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    The Spaw

    4.6 (615 reviews)
    Open 7:00 am - 6:30 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

    Services - The Spaw

    Dog daycare

    Pet boarding

    The Spaw Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - The Spaw

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    Reviews With Photos

    Rocco after a weekend at The Spaw!
    Anshu E.

    It's been more than 10 years at The Spaw for us and as I was reading through the reviews I was shocked at a 1 star review! We board our cat and dog only here, and yes, there might be some communication glitch, but the level of care is very high. You can always call or talk to Carrie and find out what happened. All the ladies there are friendly and my pets love them. I still call Carrie and bug her when I have any questions about my pets general care and health. She gives me better info than my vet! Rocco and Mittens will not board or be groomed anywhere else!

    Outstanding, Compassionate Care! I had Jennifer as our groomer. She was extra patience and caution since our furbaby has a heart condition. Her approach is completely client-centered and incredibly thoughtful. She truly prioritize my dog's comfort and well-being. On top of the wonderful care, the grooming itself is always excellent. She always double checked how short I wanted his hair and always references the notes the staff takes on his last trimming. The haircut is absolutely perfect, the nail trimming is expertly done, and my dog comes home looking clean and beautiful. The entire operation is super professional, organized, and always timely. If you want a skilled groomer who truly cares, this is the place to go!

    Sammy after his grooming :D
    Rylee M.

    Shortly after i adopted my dog Sammy from the shelter, we were looking for dog groomers in the area. What a blessing to have stumbled upon The Spaw! We were so warming greeted by Carrie and you could tell how much her and the staff love the animals and their jobs. We always felt he was in good hands. Sammy has now passed but we will always be grateful for the wonderful and kind service we received for almost 10 years.

    Dakota loves daycare at The Spaw
    Chelsea V.

    This is the only place that I trust with my dog. For boarding. For haircuts. For dental cleanings. The only place! Carey is absolutely wonderful and truly cares about the health and well-being of animals. She is a ball of knowledge and shares that knowledge with her clients. Carey is also one of the main reasons that I switched my dog's food over to raw meat over 4 years ago and why I will continue to do so. Hands down, the best place for all dogs and cats!

    Best groomers EVER
    Nicole A.

    Absolutely ADORE the spaw and every single person that works there. The fact that they require a little "seminar" and test day care run first alone speaks volumes of the care everyone has for all the fur babies there. They truly put the animals first which I adore. I've learned so much from everyone there. Cannot recommend this place enough!

    Charlie the Aussie

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    13 years ago

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    Business owner information

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    Carrie H.

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    Carrie H.

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    Carrie H.

    Noodle, Noodle we love you little noodle

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    I love buying my dogs raw food here! Great selection and prices are a bit cheaper then some independent pet stores.

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    Page 4 of 16

    Ask the Community - The Spaw

    How much is a dog grooming with bath & teeth brushing?My little guy is 20 lbs.

    My dog is also 20 pounds and a complete grooming is in the 71.00-76.00 range and is well worth it.

    Does The Spaw groom cats as well?

    Hello, Yes we do groom cats. The prices vary depending on type of haircut, or if there is any matting, fleas or in need of medicated baths. In addition to our grooming service, all kitties get to use the Jungle after they are all groomed. This… 

    What is the price of boarding for 1 dog? The website doesn't work on my computer or phone. Thank you!

    My experience is with baths only; however I LOVE The Spaw. Everyone on the staff cares about the doggies. I have taken my 14+ year old lab for her baths for a few years. I have such a comfort level when I leave her there. They are very… 

    What's the price of daycare?

    WOULD NEVER TAKE MY DOG HERE AGAIN . VERY INCONSISTENT. BUTCHERED HIS HAIRCUT. SLANDERED ME WHEN I GAVE AN ACCURATE REVIEW ON YELP. THEN GOT PUSHED TO NOT RECOMMENDED

    View All 8 Questions

    Review Highlights - The Spaw

    I trust Carrie and her team with my dog's life and Carrie has personally helped my dog's skin and gut issues.

    Mentioned in 108 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    OC Paw House - Celebrating Rocky's birthday

    OC Paw House

    (114 reviews)

    I was looking for dog boarding at the very last minute and Wendy was very accommodating in taking…read morein my 2 dogs. I literally booked with her 2 days before the stay. My 54 lb Jindo does not do well with strangers, she is all bark but no bite. I was very anxious bringing her to any dog care but Wendy was willing to do an assessment prior to their stay. This was my very first time doing any sort of dog care so I was really worried about leaving them. They did really well and my other dog had so much fun (he's a social butterfly). The main reason I chose this place vs all the other dog boarding is because they offer a "home" living experience rather than a facility/warehouse. My dogs always freely roams the house and lays on our bed, couch, wherever they please so I wanted something similar and Wendy's house provided that. I couldn't bare the thought of them being kept in a narrow sleeping quarter locked throughout the day. Thank you for taking great care of my babies! This place will definitely be my go-to for any future dog boarding.

    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.

    Sweet Tails Pet Sitting

    Sweet Tails Pet Sitting

    (32 reviews)

    After moving to Orange, I needed a cat sitter right away and had Christina recommended to me on…read moreNextDoor by multiple people. I am so grateful I found her! She recommended our vet to me as well, and I have been so happy with the vet she suggested! She actually gave multiple recommendations so i have back ups if needed. She's cared for my 3 cats multiple times and I can tell my kitties love her, which is the most important thing! She always sends me pics and keeps me updated while I'm away. She cared for my senior cat when she was sick and in her final week and gave me detailed updates so I knew when to cut my trip short to some home to her, cared for my new kitten, cleaned up broken glass and a lot of kitty barf, cleaned up when ants where going after the cat food, and showed my kitties lots of love! I always come home to empty trash cans, clean litter boxes and happy kitties. She even gave me a housewarming gift and gifted my kitties Christmas treats and toys! Christina is wonderful and I trust her 110% with my kitties and my home. I appreciate her so much because as much as I miss my kitties when away, I have peace of mind knowing she's there to keep them happy and safe! When my kitties broke a vase and she came in to broken glass everywhere, she let me know right away and made sure my cats were OK and had no cuts first, then did a wonderful job cleaning up (I didn't find any glass when I got home!) And she's just a nice person too - whenever I'm on the phone with her, we always end up chatting about her kitties too, so I know she's truly a "cat person" (which not all my pet sitters have been.) Cannot recommend her enough! Be sure to schedule as early as possible, she's so great the holidays and peak vacation times always book up quickly!

    Christina has been a fabulous pet sitter for us the past 5 years. It's hard to trust anyone with…read moreyour babies, but she makes it so much easier. Professional and detailed, she makes sure all the necessities are in order before she needs to come, and then makes sure all your concerns are managed while she is there. Reassuring photos and messages are just icing on the cake, but the truth is in the happy healthy pets you have when you come home. We have 2 cats and 1 kitten and just came back from a 12 day trip. Cats had just been through some major health issues, and I was Sooo glad she was there daily keeping an eye on them, and knew exactly who my vet was and was even familiar with the local vet ER. She's responsible reliable and caring. Just ask our Cats!

    Critter Sitters - Duke the Dog

    Critter Sitters

    (70 reviews)

    Sarah and Maria are the best!…read more I really appreciate them coming through for us at the last minute when we needed help with our pet leopard gecko. Finding reliable reptile care in Orange County is rare, so I'm especially thankful they were able to help. Maria deserves a special shout-out because she handled all the legwork and immediately put me at ease with her reptile experience. From her very first visit, she took care of everything perfectly. I would give her more than five stars if I could! I highly recommend Critter Sitters for reptile pet sitting. We'll be bringing our dog in for pet sitting next time, and I'll definitely be back with another review--but for reptile care, you're absolutely in great hands with Maria. Steve R.

    This was my first time ever leaving my dogs with a professional dog-sitting company, and I was…read morehonestly nervous. Ever since my older dog was diagnosed with diabetes, it has been so stressful trying to find someone I can truly trust to care for her. I knew I needed someone reliable while traveling out of the country, and I'm so grateful I found this company. Maria was incredible--she sent multiple photos and updates every single day, which meant so much to me. She was thorough, attentive, and I could genuinely tell how much my pups adored her. It was such a relief to be able to fully relax on my trip knowing my dogs were being loved and cared for as if they were her own. Highly recommend!

    Bow Wow's & Whiskers Pet Care - Isabelle hiding from me

    Bow Wow's & Whiskers Pet Care

    (13 reviews)

    Rosanne or Bow Wow's and Whiskers is the best kept secret in Irvine! That is because no pet owner…read morewants to lose her. We have been so fortunate to have Rosanne care for our many cats, including those with medical issues for almost 20 years. As a vet tech. and trained professional, I can trust her advice and know she has the best interest of my animal in mind. Travelling internationally, I have absolute confidence she will turn up, never let me down, care for my cat and home and inform me of any potential issues. She is detailed, conscientious, totally honest and best of all, she actually spends time playing with your pet! A fantastic pet sitter! Laurie, CA

    It's hard to put everything we feel about Rosanne into just a few words. She has cared for our…read morefurry cat children for the past 27 years! She's been with us as we suffered the loss of 3 of our babies over the years, and she has become a part of our family in many ways. Our current kitties, Isabella and Mary, are now 17 and 18 years old respectively, and Rosanne has cared for them since they came to us 17 years ago. Whenever we're away, she lives in our home, giving them the comfort and security they need. Knowing she's here when we're not gives us the same sense of comfort and security. Rosanne cares for the girls in every way. As a licensed and caring Vet Technician, we trust her judgement completely. She has advised and guided us in their care so many times over the years. Rosanne is committed to the care of the animals in her charge - she is a true professional, and more importantly, she LOVES all of the furry babies in her care. She also takes cares of our home like it's her own. She's licensed, bonded and insured. But the best part of Rosanne is . . . Rosanne. We absolutely treasure her, and cannot recommend her highly enough! Sincerely, Michael and Judy McLane May 6, 2023 Irvine, CA

    Paw Sweet Paw Pet Resorts - His general look

    Paw Sweet Paw Pet Resorts

    (581 reviews)

    Great grooming and bathing services. Have been coming here for 5 years+ for both my dogs. They do a…read moregreat job with our corgis with shaping them and making them nice and clean. Very friendly staff as well, have never had an issue. Here is Harper after a bath below!

    We've been bringing our pups to the Jamboree location for quite a while, and up until the beginning…read moreof this year, we had nothing but positive experiences. Last year, we brought them frequently and always felt confident leaving them there. The staff was friendly and welcoming, the facility felt clean, and our dogs always seemed happy to be there. That's why it's so disappointing to see how much things have changed since the ownership transition. Since the change in ownership, we've noticed a significant decline in the overall experience. The staff no longer feels as friendly or approachable. While there are still a few kind employees, several team members come across as cold and unhelpful, making drop-off feel uncomfortable and even a bit intimidating. It no longer feels like the warm, welcoming environment it once was. We've also noticed the facility doesn't seem nearly as clean as it used to be. Our dogs consistently come home smelling strongly of urine after daycare. We occasionally check the live cameras throughout the day and frequently see urine sitting on the playroom floors for extended periods before being cleaned up. If messes in the common play areas are left unattended, it raises concerns about how often the kennels are being cleaned when the dogs are resting. Combined with the odor our dogs come home with, it has made us question the overall cleanliness of the facility. Another noticeable change is how little time our dogs now seem to spend in the play areas. We'll pay for a half-day of daycare, and by the time we pick them up, we're lucky if they've spent more than 30 minutes interacting with other dogs. The majority of their visit appears to be spent kenneled. We choose daycare because we want our dogs to have a safe, clean environment where they can socialize and play. If they're spending most of their visit in a kennel, it's difficult to justify paying for daycare when they could be comfortably resting at home in a cleaner environment for free. Customer service has also become frustrating. Recently, one of our dogs came home without his collar. We didn't realize it until we got home, so we called the facility and were told someone would call us back because they were too busy at the moment. We never received a callback. After calling several more times over the next few days without getting an answer, we ultimately had to drive to the facility ourselves just to ask about and retrieve the collar. Pickup has also become much slower than it used to be, often requiring a long wait before our dogs are brought out. We're genuinely disappointed because we loved this location for a long time and trusted the team with our pets. Unfortunately, since the ownership change, we've experienced a noticeable decline in cleanliness, customer service, and the overall level of care. We hope these concerns are taken seriously because we'd love to see this location return to the high standard that made us loyal customers in the first place.

    Wags and Wiggles - Tustin - Tuzo with Wags & Wiggles staff card and favorite toy.

    Wags and Wiggles - Tustin

    (424 reviews)

    We absolutely love Wags & Wiggles in Tustin! I've had such a great experience with their daycare,…read moreboarding, and group training classes! The front office staff is always friendly, helpful, and informative, and their communication is amazing all around! I especially want to give a huge shoutout to Santanna and Ranaye. They are both so wonderful and have always made us feel welcomed and cared for. You can tell they genuinely love the dogs and what they do, and that means so much to me. We have been taking Nosework group class with Steve and it's been so much fun! Scooter gets really into it and she's so eager to please. We've really enjoyed the variety of classes offered at Wags and Wiggles! I would absolutely recommend them to anyone looking for daycare, boarding, or training!

    Dad will take a bullet for wags and wiggles (W&W). Me? Not so much, not that I don't love them and…read morethey don't take absolute great care of me, but because dad's already on that. Let's not have too many chefs in the kitchen). LOOK AT THIS BIRTHDAY DAYDAY PHOTOSHOOT - Waffles the corgi. Switching over to Waffdad now... In all seriousness wags and wiggles is amazing in everything they do. Waffles is not a, what say you... level 1 dog parent dog, you know the kind of "dandelion" you give food, potty, and water. She is the dog where you need take the derivative, integrate, multi variable calculus, oops you forgot to do the math proof and now she has bad poops. So, the extreme detailed and precise care W&W provides is so, so invaluable. They're really great people :)

    The Spaw - groomer - Updated September 2026

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