What a great experience! I have been looking for a good grooming salon for my 2 tiny dogs for quite awhile. This place exceeded all of my expectations. I was able to get an appointment for grooming and haircuts a week out - which is unheard of at many other places I had called. Katie was just great to deal with - the dogs loved her right away too - which is really saying something coming from my dogs. I picked the dogs up 2 hours later as agreed - they were both ready to go - looking and smelling great! I am delighted to have found this puppy salon! read more

BEWARE: I feel compelled to write down my experience and warn other people. I'm sure the owner is going to do everything in her power to discredit my words, but if you value and cherish your dogs, do not take them here. I decided to try Velvet Paws after reading all the 5 star reviews. I made an appointment for my two mild mannered Cairn Terriers. I will never take my dogs here after what I would call an extremely unprofessional experience. Here are my observations: + I was quoted $65 per dog over the phone when I made the appointment, which is what I had paid other groomers in the past. When I met with Katie, I told her that one of my dogs had some matted fur, so she said that for both dogs it would be around $150. I assumed $20 more for the mats, which I am used to paying extra, but usually it's around $5-10. Okay, so not that big of a deal but still on the high side. And again, all those 5 star reviews led me to believe that it would be worth the extra money. + Katie also informed me that she doesn't take plastic. In this day and age I would call this VERY unusual, and she should have told me when I made the appointment. So now I would need to make a trip to the bank to take out cash. + Initially I was told that the dogs would be ready at 11 am, then I received a text that it would be11:30 am. I communicated via text that I was leaving an appointment and would be there closer to noon. I arrived at 11:55am. Katie's hours are 9-12pm. She also texted that it would be more than the $150 she quoted me because the matted dog took longer. And she left an extremely "annoyed" phone message wanting to know where I was... I saved it and replayed for my husband. You can hear the impatience in her voice. It was scary sounding and I started to worry for my dogs. + When I arrived, she told me that the price was now $165. for both dogs (because the matts took longer to brush out? so I ended up paying $35 more? that's insane, he's a 26lb dog). She seemed incredibly annoyed that I did not get there at 11:30, that I ran 25 minutes late, even though her limited business hours are listed 9am - noon. When I apologized, she said she had "other things to do", shuffled my dogs to me without ever asking what I thought of the cut (it was horrible, they basically both were shaved, and unevenly which my husband pointed out later). She also said that she had to muzzle one of my dogs when she brushed him out. That's a first. My dogs are 9.5 years old and have never been muzzled during a grooming session. I can only imagine he may have been sensing her impatience, anger or negative energy. + When I asked for change from $170 cash, I heard an audible sigh, yes....a loud AUDIBLE sigh (the price was so off from what I usually pay, that I wasn't tipping). She seemed irritated that I would ask for $5 back. Handing me the cash she never smiled, nor said "thanks for coming in" and more importantly, she never asked what I thought of their new "cuts" (basically they were both shaved like I said above). + My dogs collars and leashes were not put back on them. I've never been given back "loose" dogs. It seemed like she was super upset that I was not there right on the dot of 11:30 to pick them up even though her hours are till noon (and I was there before noon), and that this last courtesy was too much for her to do. She acted like waiting for me was the biggest imposition anyone has ever done, and had she been able to take plastic, I would not of had to make a run to the bank in the first place. I have two sweet Cairn Terriers, I will never take them here again. The place is sketchy from the outside, it looks like a dirty strip mall. Inside is not much better. And I don't believe all the 5 star reviews on this page. It's not sitting right with me, and feel compelled to speak up so that others know the truth. In closing, here are my complaints - Price (much higher than the $130 I was quoted. You would of thought one of my dogs was a giant ball of matts to charge $35 more than what she said on the phone.) - sketchy, strip mall place, with odd hours - Cash or check only - rude and unprofessional groomer - shaved, not a cut read more

We brought our 1 year old, very active Australian Shepard/Border Collie to the Velvet Paw for his first grooming and had a great experience. The owner is very personable, asked the right questions, and had Ozzie ready to pick up when she said. Highly recommended! Only downside was that it took 2 weeks to get an appointment. I guess that shows how popular the place is. The experience was well worth the wait. read more

I read the one negative review posted here and although I don't usually write reviews, I feel compelled to defend this business. Katie has been bathing and cutting my collie/spaniel mix for over three years and this business does not deserve a negative review. Here's why I love it: 1) Appointments are short- this is great! At 12 years old, I feel bad having my dog locked in a cage for a whole day if the bath and cut only takes a few hours. 2) Small groups: Unlike some groomers, there is usually only one or at most two other dogs there at the same time. Less noise, calmer environment and less stress for my dog. 3) Katie: My dog doesn't like the groomer, he gets really stressed out and will try to hit the breaks as soon as we get in the door. Not here, he loves Katie, wags his tail when he sees her, and goes right in the back when she opens the gate for him. He's been to groomers his whole life, and I have never seen this from my dog anywhere else. 4) Good work, reasonable prices. My dog looks good, smells good, and feels soft when he comes home. Katie will ask what kind of cut you want, and make any changes at your request. It's true that she doesn't take credit, but if you go in knowing that, I don't see it that as an inconvenience. My shaggy old dog and I are very happy here, and wouldn't go anywhere else! read more

The owner squeezed Ellie Bluebell in at the last moment on a Friday! She did a very thorough job, and I was impressed that the low rate for a small short haired dog includes nails, ears, and checking "the gland" (ewww). Very knowledgable about breeds and a great bedside manner with Ellie. She came home so pretty, but not vain. I can't wait to take her again. read more

Pasha (my dog) has been seeing Katie for a little less than 2 years. She has always come home very happy and beautiful. Katie does a great job and takes much less time than the other groomers. read more

Yesterday was my first visit to The Velvet Paw for my dog and I am so happy with the results! Katie is fantastic, as a business woman and a groomer. My dog has very sensitive skin and has had problems in the past with post grooming infections, I explained this to Katie and she took extra special care with him and he looks and feels great! Katie is a one of a kind and I am so happy to have found such a special place! We will be back! Tiki gives her his paws up!! read more

I've heard nothing but amazing things from clients on this place! Such wonderful place and premium customer service! Love to hear that in a business for us to refer clients to! read more

Katie is very kind and professional and she does a fantastic job! My dog has never looked better than he did when she cut his hair. Unfortunately, he got too nervous and bit her this last time around, so I didn't get to have a completed groom, but Katie was really nice about the whole situation. She gave me pointers and also just charged me for a bath which I appreciated. read more

I loved this place! Went to a groomer near my house and my Maltipoo came home with an uneven cut and much too short. Katie did an amazing job on Cici! She is a high anxiety dog and I came to pick her up and she was very happy. There was only one other dog there, rather than several upset in kennels, and Cici was calm and happy and so fluffy and clean! I watched Katie finish the second dog through the large window, and she waved me to please wait when i pulled up so the dogs would not get worked up. I loved her understanding of dogs and her gentle hand that I was able to watch. I loved the haircut, brushing, everything. I will certainly being my girl back for all touch-ups and grooming needs. read more

Katie is an amazing groomer!! I have taken my shih tzu to numerous places over the years having lived in a few cities since I've had my dog. She has him done quickly and pretty much perfectly--nice, even cut, his nails are in great shape, and she trims closely around his eyes/nose!! I would definitely recommend The Velvet Paw!! read more

My dog is a little over 20 lbs., but he is a huge pain in the ass to groom. I've taken him to The Velvet Paw for the past year, and it's been great. Katie gets his nails shorter than anyone else I've brought him to. It's an easy location to miss when you're driving by, but don't let that stop you from bringing your dog here--Katie seems very experienced with keeping dogs relaxed during the grooming process, something you probably aren't going to get at Petco/Petsmart. read more

I would take my dog here again, if I could. Unfortunately he bit Katie, the owner. He is a small dog, and the bite thankfully did not break the skin, but she wisely declined to finish his grooming and referred me to another groomer. I could plainly see that this groomer knew what she was doing and was very good with animals. I wish Lucky had been a little more polite! read more

My friendly but sensitive Havanese loves the Velvet Paw. We had a wonderful groomer prior to this, but she went on maternity leave and her replacement left my dog extremely fearful of going near a groomer. I don't know what they did to him there, but he was so terrified, I tried grooming him myself. I quickly discovered that I can bathe him fine, but that's about it. He needs a pro for his curly hair and nail trimming. We've now been to the Velvet Paw 3 times and he's always happy and bouncing around like a puppy when I pick him up. read more

I am a pet care provider here in Seattle and I have to give kudos for the very good first ever grooming of a puppy client of mine today. Daisy looks wonderful. A big five for you, VP! read more

We were new customers last week. Haircut was the best she had ever had. Will definitely go back regularly to The Velvet Paw.

If you have a dog that gets stressed out at the groomer, try this place! Katie scheduled our dog in about a week, had a 2 hour turnaround (the fastest of any groomer he's seen), gave him a great cut and my dog was happy and full of energy when I picked him up. Couldn't ask for anything more, we'll definitely be back- thanks Katie! read more

I thought The Velvet Paw was a great little groomers. I took my dog in for a nail clipping, and the woman who helped me was great. She was very patient with a dog that was not very excited about getting a mani-pedi. The nail clipping was $10, beware though that they only accept cash or check. read more