Pet boarding service · Norfolk, VA · reviewed since 2024
iHow the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 55%93+50.7Reliability 24%97+23.5Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%85+6Experts Score= 94Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.94SCORE
AGradeiLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#13 of 74 pet boarding facilitiesiPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 84%
4.9★★★★★62 Google reviews · 24 photos
94%five-star reviews
4.96★last 12 monthsiAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
0%1–2★ in 2 yearsiShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
Google reviewers rate Port Rover 4.9 out of 5 based on 62 reviews, with the owner responding to 76 percent of comments. Customers frequently praise the facility's cleanliness, punctual drop-off and pickup processes, and prompt communication through detailed daily reports and photos. Services include boarding, daycare, and grooming, with specific attention to individual pet needs such as medicated shampoos and nail trims. While pricing is noted as higher than average, reviewers consistently describe the staff as attentive and reliable, citing no common criticisms in the provided excerpts.
Google rating: 4.9 out of 5 from 62 reviews (94% five-star).
Reviews on this page: 62 Google reviews (40 with written comments, 16 with photos).
Owner responses: the business replied to 76% of reviews.
Most recent review: October 13, 2026.
Service: Pet Boarding Facility serving Norfolk, Virginia.
Data from Google, last updated October 29, 2026.
Score profile vs other pet boarding facilities
Score per factor (100 = best)iEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: value and momentum; weakest: replies to reviews.
Port RoverPet Boarding Facilities median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactioniSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Port Rover: 93/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
93
ReliabilityiReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Port Rover: 97/100 on this factor. Category median: 79.A
97
Craft & serviceiCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 96.–
–
ValueiValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Port Rover: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 98.A
100
MomentumiMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Port Rover: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsiReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Port Rover: 85/100 on this factor. Category median: 45.A
85
Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.
Star ratings
62 Google reviews we collected
4.9of 5
5 stars5894%
4 stars46%
3 stars00%
2 stars00%
1 star00%
Praise vs complaints
Phrases our text analysis found in 40 written reviews
97%praise
Praise3197%
Complaints13%
PriceiGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.
Price verdicts customers left with their Google review
100%fair
Great price747%
Reasonable853%
Overpriced00%
Not sure00%
Topic share
How often each topic comes up in the written reviews
5topics
Quality & results825%
Staff & attitude825%
Would recommend825%
Speed & response516%
Honesty & trust39%
What customers talk about
We read 40 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“The groomers here do a great job with my mini golden doodle!”
“The staff are all very kind and the facility is clean.”
“If you’re in the Portsmouth area I highly recommend them!”
“The owners are very attentive and respond to inquiries in a timely manner.”
“And I trust them completely, which is not something I give lightly.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
Reviews for your job
Customers hired Port Rover for 3 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.
TTerrance9 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 weeks ago★★★★★
It's been a very difficult logistic situation for me and my retired canine. With that in mind I searched out the folks here at Port Rover and after looking at their reviews, it seemed the smart choice. I couldn't have felt more assured after receiving my report cards and seeing how acclimated my guy has been while…
KKristin5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 weeks ago★★★★★
The owners and staff are wonderful. I've been taking my dog there for a few years now. Their daycare and boarding services are great. Kirby loves to bork it up at Port Rover
Great priceDog boardingDog daycare
HHoney3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
My dog loves coming here! The staff are all very kind and the facility is clean.
Reasonable priceDog daycare
MMaria1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★
Today was our first time utilizing Port Rover for their grooming services.
Drop off went smoothly and she was finished much quicker than I anticipated (with a cute picture and report card uploaded to the portal upon completion).
She hates getting her nails trimmed, so, I was impressed with how close they were able…
Reasonable priceDog grooming
PPamela1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 3 months ago★★★★★
My dog Sophie needed grooming as I can’t even brush her. She’s an elderly(13) blue Merle Aussie, her fur was all matted and I think she was miserable. I took her to Port Rover and it was such a bright pleasant place. Sophie went with the helper who was so kind. I went to pick her up and she looked beautiful. They…
Great priceDog grooming
KKyrie3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 5 months ago★★★★★
Absolutely love Port Rover! I take Scarlett, my husky girl, there 3 times a week and she adores the staff and being able to play with her friends. The owners are very attentive and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Will always recommend this place!
It's been a very difficult logistic situation for me and my retired canine. With that in mind I searched out the folks here at Port Rover and after looking at their reviews, it seemed the smart choice. I couldn't have felt more assured after receiving my report cards and seeing how acclimated my guy has been while being there. Thanks for making the place feel like home for my buddy Port Rover!
K
Kristin Houglum5 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kristin has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
The owners and staff are wonderful. I've been taking my dog there for a few years now. Their daycare and boarding services are great. Kirby loves to bork it up at Port Rover
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
N
Nikole DunkleyLocal Guide · 16 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Nikole has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Today was our first time utilizing Port Rover for their grooming services.
Drop off went smoothly and she was finished much quicker than I anticipated (with a cute picture and report card uploaded to the portal upon completion).
She hates getting her nails trimmed, so, I was impressed with how close they were able to get.
Overall great experience and we will return.
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog grooming
P
Pamela Matthews1 reviewiTotal number of Google reviews Pamela has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My dog Sophie needed grooming as I can’t even brush her. She’s an elderly(13) blue Merle Aussie, her fur was all matted and I think she was miserable. I took her to Port Rover and it was such a bright pleasant place. Sophie went with the helper who was so kind. I went to pick her up and she looked beautiful. They did a miracle. And she was happy and when she got home she showed off to her fur siblings. I highly recommend this place. I’m going to take the other two. Thank you Port Rover🥰
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog grooming
K
Kyrie Erfle3 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Kyrie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Absolutely love Port Rover! I take Scarlett, my husky girl, there 3 times a week and she adores the staff and being able to play with her friends. The owners are very attentive and respond to inquiries in a timely manner. Will always recommend this place!
Price assessment: Reasonable price
Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank You for the 5-Stars !! Scarlett makes everyday better !!
N
Noah Christensen15 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews Noah has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
I don’t even know what more needs to be said about this place—trusting someone with your dog says everything. And I trust them completely, which is not something I give lightly.
They’re genuinely good people who truly care about animals, and that shows in everything they do. If you’re looking for a place you can rely on without hesitation, this is it.
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank You for the great review !! Your boy is the best !! We absolutely love him !
L
LLocal Guide · 28 reviewsiTotal number of Google reviews L has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
My standard poodle goes here and only here. They have one groomer who has done poodles her whole life. For my boy I know he's in great hands here with ANY style I want for him.
Price assessment: Great price
Services: Dog grooming
Response from the owner · 3 months ago
Thank You for the great review !! Its been our pleasure working with your amazing dogs !!
