The Pooch Palace

 

3

9

Claire W.

Belmont, MA

I wanted to keep this place a secret and given it is hidden down an odd side street across from the Gore Mansion and close to Russo's I thought I could.  But now I see that there are other reviews that vary widely so I have to put in my two cents.  

I have an enormous Newf called Kobe.  He gets groomed at the Pooch Palace and this is no easy job!  First of all I don't have much money so I put it off and he is a total tangle mess by the time we get there.  Second in part because he is so large but also afraid he has to be groomed on the floor not on a table--back breaking work!  Finally he  hasn't been taught to climb stairs and the grooming is in the basement so he is traumatized by the whole stair issue.  He does not want to come here but when he comes out he is happy, clean and gorgeous!  I am sure it takes two people at times to deal with him.  In spite of all of this the people at the Palace are sweet as pie and in my opinion charge quite reasonably.  There are groomers who won't do him at all because they don't have the strength and resources.
As Tom and others comment, this is a dog focused place.  I am a dog person with a degree in Zoology and I can tell you these folks are great with dogs.
Philanthropy work wonderful.  They do a beautiful mailing each December with raffles and send a newsy letter out.  
The back yard play area is full of the happiest doggies I have ever seen, with a great dane once nuzzling a tiny lap dog both obviously delighted.  What a picture!  What a place!  What a Palace!

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0

3

Cossimo C.

Cambridge, MA

Eccentric place. I was very excited to go there but was disappointed by the grooming experience. They charged me $90 for my 15 lb dog and they told me it would be $50. I asked them to call first, but they just went ahead and charged me. And they have quiet times where no one can pick up their dog. They made me wait in my car 10 minutes, I couldn't even wait inside. Plus, they did a stinky job. Go to Boston Dog in Somerville.

The boarding aspect of it may be better though.

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Elite '08

21

105

Diane I.

Cambridge, MA

i was afraid to review this place... in case i had to go there again. but luckily i found Home Buddies and my search for the perfect boarding place has ended.

its a great concept... but the people aren't into it.  the staff doesn't seem to like their jobs, its very secretive, and oscar got a tape worm.  

not to mention if you haven't gotten all his shots, then you'll be stuck with a large vet bill from them too...

nonetheless, i still think he had an okay time. but still - we won't be back.

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5

16

Michelle M.

Silver Spring, MD

This place is awesome!  I had some trouble finding a good cageless boarding facility that separated big and little dogs near Boston (my little lady is a tad rambunctious to be playing with tiny dogs).

The people who own the place obviously adore and understand dogs.  Their big playground outside is great and the rooms where the dogs stay are very nice.  I think my dog's favorite part is that they mix homemade chicken gravy into her food (by request, of course)!  They encourage you to call and check on your dog whenever you want, which is also really nice.  

They also have day care, training, and grooming but we don't use those services.  

http://www.thepoochpal...

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4

1

Liz A.

Cambridge, MA

i really like this place - Molly loves to go visit and and they know her when I arrive (they don't so much remember me but i don't particularly care as my dog is the one on who they should lavish their care). i agree with tom about the staff - the staff may be eccentric but they really do like the dogs, and i love the cage-free environment. and i'll admit, i was a bit put-off when i first left Molly there as they weren't super-nice to me on my first visit, but again, it's not about my ego, it's about my dog's happiness.
i did have to drop a star as they forgot to give Molly her medicine once - but they apologized profusely and said it would never happen again. and it hasn't.
all in all, i feel very confident leaving Molly in their hands (and I can be a bit picky).

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