My long-time pet boarder retired and I needed to find someone to mind my beloved cat Skylar. Thankfully I found Pam and Critter Pet Care in Oakland. I was impressed with their website and reviews from other pet owners. Pam was great. She sent me updates and videos while I was out of town and it was very reassuring to know that Skylar was doing well. When I got back, Pam let me know that she found out that Skylar doesn't like other cats. She's an only cat so I had no idea. Happily, this will not present a problem for future visits since Pam told me that Critter Pet Care has provisions for cats who prefer to be by themselves. I will definitely recommend Critter Pet Care to anyone looking for someone to mind their furry family members. read more

Dear Pam and the entire Critter Pet Care team, Thank you so much for taking such wonderful care of our family kitty, Dr. Robinson, during his stay. We truly appreciated the regular updates and loved seeing photos of him enjoying himself it gave us so much peace of mind while we were away. Our family had been searching for the right cat boarding facility for quite some time, and after reading the excellent reviews for Critter Pet Care, choosing you was an easy decision. From the moment I arrived, I was impressed by your beautiful facility, the attentive staff, and the genuine care you show every pet. Thank you again for making Dr. Robinson feel so comfortable and well cared for. We couldn't have asked for a better experience, and we'll definitely be back the next time we need boarding. With gratitude, The Robinson Family read more

Critter Pet Care - Cat sitting - Pet Boarding Near Me - Oakland, California

We took our 3 month old kitten here while we when to Tahoe. Let me just tell you, the facility is top notch. Super impressive operation. The owner Pam is super professional and sent us daily updates of our kitty. This is definitely going to be the place we used to board our pets. read more

I would highly recommend Critter Pet Care to any pet guardian/owner (even guinea pigs!) Their love of all animals shows from the lush inside arrangements where cats and dogs stay (separately, of course) to updating the yard with new astroturf for dogs to have more fun playing outside. I am sure my dog would agree as shown by him literally starting to whine with anticipation when we get close to the freeway exit. Pam has also been incredibly helpful and understanding while I continue to learn how to raise my very first dog. I also consider her a bit of a cat saint for all the cats she has helped. read more

We highly recommend Critter Pet Care & Pam. Our cat, Jade, loves staying there since she gets to roam around and hang out on the various soft beds at different heights in the area. Pam treats Jade like one of her own. She sends us pictures and videos while we are away. And generally Pam goes out of her way to show her love and attention to our cat (and others, of course). Critter Pet Care is by far the best place we have ever boarded Jade. We go on vacation without worrying about her at all. It's the best possible setup for Jade. In fact I think she often doesn't want to leave! Thank you so much for your kindness and care. read more

I've taken my 7 year old cat Luna to Critter Pet Care twice now and will continue to do so! This last time Luna loved it so much she didn't want to leave Pam and her staff are excellent and so amazing with the animals. The cat house has so many areas to climb around and explore and bird feeders so they can watch the birds! And not to mention it's such a good price. I highly recommend bringing your cats here, they'll have an amazing time while you're away and are in safe hands! There's options for them to roam around and socialize or stay in their own units in case they are shy. read more

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We have boarded our cats three times here, and we come all the way from San Jose because there is nothing as great as Critter Pet Care in the entire South Bay area. Pam takes great care of our cats by following our feeding instruction and ensuring they are comfortable before letting them out. All three cats of ours have/had very different personalities, one hated everyone, one is social, and one is an anxious boy on prescription diet. It's fun to see the update pictures from Pam to know how they are doing. They are always so comfortable and don't want to leave when we pick them up! read more

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Pam is very caring to our boys. Never had any issues and my 2 cats love being there. I never stress about their well being while being away as I get regular updates. read more

Pam is absolutely incredible. She took amazing care of my kitty while I was out of town for a week. She sent me pictures of him everyday, playing, eating, snuggling, etc. Her new Kitty house is absolutely fantastic. It has all the things a cat would love, lots of windows to look out of, cat scratch, shelves all over for climbing and comfy napping areas. I now use Pam's Critter Pet Care regularly when I have to go out of town. Completely safe place to leave your fur baby. Fur baby equivalent to a Private Preschool. This is the best place to take your animal. read more

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Pam took excellent care of our two cats, Riley (4) and Chloe (14). Riley loved his stays, adapted quickly, and socialized with the other cats. Chloe, who, as a kitten, was hand reared without contact with other cats, preferred to stay in her condo. We appreciated the effort Pam made to help her feel more comfortable. Pam has a practiced touch with the cats who board with her, and with the dogs, I'd meet on the way to her kitty condo cottage. She's an experienced and capable pet sitter, and we enjoyed working with her. All the cats and dogs she cares for are vetted. Vet vaccination records and current flea treatments are required. Via texts and photos, she kept us abreast of how our pals were doing. Her facility is painted with bright and cheerful colors, and her bi- and tri-level condos each feature a small window with a bird feeder hanging outside, Kitty Netflix. Thanks, Pam. read more

Pam was a life saver! When my aunt could no longer care for her two dogs, Pam agreed to take them in on short notice for three weeks during the busy holiday season while we found them a home. She was patient and compassionate during our family crisis, extending the initial stay until we finally found a great new home for them both. She gave me contacts who could help in finding a new home, and treated the dogs with the utmost care and respect. Her facility is very clean and comfy. All the dogs I encountered there were happy and well cared for. If I had pets of my own, I would not hesitate entrusting them to Pam's care. Thanks Pam! read more

Pam has taken excellent care of our two kittens/cats over the past two years. Pam and her team are very personable and attentive, and they clearly love their visitors. The accomodations are clean and comfortable, well-lit, and the windows have great views of trees, bird feeders, and more. Pam sends regular updates and pictures, and is happy to answer any question. Our cats have always come home comfortable and relaxed; obviously well taken care of. We highly recommend Pam and Critter Pet Care for all boarding needs! read more

I highly recommend Critter Pet Care. My cat has special needs and they treated him like a . They knew I was anxious about leaving him and kept me updated daily and even sent pictures. The little house has AC and is set up very nicely specifically for kitties. The owner is easy to work with and very accommodating. They take care of as well. read more

Critter Pet Care - Baby telling Pam he's enjoying the AC! - Pet Boarding Near Me - Oakland, California

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I highly recommend Critter Pet Care for dogs & cats -- and all of nature. Pam takes care of my 5 year old pup - daycare and boarding. He's a sensitive critter. Auntie Pam makes him feel comfortable and safe. He enjoys the yard, socializes with other dogs, meets cats, gets great exercise and naps, and boards in Pam's wonderful, comfortable dog cabin. Pam is extraordinary. She is professional, ready to help, and really understands how to care for our beloved pets. read more

Pam is a marvel -- we've left our two cats with her for stays of 4 days to 3 weeks--sometimes very last minute, and she is always so accommodating and eager to help (and excited to see our cats). Whenever we pick them up, they seem so happy and relaxed (albeit a little "dusty," granted, from all the socializing), as do all the other cats and dogs they've been boarding with (cats and dogs are kept separately, obviously). Pam's cat village is a cozy, stimulating, and safe environment, with plenty of windows, shelves, high surfaces, nooks, towers, and areas for the cats to enjoy solitude if needed, and the constant soothing tinkle of big brass jazz in the background. The cats seem so friendly and engaged with each other -- so whatever Pam's doing, it works. She sends regular updates while we're away and we always feel the cats are in such good hands. read more

This is an update to my review done 2 years ago in November. Since then, I have used Critter Pet Care services frequently and am so very pleased with the care and attention given to my dog, Willow! I trust Pam 100% to care for her and keep her safe, warm, fed, and happy! The last 2 years I have had some instances where I had to leave unexpectedly and call on Pam to board Willow for a few days. She is always there and she cares so much about Willow and all the pets she cares for. I appreciate that she is careful to interview each pet owner to confirm she will be able to care for them as expected. She feeds each dog the food brought by the owner and pays close attention to special instructions regarding diet and eating in general. Pam is very observant. She called me to let me know Willow was licking in one spot and that her skin may be irritated and I followed up with the vet. I appreciated her watchful eye! As a nurse practitioner, these last few years have been crazy and stressful due to this pandemic. It is such a relief to know I don't have to worry about knowing Willow is safe and happy when Pam is caring for her. Now, when I tell Willow we are "going to Pam's house" her ears perk up, she runs around with excitement and heads straight for the door! read more

I cannot recommend Pam highly enough for anyone with a pet. I hated to leave my old dog, recovering from an illness, with anyone, but she had come recommended for her honesty and commitment. Pam went above and beyond making my dog comfortable and cared for when I had to leave town. When i found I couldn't get home when I had hoped, she made it work to keep watching him even though his care needs were more than we expected. She let me know how he was doing every day, and was incredibly kind. Pam will always be my first choice for someone to care for my pet. read more

Pam and Critter Pet Care are a Gem! Finding quality boarding care for you cat family member can be a real challenge. I was traveling for business and needed someone I could entrust with my beloved "BabyBlu". I was referred to Pam and am grateful to have found her. Here "cat chalet" (my words) is clean, smells good, has lots of light, and loads of fun places/things for my cat to do. Pam also boards and does dog-day care. Here entire set-up is well kept, clean, and everyone (cats, dogs, and Pam) look happy. Definitely keep Pam in mind the next time you are looking for quality Cat (or dog) boarding. read more

The level of attention to our dog Banjo is out of this world! He races out of the car every time we arrive and waits to be greeted by "AUNTIE" Pam. This friendship is now 4 years strong. Our Cattle dog is pretty exhausting so we rely on Pam and the other furry friends at Critter Pet Care to give us a break from his relentless ball obsession. Rain or shine we pick up our pup and he's asleep before we hit the freeway for home. Pam, an animal lover to the bone brings peace and joy to our family. We wouldn't be able to come and go, travel and work without the services Pam offers us. We are SERIOUSLY grateful for her!! read more

2020, as the pandemic began, we faced a furnace disaster that forced us temporarily out of our home. Pam took in our cats and gave them the best care while work was completed on our home. She was flexible and able to care for them until we could move back in. She even celebrated the cat's birthday, which brought my daughters comfort and joy while they were away from their beloved kitties. Pam is fantastic, thorough and thoughtful. read more

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Just an update to my review. It just keeps getting better! Pam has a big new deck, with cover, which will provide outdoor space to stay out of the rain for our doggos. We are so happy we can bring our dog to Pam to play with his friends and stay well socialized. Thanks, Pam!! read more

This was my first time leaving my cat at a pet hotel. Pam made me and my cat feel very comfortable. I loved how Pam put together the cat house! While I was gone, Pam sent me daily photos and updates with how my cat was getting settled. Upon pick up, I walked in to find my pet so comfortable and happy. He loved all the areas to climb and toys to play with. I will definitely be bringing my cat back in the future! Highly recommend! read more

Critter Pet Care - Pet Boarding Near Me - Oakland, California

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Pam or "Auntie Pam" as we call her is the best! I started bringing my rescue dachshund to her back in August. When he started he was the most timid anxious little pup, but he has grown into a social butterfly. She has been so patient and worked with him through all of his anxieties. I feel so good knowing my dog is with her all day while I'm at work and my dog is a different, more social dog because of her. Thanks Pam! read more

We found Critter Pet Care online after weeks of serious research. We have a 1 year old anxious rescue kitten that had never been left alone, nor been exposed to other cats so we were searching for a very specific boarding situation for him. We were so nervous about how clingy he is and also felt badly to have him live in a cage while we were off on vacation. In comes Pat at Critter Pet Care. I called Pam and she generously spoke to me for a half hour calming my fears and helping explain her accommodations and care style. She assured me our cat would be able to leave his condo and play freely once he was comfortable and open to it. Finally I asked to tour the facility to get more comfortable with the layout and my calm my fears. We met Pam and loved what we saw. She and her team are so caring and personable and the animals onsite act like they are happy at home. We received many pics and videos and updates from Pam while we were on vacation, especially in the first few days which helped because we didn't know how our cat would adjust and we were worried about him. We picked him up 6 days later and he was out roaming happily and well cared for. I highly recommend Pam and Critter Care especially for cats that are anxious and needy. Pam is the whisperer indeed. We are so relieved we have found our boarding spot so we can keep traveling worry free. Thanks Pam and team!! read more

Pam is absolutely amazing. My two kitties have a second mama! Pam sent me pictures and text messages while my babies were saying there. She took good care of my kitties. I cannot thank enough to Pam. I'm going to send my kitties to this amazing place whenever I'm out of town. read more

Critter Pet Care - Exploring the place - Pet Boarding Near Me - Oakland, California

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Pam has been amazing. I have been taking my dog to Auntie Pam for a little over a year now and she has always treated my dog like he is part of her family. She gives a personalized experience and is flexible with schedules which is great for my demanding work schedule. She sends me photos of the dogs during the day and checks up on my dog even when he is not there. My husband and I are very picky about who we let care for our dog and we are so happy to have Pam to take care of him when we are unable. read more

Pam was wonderful throughout the whole process of setting up the necessary forms and more importantly, taking care of our two cats. We left them for a week and were texted updates on a daily basis regarding their comfort levels and what sort of mischief they'd gotten into that day. The dedicated cat room is great, equipped with different sized 'kitty condos', cat towers, and shelving for the cats to perch/play on. Leaving your pets somewhere for whatever reason is a little stressful in itself and Pam exceeded expectations in mitigating these stresses. I'll almost definitely be back for her help in the future. read more

We have a sensitive dog and have had trouble finding a quality dogcare provider. We are so grateful to have found Pam. She has provided exceptional care for our dog. She has a wonderful set up for the dogs in her care. We highly recommend Pam for daycare and boarding. read more

I'm so happy with critter care! Pam is very dedicated and loving to each and every dog / cat. My doggie pulls like nobody's business to get into the yard every time we go there. She loves it there. We've boarded too; feeling very comfortable with leaving her knowing Pam is there! read more

Pam is great with kitty cats, and she lives in my neighborhood. Her love for them is obvious! She has cared for my kitty, Candy, for a few years when we've gone out of town. Most recently, Pam was a huge help when I inadvertently took in a new kitten (Kimba) on Halloween...Five year old Candy was not thrilled, to say the least. Pam came by, gave me tips on how to manage behavior esp on introducing the two cats. She even advised on when and how to let them work it out themselves. True pro! read more

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Hello to everyone.I for the first time have left my small hairless chihuahua with Pam and I can't say how pleased I was with his care.Pam answered my call and I was in need of same day care of my little guy Carlos.As soon as I arrived to her house she was very welcoming and with the COVID she meet all health requirements to make sure everyone was safe. Her home was spotless beautiful and she has everything a dog and cat can want .Pam updated me with Carlos day fun adventures and pictures .I can't say enough about Pam but to please take your pets there for care you won't be disappointed your animal will not want to leave .She will be forever part of our family Carlos has found his second home for sure . Thank you so much read more

Pam Schams, the owner of Critter Pet Care has been providing potty breaks and boarding services for my dog, Bertie for 6 years now. I recommend her services to anyone with a cat or dog old or young. She is very attentive and caring with my 14 year old chihua-mix. When I board Bertie, I am rest assured that she is going to be in the best hands because her facilities are amazing. For instance, the cat house has custom made rooms for each cat or if she has only one cat boarded then the whole house is theirs to play and be free in. Her facilities for the dogs are well-maintained and fun for all. She will meet your dog's needs whether that is following instruction for a special diet like mine has, medication or any other needs, she will provide responsible care for your loved dog or cat. In addition to dog walking/ boarding, Pam has also assisted me in trapping, fixing, and releasing 9 members of a feral cat colony that lived in my backyard. She was tremendously resourceful in assisting me in finding medical treatment and homes for all of my feral kitties. I am incredibly thankful for her as well as her business. She offers the best pet care around the Oakland area. read more

UNPROFESSIONAL, NOT COMPASSIONATE AND NEGLIGENT. We dropped our two dogs (11 year-old mutt and 1 year-old Formosa Mountain Dog) off at 11:30 this morning for an overnight boarding. Pam was hesitant to take in our FMD, as she's had negative experiences before with that breed. Pam's disposition was cold and off-putting. At 6:00, we got a call asking us to pick up our dogs because our puppy was "fearful" of Pam. Pam said that we needed to pick the dogs up by 6:30 because she was leaving the house. LEAVING THE HOUSE WHEN YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO BE TAKING CARE OF NOT JUST OUR DOGS, BUT 6-7 OTHERS THAT WERE THERE?!? We arrived to pick up our dogs and our older dog had blood all over his face. Pam not only didn't seem to care, but hadn't even noticed. She asked, "Didn't he come over like that?" Wtf?!? "No Pam, we didn't bring our dog over with blood all over his face!" She had no idea what happened to him and did not even attempt to apologize for her negligence. When we got both our dogs and the little one's crate and then asked for the leashes and food because we needed to take our big dog home and clean up his facial wounds, Pam said that in our rush to leave, we were being "irrational". So, not only was Pam unpleasant from the onset, she had far too many animals she was "watching", she didn't feed our dogs at the desired time, she was going to leave all the dogs unattended, she was unsympathetic and patronizing. Worst experience ever! If you want your dog cared for, STAY AWAY FROM PAM!!! read more

We left our two Guinea Pigs at Critter Pet Care for two weeks and Pam was just wonderful! She took great care of them, provided new bedding and greens and sent pictures to show us how they were doing. They got a little vacation of their own! read more

Pam is wonderful. She is tender and kind with animals. She just provided over two weeks of dog walking/cat care/house watching services for us while we were on vacation. When we got home from vacation our animals were so content. When Pam came over to our house after our vacation our 3 dogs were so happy to see her, and if that is not the true test of a good pet watcher I don't know what is. Highly recommend critter pet care!! read more

Pam Schams, Critter Pet Care Services are just what we needed! We have two dogs and one cat and had planned a vacation but needed a pet and home sitter. It was our first time using a sitter and we had been researching local services. We were driving on the 880 freeway and saw Pam's advertisement on her back window. We just had this feeling, it was definitely meant to be! We reviewed her website and scheduled a consultation. Our animals were at ease and relaxed with Pam and we felt the same. We scheduled additional pre vacation visits for walks and feeding to prepare for our time away. This helped us feel very comfortable since it was our first time hiring a pet and home sitter. Pam is super patient with anxious pet owners!! Pam took care of our 3 babies and our home while we were away for 4 nights, 5 days. We also took advantage of her other services, such as bringing in the mail, watering indoor and outdoor plants. She asked if we would like a text update and she updated us on how they were doing and even included pictures, so sweet! Put us nervous nellies right at ease!! whew When we came home all animals were completely relaxed. They normally jump all over us and go crazy when we are gone for any length of time. I don't think they missed us at all. What surprised us most is that our Border Collie was so calm and you could tell he was played out and completely satisfied. We could tell Chico, Sadie and Lilly were very happy and content with Auntie Pam's loving care! What a relief to find someone who can care for your pets and home the way you do! We definitely recommend Pam for your Critter Pet Care needs and or House Sitting/ Lawn and Garden Care services! read more

I can't recommend Pam enough!!! My wife and I went on a road trip for a week and Pam stayed at our house in El Cerrito the whole time. For a very reasonable rate, Pam took great full-time care of our three cats. She stayed over night every night and did the full house-sitting routine taking in the mail, watering the plants, and of course taking great care of our brood. She sent us pictures and updates every day. They were all very happy and well adjusted when we got back, a sure sign of the great care they were given. We'll defiantly be calling Critter Pet care for all of our walking/sitting needs in the future. read more

We have two cats and have had a couple of bad experiences recently boarding them at Petsmart when going out of town for short trips. The staff don't seem to know how to handle the cats (who are super friendly by the way) and the cats come back home traumatized. So we were in desperate need of finding a safer happier place to board the kitties when we need to travel. Saw all the positive reviews on Yelp for Critter Pet Care and decided to give it a try. First let me say, Pam is really fantastic. Gets back to you quickly to answer your questions, super clear in her instructions with how things work, and was just so pleasant to work with. The facility is clean and doesn't have that usual not so pleasant cat pee smell you always get hit with at the kennel style boarding places. The housing for the cats is so cute and each kitty condo has a window seat to be able to watch the birds. Most importantly, the cats did great! They were so calm when I picked them up, not all huddled in the corner of a cage like I've seen them at other places we have been. And when they came home there was literally no adjustment. Oftentimes before, the cats would take a day or so to acclimate back to home. Not at all after staying with Pam. Finally, Pam makes the payment process so easy. Dumpling and Kimchi say "Thank you Auntie Pam! We can't wait to visit you again!" read more

Pam is an angel. I had just moved into a new place with my two small dogs when my original doggie care arrangement fell apart only a few days before a trip back east. New to the hood I turned to the local groomer/pet supply shop for a recommendation. I called Pam at Critter Pet Care who was very understanding, sympathetic, and accommodating. This was my first time using a pet sitter for my pups and I was a bit apprehensive. From the first night Pam eased my fears with very helpful text updates and pics. While gone I received regular updates which eased any concerns and fears I had for my girls. Five days later I arrived home to two very happy well cared for pups. As a bonus, Pam managed the unthinkable. My 13yo un-socialized 'puppy mill' rescue chi allowed Pam to touch her, even got a little snuggly, which is no easy task. Only a few people have accomplished this in the 11+ years I've had her, and it took them more than a year to gain her trust. Pam did it in only five days! So happy I found Pam for my girls and I'd give Pam and Critter Pet Care way more than 5 stars if I could. read more

As a professional pet sitter for well over 10 years, I am very particular about who I choose to care for my pets, and the pets I am entrusted with in my job. Reliability, honesty, responsibility, clear-headed thinking, and a genuine love for and knowledge of animals is essential to me in a pet sitter. That is why I am so happy to write this testimonial for Pam and Critter Pet Care. Over the time that I have known Pam I have seen how well animals are treated in her care, and had no doubt that my pets would be treated accordingly. Pam recently took care of a dog for me that is in advanced heart failure. Her care was excellent, her bedside manner exceptional, and she wasn't afraid to call with questions in order to make sure she was doing the best job possible. I really felt I could get away without worrying about anything, and that really means a lot! I will not hesitate to call on Pam again when the need arises. I highly recommend Pam and Critter Pet Care for all your pet sitting needs." Sincerely, Jennifer K. Owner Petsitting By Jennifer http://www.petsittingbyjennifer.com/ http://www.yelp.com/biz/petsitting-by-jennifer-cupertino read more