It pains me deeply to write this review, but I believe our experience needs to be shared with other…read moredog owners who may be considering leaving their pets with a dog daycare or boarding provider. It has been exactly one month since we lost our beloved French Bulldog, Louie, to heat stroke after leaving him with OC Paw House in Tustin, California. We dropped Louie off at approximately 9:05 a.m. for what was supposed to be a four-hour half-day visit. The purpose was simply to see how well he interacted with the other dogs before we considered boarding him there for a week later in September. I believed I had done my due diligence as a responsible pet owner. The business had more than 100 five-star reviews, and I could not find even a single review below five stars. They also had many photos of french bulldogs on their social media. That gave me a great deal of confidence in leaving Louie in their care. Unfortunately, what happened that morning is something our family will live with forever. At 11:33 a.m., I received a photo and text showing Louie with several other dogs. In the photo, what appeared to be Louie's vomit was clearly visible near his front paws. When I later examined the photo more carefully, I noticed that it had been taken at approximately 10:18 a.m. That timeline is extremely important. Wendy, the owner, later told me that Louie was having difficulty with the heat while at an unshaded dog park on an approximately 81-degree day. She said that after about 5-10 minutes, they decided to take him back to the house. The house is approximately an eight-minute drive from the dog park. Yet I did not receive a phone call telling me that Louie was in serious distress until approximately 11:45 a.m. I was then told that he was not breathing. That leaves me with a question I still cannot get past: What happened between approximately 10:18 a.m., when Louie was apparently already showing signs of distress, and the time I was finally contacted? As Louie's owner, it is devastating to think that he may have been struggling for an extended period of time without receiving the urgent intervention he needed. In my opinion, what happened demonstrates a serious lack of training, judgment, and emergency preparedness. This is especially troubling because Wendy told me that she owns or has owned a French Bulldog and understands that Frenchies do not tolerate heat well. Brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs are widely known to be particularly vulnerable to overheating. Afterward, I obtained a report from OC Animal Care. Based on my reading of that report, I learned information about the business and its licensing status that I did not know when I entrusted Louie to their care. The report also contains statements regarding overnight boarding and the individuals who provide dog-walking services that, in my view, do not match my understanding of how the business was represented or operated. I encourage anyone considering this business--or any dog daycare or boarding provider--to verify its licensing, insurance, training, emergency procedures, supervision practices, and experience caring for your specific breed. Do not rely solely on online reviews. I wish I had known to ask more questions. Louie was not just our dog. He was part of our family, and losing him this way has been heartbreaking. I am writing this review because I cannot change what happened to Louie, but perhaps sharing our experience will cause another dog owner to ask the questions I wish I had asked--and potentially prevent another family from experiencing the loss that ours has endured.

August 11th The Day We Lost Louie…read more Our six-year-old French Bulldog, Louie, died from heatstroke just two and a half hours into what we were told would be a four-hour trial day at this daycare. We were told the purpose of the trial was simply to see whether Louie could get along with other dogs. We were never told that he would be taken to a dog park or participate in strenuous outdoor activity. We chose this daycare because the owner told us she owns a French Bulldog herself, and because the daycare had very good reviews. We trusted that our French Bulldog would be understood and properly cared for. What happened that day is something we will never forget. 9:00 AM -- We dropped Louie off for his four-hour trial. 9:30 AM -- Just 30 minutes later, Louie was taken to a dog park for outdoor activity without our knowledge. We had never been told that he would be taken off the daycare premises or to a dog park. The temperature that day ranged from approximately 77°F to 85°F. 10:18 AM -- According to the daycare, Louie vomited after the activity. We were not informed when it happened. 11:30 AM -- More than an hour after he vomited, we received a photo of his vomit. At the same time, we were communicating about payment and completing a reservation for his future stay. We were given no indication that Louie was experiencing a potentially life-threatening emergency. 11:45 AM -- We received a phone call telling us that Louie was not breathing. 12:00 PM -- Louie was pronounced dead from heatstroke. Our dog went into the daycare alive and healthy at 9:00 AM. By noon, he was dead. What is especially devastating is what we learned afterward. We were told that they had never seen Louie breathing so heavily before. We were also told that they had tried giving him water, but he was vomiting. For a French Bulldog, excessive panting, vomiting, and difficulty breathing in hot conditions can be serious warning signs of overheating and heatstroke. French Bulldogs are particularly vulnerable to heat because of their shortened airways and difficulty cooling themselves efficiently through panting. Yet during the critical period when Louie was apparently struggling, we received no immediate warning and no update about his condition. The owner was also not present at the daycare at the time. We later learned that she had a doctor's appointment, which contributed to a delay in communication. While the adults were dealing with schedules, appointments, and communication, Louie was suffering--and we knew nothing. This was supposed to be a simple four-hour trial to see whether Louie could socialize with other dogs. We never agreed to have him taken to a dog park in temperatures reaching 85°F. We never imagined that he would be subjected to strenuous outdoor activity in hot weather. We are devastated that Louie was placed in this situation while in someone else's care. We trusted this daycare because we believed they understood French Bulldogs. That trust was shattered in the worst possible way. Louie was in their care. We trusted them to keep him safe. We expected him to come home. He never did. Louie was not just a dog. He was part of our family, and we will never get him back.

Had a great experience! We ran into a little hiccup when we arrived but the staff were so nice…read moreabout it and were able to accommodate us. Everyone was so friendly and helpful, and the place was very clean. Our dog has some anxiety, so we were a little nervous, but the staff made us feel comfortable. She came home happy and tired, so I think she had a great time! We loved the staff and would definitely recommend this place!

We had a wonderful experience with Paws at Play. From the moment we arrived, the staff was…read morefriendly, attentive, and genuinely caring toward our dog. You can tell they truly love animals and take the time to make each dog feel comfortable and well cared for. Our dog came home happy, relaxed, and clearly well looked after, which gave us a lot of peace of mind. The facility was clean, professional, and well organized, and communication throughout the process was excellent. It's not always easy leaving your dog in someone else's care, but we felt completely comfortable with Bethany, JL and their team. We would absolutely trust them again and highly recommend them to anyone looking for a caring and dependable place for their dog in Orange County.

An Exceptional, Compassionate Team--Saving Tapanga and Supporting My Son…read more As parents living in Las Vegas, it is incredibly hard when your child is away at college and faces a crisis. My 19-year-old son, a student at Chapman University, recently rescued a puppy named Tapanga right before she was going to be dumped at a shelter. He brought her to OC Veterinary Medical Center, where she tragically tested positive for parvo. Devastated, overwhelmed, and completely alone, my son called us in tears. What followed is the reason I will forever recommend this clinic. Instead of just handing him a massive bill or turning him away, Dr. Barnes and the incredible staff wrapped their arms around him. They patiently guided him through every single step, outlining his options and coordinating her care--even sending him to another clinic for a specific antibody shot before bringing her back to OC Vet for her full treatment. My son called me and said, "Mom, I feel like everyone here really cares. They are so patient and thorough, you don't feel like a number." Knowing they are fighting right alongside him has made an incredibly stressful situation bearable. To make things even more amazing, I called the clinic from Las Vegas, anxious for an update on both the puppy and my son. A wonderful lady Sonia at the front desk spent 15 minutes on the phone with me, talking me through everything and completely calming my fears. That kind of genuine empathy is so rare to find these days. Thank you, Dr. Barnes and the entire staff, for not only taking such incredible care of little Tapanga, but for guiding, protecting, and reassuring my son through one of the most emotional experiences of his young adult life. We know Tapanga is fighting for her life right now and we truly do not know what the outcome will be but we are confident that we chose the right team to help her You are absolute heroesThank you , The Merhi family

Nearly 2 years later and as or dog is now dying, we now know what this charlatan doctor missed…read moretrying to do neurological tests. The liver. You missed symptoms of liver tumor causing seizure symptoms. What a complete failure. This could have been treated if you knew what you were doing. Ask yourself, would you wanna go to a veterinarian that doesn't treat your pet like they would treat their own?

My dog is 13 and this was her first ever hair cut. They did a great job, she was totally fine when…read moreshe came home and has been so much more comfortable with all this heat! They also helped with her breath and cleaned her ears. The bundle was a great deal, thank you. Wish they also served cats!

My dog went to his grooming appointment today. He is a medium size dog and from our experience with…read moregrooming visits, it easily takes 3-4 hours for his service to be completed. We paid for the deluxe grooming package which includes: bath, haircut, nail trim, ear cleaning, scissoring feet and pad shaving, teeth brushing, sanitary trim, and anal gland cleaning. With this entire package and hearing from past groomers that he is not the easiest dog to groom, we received a message stating he was done in 2 hours and 15 minutes. Unusual from our experience! When we picked him up, we had to go back inside to ask them to do more sanitary trimming. Additionally, when we came home, our dog had poop stuck to his butt, but did not poop after we picked him up. So, did they even give him a bath? I doubt it because he didn't even smell clean. We also needed to use our dog trimmer to try to clean him up more. Seems like a waste of money and won't be going back.

I can't believe it's taken me this long to recognize and leave a review for Jessie and her team at…read moreWalk'n Wag'n. They have been such a blessing and I am so extremely grateful for such an amazing team to love and care for my baby. I've used them for both dog walking and in home sitting services. Leaving my baby in dog form is never easy, but they made the entire experience completely stress-free. Jessie, Janice, Jennifer (Kenobi's J-girls) genuine love for dogs shines through in every experience we've had with them. They kept me updated with thoughtful communication, photos, and messages, which gave me so much peace of mind. Knowing my baby was not only safe but truly loved and cared for meant the world to me. They are dependable, trustworthy, and treat our babies like family. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for exceptional dog walking or pet sitting services in OC. Thank you Jessie and team for caring for my Kenobi as if he were your own!

I cannot say enough good things about this company, owner, and staff. They are wonderful with my…read more18 year old kitty and work hard to make owners feel comfortable about the security of their pets. Very grateful for Jessie and her team.

Hi I have taken my dogs here twice and have had nothing but…read morea pleasant experience. What a tough job/business to be in. Definitely a thankless endeavor. Prices are fair and more importantly they CARE. Its no doggy Four Seasons but plenty good for my loved pups. THANKS PETOPIA !! Justin C

I left my dogs here for about a week, and overall everything was fine. They did come back having…read moregained a little bit of weight, which honestly isn't a concern and was kind of funny to me. However, I did notice that ever since coming home, both of my dogs are scared of brooms, and they have never been scared of them before. I'm not trying to speculate, but it does make me wonder if someone was using a broom to scare them or who knows. If that is the case, that is absolutely unacceptable, & that person should not be working with animals. Just a heads-up for other pet owners. If your dog is energetic or rowdy, I would personally be concerned about how they may be handled while staying here.

We've had a wonderful experience with Dog Den for the past 2 years! Our Alaskan Klee Kai absolutely…read moreloves going there for daycare and always comes home happy, tired, and excited for her next visit. The facility is very clean, and it's clear that the staff genuinely care about every dog in their care. The trainers are kind, attentive, and treat each pup like family, which gives us so much peace of mind. Whenever we travel out of state, Dog Den is our first choice for boarding. We love that they provide cameras so we can check in on our fur baby. The staff keeps everything clean, changes the towels regularly, and makes sure she is comfortable and well cared for throughout her stay. On days when she just needs some extra playtime and socialization, daycare is the perfect place for her to have fun with other doggos. We also love the photos update that were given throughout the day. We highly recommend Dog Den to anyone looking for a safe, caring, and trustworthy place for their furry family member! Great job dog den team

This daycare really impressed me with how professional and well-managed it is. They have both…read moreindoor and outdoor play areas for the dogs, and both spaces are quite large, so it doesn't feel crowded at all. The facility itself is very well equipped, with more than 100 rooms. They also have separate isolation rooms in case a dog gets sick, which helps prevent illnesses from spreading to other dogs. I thought that was a huge plus. All new dogs are required to provide vaccination records, and they also do about a 20-minute temperament assessment before joining. Based on each dog's personality, they arrange suitable playgroups instead of just mixing all the dogs together. The staff are also very professional and attentive. They keep daily records of each dog's eating habits and bathroom activity, which really gives owners extra peace of mind. Overall, it feels like a very responsible and well-organized place for dogs.

I highly recommend Ugly Dog Adventures in Orange, California. Jenn, the owner, is incredibly…read moreknowledgeable and clearly passionate about what she does which carries over to all her team. I enrolled my two, two-year-old rescue dogs in their comprehensive boarding/training program and on-going daily pack walks. The results have been fantastic. Not only were their command-response established , their unruly habits were corrected and their overall behavior became much more balanced and manageable. If you're looking for someone who truly understands dogs and can make a real difference, Jenn at Ugly Dog Adventures is the one to trust.

We love UDA! Our rescue dog was welcomed into the pack and I always knew that my dog was in good…read morehands with the team. Pack walks and boarding were always such good experiences for our girl and we will miss Ugly Dog!!

Aurora and her team were so amazing to my two small furbabies while we were away for our summer…read morevacay. Aurora was super accommodating with our schedule as we had an early flight to catch. Everyday she sent texts, photos, and even short videos on how and what the dogs were doing. My dogs are not the most social to other dogs and humans but Aurora had her amazing ways of helping dogs open up. Not only did my dogs make friends with the others dogs, I could tell my two furbabies loved Aurora when I picked them up. I whole heartedly trust Aurora to take care of my dogs and would love to take them to her not just for boarding but also daycare!

Aurora is an amazing person! She took really well of my doggies and they all love her! She always…read moresends me pictures of what they're up to. I really appreciate that because it gives me peace of mind. I will definitely bring my pets here.

We have always brought our sweet boy Cooper here (6+ years) for boarding or a bath and we have…read morealways been happy and felt that he was in good hands.

UPDATE: RESOLUTION & CONFLICTING EXPLANATIONS:…read more I'm updating my review to acknowledge that Best Friends Pet Care ultimately provided the refund we discussed. I appreciate that they followed through, and as promised, I'm updating my review to reflect that resolution. However, there's an interesting development I believe future customers deserve to know about. Following my original review, a former employee named Leah contacted me directly through Yelp to provide her perspective on what happened. During my initial communications with the business, I was given an explanation that attributed the incident to Leah calling in sick. Leah has now provided a different account. According to her message, she was scheduled to arrive at 6:30 AM, while another employee was specifically scheduled to arrive at 6:00 AM. She disputes being responsible for what happened. I've attached a screenshot of her message so readers can see her explanation firsthand. At this point, there are conflicting accounts of who was responsible for the staffing failure. I'm not in a position to independently verify either explanation, and I don't intend to speculate. What I can verify is that the service I arranged was not provided as expected, resulting in significant disruption to my travel plans. While I appreciate the financial resolution, the conflicting explanations raise additional questions about communication and accountability. I'll leave it to future customers to review the information and draw their own conclusions!