Destination Pet, the Highlands Ranch, Colorado-based veterinary and pet care company, has been named in a run of lawsuits and labor complaints since 2023, spanning California wage-and-hour claims, a Colorado sex discrimination suit, a trade-secret dispute brought by pet insurer Trupanion, a North Carolina contract fight, and an unfair labor practice charge in Michigan. Several matters have settled. Others are still open.
California Wage and Hour Cases
The largest resolved matter is Gonzales v. Destination Pet of California, Inc., filed in Orange County Superior Court in July 2023 under California’s Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). A second case, Cohen v. Destination Pet, was consolidated with it. The combined action covered 375 aggrieved employees and more than 7,800 PAGA pay periods.1CABIA. Gonzales v. Destination Pet of California, Inc., et al. (Consolidated With Cohen v. Destination Pet)
In March 2025, the parties reached a gross settlement of $1,060,000. The allocation included $371,000 in attorney fees, $35,000 in litigation expenses, $60,000 in PAGA penalties, $15,000 in plaintiff awards, and $10,500 for administration.1CABIA. Gonzales v. Destination Pet of California, Inc., et al. (Consolidated With Cohen v. Destination Pet) Public records do not detail the underlying wage allegations.
A newer California labor case is Cortes Alzate v. Destination Pet, LLC et al. Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court and removed to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California on June 15, 2026, it names Destination Pet and a co-defendant called Rover Kennels. The docket categorizes it as “Other Labor Litigation” and includes an answer to a class action complaint. A corporate disclosure filed during removal identifies Destination Pet Holdings, LLC as the parent, with L1 Pet Holdings (USA), LLC and L1 Pet S.a.r.l. as its sole members.2PACER Monitor. Cortes Alzate v. Destination Pet, LLC et al The case remained pending as of mid-June 2026.
Mayoros v. Destination Pet: Colorado Discrimination Suit
Agata Kristina Mayoros filed a sex discrimination lawsuit against Destination Pet in the U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado on September 2, 2025. The case was assigned to District Judge Gordon P. Gallagher, and Mayoros demanded a jury trial.3CourtListener. Mayoros v. Destination Pet, LLC
The court entered a scheduling order in November 2025 and a protective order in December 2025. In late April 2026, a motion to withdraw as attorney was filed and granted; that was the most recent docket entry as of that date, and the case remains open.3CourtListener. Mayoros v. Destination Pet, LLC
Trupanion Trade Secret Suit
Seattle pet insurer Trupanion sued Destination Pet, several affiliated entities, and three individuals: Roy Stein, William Rebozo, and Robert Christensen. Trupanion alleged that a founder of a pet care app it had acquired stole trade secrets and violated contractual agreements after joining Destination Pet.4Scribd. Trupanion Sues Entrepreneur Over Trade Secrets After It Acquired His Pet Care App
The case was settled and dismissed on March 28, 2025. Destination Pet said in a press release that neither the company nor the individual defendants acknowledged any liability or wrongdoing. Financial terms were not disclosed.5Yahoo Finance. Destination Pet Resolves Ongoing Legal Dispute With Trupanion
Paws 4 Fun Contract Dispute
Paws 4 Fun, LLC sued Destination Pet in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina in August 2023, alleging breach of an asset purchase agreement. Destination Pet countersued in May 2024, adding claims against Paws 4 Fun and the 2019 Irrevocable Trust for Anna Spove and Kimberley B. Vaughn. The counterclaims referenced inspection reports and schedules tied to compliance with law, the condition of business assets, and representations about pending litigation.6CourtListener. Paws 4 Fun LLC v. Destination Pet LLC
The court ordered mediation in July 2024. After active summary judgment filings in early 2025, the parties reported a settlement on May 29, 2025, and filed a stipulation of dismissal on June 26, 2025. Terms were not made public.6CourtListener. Paws 4 Fun LLC v. Destination Pet LLC
NLRB Charge in Trenton, Michigan
On December 13, 2024, an individual employee at Destination Pet’s Trenton, Michigan facility filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, case number 07-CA-356770. The charge alleged that Destination Pet violated Section 8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act through retaliation, discharge, or discipline tied to concerted employee activity. The charging party was represented by Lowrey Parady Lebsack LLC.7NLRB. Case 07-CA-356770
The case never went to a hearing. On March 3, 2026, the NLRB General Counsel approved a withdrawal request and closed the charge. A withdrawal can reflect a private resolution or a decision by the charging party not to proceed; no public details about the underlying incident have been reported.7NLRB. Case 07-CA-356770
Barber v. Destination Pet
Barber v. Destination Pet, LLC (3:25-cv-02390) was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. The public docket does not detail the specific claims. The most recent entry, dated January 15, 2026, was a court order on a motion to dismiss, following a dismissal filing the day before.8CourtListener. Barber v. Destination Pet LLC
Employee Complaints Behind the Cases
The litigation runs alongside a pattern of public employee complaints. Reviews on Indeed from workers across multiple Destination Pet locations describe chronic understaffing and heavy workloads. Former employees have reported being placed in situations they considered dangerous for staff and animals, and several reviews cite “extremely high turnover,” including what some described as mass firings during busy seasons.9Indeed. Destination Pet, LLC Reviews
Reviews characterize company leadership as “out of touch” and focused on profit over care. One reviewer said senior leadership turnover produces a “new crisis” roughly every quarter, with constant policy restructuring that leaves frontline staff scrambling.10Indeed. Destination Pet, LLC Review Pay is another common grievance, with employees reporting raises of “a few cents once a year.”9Indeed. Destination Pet, LLC Reviews