the same time, some caregivers spoke up to distance themselves from what happened. One woman who said she works for Wag commented, “I’m actually on Wag, and it breaks my heart to see this because not all caregivers are bad. I’d literally jump in front of a moving car to protect the goodest boy I walk.”
Another dog sitter echoed that sentiment, writing, “I’m a dogsitter as a side hustle, and this is absolutely astonishing. My clients NEVER have to worry about anything. This sickens me.”
The reactions showed widespread anger over the incident, while also highlighting that many professional pet sitters were just as disturbed by the situation and wanted to make it clear that this behavior does not represent everyone in the industry.
Several people also offered advice to the New York woman on how to avoid a situation like this in the future. One commenter shared a detailed suggestion based on personal experience. “I am SO sorry you are experiencing this. As someone who has used Rover as a sitter and as a pet owner, use sitters with multiple verified stays and great reviews, don’t try to be cheap, never go off the app until you truly trust and know a sitter (I learned that the hard way). Test the sitter out for an afternoon until you trust them. I’ve tried to find two in each city I’ve lived in over the past decade so there’s almost always someone available,” they wrote.
Another person highlighted the importance of home security, adding, “Another important lesson here: always have camera security throughout your home, especially when you have strangers coming in and out.”
Many agreed that no amount of advice could undo what happened and that the situation should never have occurred in the first place.
