Our dog has been going to Poochie Play since he was very young and is now almost 10. Owning a dog would not be possible if it were not for this life saving facility. He is a very high energy breed and either needs to hike off leash in the woods twice a day or go to day care. Needless to say, he goes to to Poochie Play OFTEN. He is a regular there and I know he is adored. He gets so excited upon arrival and is thankfully tired after a full day of playing. As a busy nurse practitioner very familiar with health department regulations, I can honestly say Poochie Play is immaculate. It always smells clean and I am VERY particular. In the past 8 years I have randomly stopped by to pick up or drop off at various times of the day and have NEVER seen fecal matter, urine or even smelt it. I have been up front and observed the back dog area numerous random times and am always impressed and truthfully amazed at the cleanliness and absence of dog excrement. They have a strict procedure at removal that follows state guidelines. The staff is not only friendly but very competent and capable of handling the dogs safely. I have always observed nothing but professionalism. The dogs truly enjoy themselves, play and most importantly socialize, which is critical for a healthy, happy, sane dog and dog owner. I would not even consider having another dog in the future if it weren't for Poochie Play! I know many others that take their dogs there and feel the same way. Thank you Carol and your amazing staff at Poochie Play for being there. You truly are lifesaving!!! Check out their amazing pool!!! Such an incredible thing to offer dogs!!! read more

My dog has been coming to Poochie Play for about 5 years now, and I am so grateful for Carol and her excellent staff. I am a VERY frequent customer. In the beginning, when my dog was only a year old, I needed a break from the hours of exercise she needed. Poochie Play was highly recommended to me by my vet technician who sent her own dog there for day care as well as boarding. This is a place where I can leave my dog for great exercise, camaraderie, socialization and fun in a very clean and spacious environment. She meets all kinds of dogs, with all kinds of personalities, and has made great friends along the way. When I am away for an extended period of time, I know she is well cared for. She is always excited as we get out of the car to go in to Poochie Play, and at the end of the day, she is equally happy to see me. Pricing is extremely reasonable--especially when you consider the cost of a dog walker for an hour or two, compared to an entire day of play and socializing--and the more days you purchase, the more you can save. They are also able to provide some grooming services--it is very convenient to have my dog bathed and have her nails clipped without having to take her elsewhere. The first day is free--have your dog try it out. As a long-time customer, I can tell you that mine always comes home healthy, happy--and tired! read more

This place is one of the best around. There is NO ONE out there who would take better care of your dog, than Carol and her staff at Poochie Play. Our boy Frito went here for a few years and he thrived there. We had been at another daycare in Wallingford bc it was closer to our jobs in Hartford. He had a tennis ball issue (he was an only child at the time & didn't like sharing lol) so the Wallingford place asked us to leave until we got it under control. I called Carol and she met and loved Frito & told us to bring him to her facility. We got there and the place was amazing. Big, beautiful and clean. Carol and her amazing staff helped him with his issue and now he plays so well with other dogs while playing with tennis balls!! They were so kind and patient with him and in no time at all, he was great at sharing his tennis ball! I can't begin to say how much we love Poochie Play and Carol Small. We watched the cameras at work and saw how much fun he was having with all the other dogs. That is such a blessing to have for any fur parent. For anyone to say it needs a change or a makeover has to be confusing it with someplace else or just disgruntled. If you are looking for a doggie daycare, boarding facility or just all around great place for your best friend to go, don't look any further than Poochie Play in North Branford. read more

Poochie play is as good as it gets! I have been bringing my dog Chip there since he was a few months old. He is now 5 years old...they celebrated his birthday there in January with a delicious cake from J Cakes(little shout out to Hope). We did extensive research before trusting our new member of the family with anyone. Poochie Play came out on top. Carol and her staff are genuine animal lovers. They are warm and caring and Chip loves them all. Chip is extremely happy and excited to get there in the morning. If he could drive himself there he would. It's a clean, fun and SAFE environment for the dogs. You can watch them on the doggie cam which really put my mind at ease when we first started bringing him there...now I don't give it a second thought! The staff is knowledgeable and show a genuine concern for my pet. It's not just a job for them. Chip has boarded there for years. For the times when he just can't come with us I am very thankful for Poochie Play. There kennels are clean and spacious and he gets to hang with his friends during the day...what a life. I highly recommend Poochie Play for daycare and for boarding. read more

I have two cavaliers who have been going to poochie play for a few years now, and we HIGHLY recommend!!! My boys have been to other daycares in the past, and I always had to drag them in, and they would drag me out...I gave up figuring they just didn't like it. Then someone had recommended poochie play to me and I decided to give it a shot. My boys LOVE it here! They get excited when I mention the word "school" to them and I call all the workers their "teachers" and of course then owner, we call "principal carol". They now DRAG me into poochie play and I have to DRAG them out. They would honestly give up their life at home to live at poochie play and be perfectly happy! they get such good care and the place is clean. I have randomly been in the back several times and there is no excrement or anything that would come across as unsanitary. I am very much a neat freak and I am always impressed at how they keep the place clean! One of my dogs also swims and really enjoys their pool! LOVE POOCHIE PLAY!!! :) read more

Let me make this short and simple . DONT BRING YOUR DOGS HERE . My dog has an open wound on his back , was under fed , and kept isolated in a cage when we originally paid for daycare . We were not contacted of his wounds or given any information , when attempting to contact the owner CAROL kept hanging up stating she will only take cash . Eventually the animal control department came and demanded she let our dogs go , now we have to bring our pitbul to the vet to be checked out for his injuries. As well as walking out the door she stated some personal insults saying ' those dogs shouldn't be around kids , pitbuls are aggressive , I feel bad for your kids' . Overall a disgusting terrible experience , the owner is the most unprofessional non caring person and is only money hungry . As well our other dog which was also there was covered in pee from head to toe . Pictures were taken and if this commentary allowed it we'd post ALL OF THEM . DONT BRING YOUR PETS HERE . read more

We rescued Cooper when he was a puppy in 2010 when we lived in a condo in Branford. With no safe, fenced area for him to run, we took a neighbor's recommendation to try Poochie Play as an option to let the pup socialize and tire himself out. We met Carol and some other staff, and were given a tour of the place. It looked and smelled clean and friendly. There were about 25 dogs roaming, playing, ignoring each other and getting along beautifully. We left our guy there. When we went to get him at the end of the day, he tried to back into the play area. Since that day, we have used Poochie Play exclusively; whether to let him run around with other dogs or to kennel. For the last 4 years, we travel from Stratford to North Branford so Cooper can run, play and sleep over in a safe, clean and fun environment. Thanks, Carol for all you do for our guy. Your staff is always accommodating and friendly! Boast to have found you! read more

I worked for the so called Doggy Daycare for a few months. The owner has a general dislike for dogs, unless she is friends with its owner. I witnessed her (owner) and her "supervisor" slapping disobedient dogs. There are no written rules for the employees to follow, employees are not given breaks, and will often be left alone for hours on end. I was fired with out warning, and she brags about firing people, or making them quit so employees can not collect unemployment. I worked 40+ hr weeks for about 3 months in those 3 months there were 3 puncture wounded dogs. I was not in house for any of them. I was fired and dog slapping "supervisor" is still there. Take my advice your dog is better off home alone then at this place. The owner locks her own dog in a small room by itself for the duration of the day. read more

I'm was very nervous to leave my fur baby anywhere but had to board her. I looked around at several places. I was hesitatant with one place because they wouldn't let you look at the space and they install a stockade fence in front of the window where you could view. Ultimately, I ended up at Poochie Play. The staff gave me a tour and explained everything in detail. Even as we passed staff that were working they all smiled and said hello. I was so Pleased with the. Parsing experience that if often do the day care as a treat for my baby!! I can't say better things about the owner and staff. The owner, Carol, explained all the safety precautions and procedures in place. It a great place with great people. I even met some other pet parents that told me their great stories. read more

We started taking our dog to Poochie Play for day care a few weeks ago. We were going away and needed to board her somewhere. She's never been boarded so we knew this was the best plan to get her used to the place. When I took her the first time I got a tour and immediately loved the facility and staff. She was left there for 8 nights and was well treated. We got to watch her on the doggie cam and it was great to see there was always staff watching the dogs. The staff was also very informative with all the many questions I had. I saw Carol almost every time I picked up my dog and she was very friendly and knowledgeable. I highly recommend this place! read more

Our dogs have been going to Poochie Play pretty much since they opened. I used to work in the veterinary field and I am very particular with who I trust my dogs with. The owner Carol is always very diligent about ensuring the safety and health of the dogs. She's always coming up with innovative ways to keep the dogs happy and entertained, such as adding an indoor pool for the dogs. I send my dogs 1-2 times a week and couldn't be happier. I would recommend to anyone looking for a safe, happy place to send their dogs! read more

We have taken dogs here for ten years! My two insane Cocker Spaniels love to go - the younger one knows the roads and we get about a half mile away and he's off the wall in anticipation of a fun filled day. We also board there when needed because we absolutely trust them and it's great to log in and see them on the web cam when we're away. Oh, the best part- those boys come home tired from all the playing! read more

I've used Poochie Play for years in hopes of calming down my pup Dylan. He'd go there 1-2 times a week and would come home super happy, exhausted, and socialized. I would highly recommend Poochie Play to anyone!!! read more

I've been bringing my dog Bella to poochie play for two years. She and I absolutely love it there. The staff is great, the place is clean! Two thumbs up!! read more