This review is well overdue. We starting taking our dog to Pet Sitting to the Max several years…read moreago. They have a friendly team with low staff turnover. They are also able to trim my vizsla's nails, even though he is pretty resistant and has very quick reflexes. Three years ago, our dog did get bit by another dog and their response was top-notch. They called us immediately, reviewed footage from their security camera to check which dog did the biting, and then informed us that this dog was not invited back to the center. Also, if you ever need to pick up your dog with a child in the car, you can text them to ask them to bring your dog out to the car - super helpful if you don't want to wrangle both your dog and your child at the same time!

Tommy is a cool guy. Makes the whole process really easy. Dogs love their time there tooread more

I can't recommend Laurie's pet sitting (PetsitterGirl) highly enough!…read more I first met Laurie in 2012 when I had two kittens that needed pet sitting. I was traveling for work quite a bit at that time. One of my goals for my cats was that they should be as well adjusted, outgoing, confident and social as they could be. I feel like Laurie has always understood this and I really appreciate that. Laurie has always gone above and beyond to make sure that my cats have fun, eat their food and get the attention they need. When I get home after Laurie has been cat sitting, my cats are excited to see me but they are calm and not stressed. When my cats were younger, one of them broke his leg and needed knee surgery. (I guess he was a little too confident!) Laurie ensured he still received petting and played within his abilities even though he had to be confined to a large crate to recuperation. This past fall I had my refrigerator replaced. On one of Laurie's visits she arrived to find a hose from behind the refrigerator spewing water at full force! Laurie texted/emailed me right away. Even though I was on a plane and couldn't immediately respond, she took action. By the time my flight landed, the water had been turned off, the water had been mopped and toweled up and the situation was as resolved as it could get until I reached home. I was extremely grateful as we had also just had a new wood floor installed. The water damage could have been very costly. I also want to add a summary of the experience my parents have had. They have an elderly kitty (17 years) who is receiving fluids 3 times per week. When we all went on vacation together, Laurie made sure that my parents' senior cat made it to his vet to get fluids.

This is a review for Jennifer. Our initial get-to-know-you meeting went well, and she was prompt in…read moreemailing me her references. I thought we were all set for going away, but then she emails to say that she's changed her mind -- she's not comfortable with pet sitting for us since our cat is elderly, and she can't be sure about any potential health problems. Jennifer is not bonded and insured, so I understand her position. However, it left us scrambling for other pet sitting options.

I have been a client of Jennifer's for about 6 years now. She is a great pet sitter and you can…read moretell she has a big heart for animals! I have entrusted care of three cats with Jennifer now (one cat has sadly passed but the other two are still young). She usually texts you pictures of your pet(s) when she goes over to take care of them. These pictures give us a lot of reassurance that our pets are in good care. My previous cat needed IV fluid injections and pills so Jennifer was able to do that as well if your pet needs medication. Jennifer will also retrieve mail, water plants etc if you need that. Jennifer is very busy (often going from client to client), so usually it's better to text her rather than call her if you need to get ahold of her!

After seeing the rave reviews on Yelp, we asked Jennifer to petsit oir two cats. Wow...totally…read moreresponsible and caring...she spent an hour at the outset just chatting about our cats and getting instructions (including changing the litter, checking mail, turning lights on and off, taking garbage out to the curb and back, etc), and then executed flawlessly. She also called us when we were on vacation when she noticed some ants, and painstakingly cleaned and swept the floors, put down chemicals and kept the place spotless. Very responsible...she called us the day after we returned to make sure we got home ok. Very affordable rates as well. Definitely recommend!

Chelsea & her family took care of my dog, Duckey, really great while we were in Japan for 12 days…read more This was the first time My husband & I left Duckey and travel. Even when we were in Japan, we received phone calls, many pictures and video to show us how he is doing. It sounds like Duckey was stressed out for 1st day & he was not trying to eat or move but Chelsea and her family made sure he eats and drinks. After a couple of day, he got used to the new environment & her family and he was happy to spend time with them. They made us feel comfortable to enjoy our trip. It was a great experience. I really appreciate they provided the excellent care for him.

From the owner: We started our dog sitting/boarding business in 2015 and have cared for over 50 dogs. We now have…read moreour own dog and are less active in taking care of new dogs for now. Our website has an email for contact info and a photo gallery. (updated May 2020)

My husband and I are so grateful we came across Dogs in Harmony and Shanni (shoutout to our friend…read morefor the rec!). We rescued a nervous jindo mix puppy last July who turned out to have several behavioral issues (fear barking at strangers at home/outside, reactivity to dogs, anxiety around dog dad, not engaging on walks) we didn't anticipate, and we were desperate to get some help. Given our pup's tendency to get very nervous, we needed a trainer who understood her needs and was willing to work at her pace. And Shanni was that exact trainer we needed -- she recommended 1:1 training lessons specifically tailored around our dog's threshold, and we learned how to identify body language and types of barks (i.e. fear barking, demand barking). She equipped us with all of the tools to continue working with our dog after our lessons finished. We didn't think leash manners would even be possible, but our dog now is so engaged and attentive on walks! Really could go on and on here, but long story short, if you're looking for a trainer who truly understands your dog's and your needs, equips you with the right tools to continue training beyond lessons, works at your dog's pace, we highly recommend working with Shanni.

Dogs in Harmony saved my sanity and helped me develop a loving relationship with my puppy! I cannot…read morerecommend the entire staff at Dogs at Harmony enough, but especially Shanni and Brenna. As a first-time dog owner raising a puppy by myself, I was completely overwhelmed. The staff has been with me every step of the way, even helping me decide on a Portuguese Water Dog's temperament to best suit my active running lifestyle. My puppy Yumi, now 17 weeks old, has been through Harmony School from 9-12 weeks, which came with 4 group lessons, and 1 private instruction. She's still going to school once a week to help give me some much-needed relief, and I'm hoping to start private lessons soon after my travel plans. Shanni and Brenna were instrumental during those first brutal two weeks with Yumi. I had major puppy blues - stressed about making sure she was okay, stressed about accidents, and desperate to set her up for success. This stress, combined with virtually no sleep (taking Yumi out every 20 minutes when awake and sleeping near her the first few days to soothe her), was a recipe for doubt and regret. I was that pet parent who would call frantically about any diarrhea or accident, text essay-length questions, and send way too many videos and notes about the schedules and patterns I'd observe, obsess over, and worry about. This incredible team met every single concern with patience, understanding, and practical solutions. The first time I dropped Yumi off at school was the first time I'd taken a break in a week - it was much-needed relief that allowed me to reset and find a routine that worked for me. Instead of fighting against her nature and her age (she's just a toddler!), I learned to work with her and celebrate every victory. The resources and support I received have set both Yumi and myself up for success. Yumi has grown into a beautiful, confident, and sweet-natured pup. She's well socialized, sleeps through the night from 10-7am, tries her hardest to not jump when greeting others, and can now be left alone for 3-4 hours at a time, which has been huge. She's still a working dog with tons of energy, but Shanni has guided me through how to tire her out mentally via shaping, soft chews, increasing difficulty in fundamentals, and teaching me how to actually train my dog. Her guidance helped me learn to see Yumi for who she is instead of who I want her to be, and how to debug and break down behaviors to address instead of treating undesired ones as 'issues' (like barking, digging, or jumping on people). It's been such a joy and privilege raising Yumi, but I definitely wouldn't have gotten here without Shanni and her team - the true village supporting my single pet parenthood lifestyle. Their approach is holistic, compassionate, and incredibly effective. Highly recommend for both new and experienced dog owners!

There aren't many trusted rabbit sitters in the area considering the area has far more dog and cat…read moreowners (I get it as we also have a dog and cat ourselves!) Our rabbit is very important to us so I set out to find the best possible pet sitter in the area for peace of mind, that was when I stumbled upon Furry Friends Pet sitting. We boarded our beloved senior rabbit (who is a very sassy bun) for 11 days as we had to leave for an overseas trip. Barbara is very great at communication from the first contact all throughout the duration of rabbit boarding. Questions are specific as in which veggies are most preferred, hay preference, vaccine and vet information. They also provided an enclosure with toys and hidey spots so all we had to do was drop our bun off in a carrier. She would send daily videos and photos along with detailed updates (like how she would lounge all day and snack on her hay and list the veggies she was fed). Barbara shows a lot of experience as she has a variety of veggies as well as regularly cleaning out the water bowl and tidying the enclosure. She would also spend time petting and changing up the toys and tunnels as well. Receiving texts on our bun was something I looked forward to during our trip as I would see how relaxed and comfortable she was! If you are looking for an experienced rabbit sitter in the area, I wouldn't hesitate to inquire here! Thank you so much for watching our bun! Photos below are from Barbara's daily updates.

Just wanted to say that Furry Friends Pet Sitting far exceeded all expectations and they were the…read morebest with our two cats Willow and Weasley. It is always hard for my husband and I to leave our cats when we travel, but what made it easier is knowing they were in the best hands with Barbara and Cassandra. We have unfortunately moved out of town, but you should definitely check them out for your pet sitting needs if you are in their area.

When I used this service: March 1-5 Why I chose Bowser's: I…read moredid 1-2 hours of research: Yelp reviews, calling friends from the dog park/other contacts, etc., and Kim always came highly recommended. Matt from Pawfection told me he refers all his clients to her who are looking for longer pet sitting, and no one has come back disappointed. Overall impression: I cannot speak more highly of Kimberley and Bowser's Buddy Pet Care! She was extremely professional and accommodating and made me feel like part of the Bowser's family from day one! More details: Kimberley is the epitome of professionalism. I really appreciated how she: - validated my sad feelings that I couldn't take him on the trip - had me over the weekend before my trip to see her space and meet the other dogs she was currently taking care of - was in constant contact about times/dates and how my dog Reeses was doing while I was gone - communicated (quickly) with me whenever I sent her a text message or gave her a call - loves my dog like her own (and he loves her back!) Pro-tip: Kim's place is dog HEAVEN. Very dog-friendly and lots of things to keep them entertained and comfortable: doggy door, fenced-in grassy yard, orthopedic beds, etc. etc. She doesn't give discounts, but it's totally worth the price, and that's coming from a med student in tons of debt currently!

I have so many selfish reasons to not share this review and make Kim even more busy than she…read morealready is. But my goodness! She is a miracle worker. She took our sweet, shy, overly anxious little pup and made him feel at home within a short son of three weeks (2-3 times exposure for day care) before we let him stay overnight. She has been a godsend and I know that I can rest easy when our little fur baby is in her good hands.

It's hard to believe it's been six years since Teddy first started going to Lucky Buddies! We joke…read morethat we're one of the "OGs" because we've been with Yesi since the very beginning--back when she was caring for pups through Rover, long before Lucky Buddies grew into the incredible daycare it is today. Watching Lucky Buddies grow has been such a joy, but what amazes me most is that their heart has never changed. Even as they've expanded, every dog is still treated like family. Teddy has been loved, cared for, and celebrated every step of the way, and there isn't a single person on the Lucky Buddies team that I wouldn't trust with him. They've truly become part of our village. From daycare and baths to transportation, check-ins, and walks, they've made life so much easier over the years. But beyond the services, it's the peace of mind that means the most. I never have to wonder if Teddy is safe, loved, or happy--I know he is. As I prepare to move away, one of the hardest things to leave behind is Lucky Buddies. I honestly don't know how I'll ever find another place like them. They've set the standard for what exceptional dog care looks like, and I will forever be grateful for the love they've poured into Teddy over the past six years. Thank you, Yesi, and the entire Lucky Buddies team, for loving Teddy as if he were your own. It truly takes a village to raise a pup, and I don't know how I would've done these last six years without ours.

I would strongly caution anyone considering Lucky Buddies for cat boarding. We used this facility…read morefor years, but our last two experiences were bad enough that I would never leave my cat here again. The cat boarding area itself has deteriorated significantly. On our recent visits, the room was dirty, visibly soiled, and smelled very unpleasant. For a facility that is supposed to house cats for extended periods, I found the condition of the space unacceptable. More importantly, during my baby's most recent stay, he was severely distressed while being handled by staff. When they attempted to put him into his carrier/bag, he defecated on himself and was returned to us covered in feces and visibly shaking. This was incredibly upsetting to witness. Lucky Buddies later apologized and acknowledged that he had been mishandled by their staff. What followed was equally disappointing. Despite repeatedly following up, I did not receive the updates or communication I expected regarding what had happened. While they apologized, there was no meaningful rectification, no clear explanation of what would change, and nothing that gave me confidence that the same thing would not happen to another cat. Poofy is still recovering from what was clearly a very stressful experience. We have noticed behavioral changes since the incident, particularly increased fear around handling outside the home. And now, after acknowledging what happened and apologizing for it, Lucky Buddies has deactivated my account. I find that response extremely troubling. Rather than meaningfully addressing a longtime customer's concern after admitting that their staff mishandled an animal in their care, their apparent response has been to remove the customer. Cats are not small dogs. They require calm environments, clean spaces, patient handling, and staff who understand feline fear and stress. Based on the condition of the cat room during our last visits, the lack of communication despite follow-ups, the handling of Poofy, and the way the complaint was dealt with afterward, I would not recommend Lucky Buddies for cats. We trusted this facility for years. Unfortunately, the standard of care we experienced during our last two visits was completely different from what we had come to expect. I genuinely wish we had stopped using them sooner.

I can't recommend Matt and his team enough. My energetic pup, Riley, loves her daily walks and play…read moredates with Pawfection. Her whole body shakes in excitement and she comes back tired and happy. The team is reliable, friendly, professional, and take wonderful care of Riley. They are experts at what they do and really provide one-of-a-kind service. Thank you to Matt and the team for being so fantastic to Riley and so wonderful to work with.

Amazing service and walkers! My dog is always super happy when they come to pick her up and she's…read moretuckered out by the time she's home. Would definitely recommend them! Very professional and knowledgeable.

Billy Mays here with another fantastic product!…read more Getting a dog in Northern California comes with a host of challenges for two working parents. Who can walk him during the day? Where can we board him when we leave? How will we get him there? All of these questions can be answered with Benji's Backyard. Sure there are services that come and walk for a half hour or so, and we use them too, but who picks up your dog at your home (trustworthy enough to enter with your spare key) and take the pup for a long walk at the beach with other dogs? That's great, but I didn't expect the detailed notes and pictures to verify that your dog wasn't just watched, but cared for. Even if your pre-neutered pup happens to Lothario every four-legged canine regardless of gender. But wait, there's more! What if you're leaving for a few days, and you can't have a house sitter? Benji's will pick up your barker and provide the same service they do for the long morning, notes included. And they bring him home. All of this for a price that I really don't know, The Wife handles that part. I can say during my monthly review of expenditures that it hasn't reached my What The Hell? threshold. So yep, this service earns the 5 stars. Great communication and care with no mistakes.

I needed to update this review because Marie and her band of merry dog walkers has expanded their…read moreservices and gotten even better! 1. They pick up and drop off at your house 2. They do beach hikes (Ft Funston most often, and others) 3. They do day care with enrichment and some training 4. They will wash your dog off before returning your pet home if they got very muddy or filthy 5. They train their dog handlers (who are already amazing) and she continues to get further certifications in various dog therapies, modalities, and techniques 6. They do overnight boarding for regulars including pick up and drop off making your flights/business trips/family trips that much less stressful 7. Your dog will have a wonderful time. Only downside is they probably won't miss you as much, lol. 8. Oh, and the pricing is competitive to all the other Silicon Valley services. You won't find another service that includes pick up and drop off and all day daycare/dog hike for this much. 9. Marie always does the meet and greet intake appointments and all of her handlers are awesome (I've had Jade, JR, David). They're all awesome dog people. 10. Bonded, insured, all the rest of it. They check all their guests vaccinations, health records, and health so you don't have to worry that your pet will pick something up while playing. These guys are a gem.