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The Spaw

Dog day care center · Santa Ana, CA · reviewed since 2015

How 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%79+43.1Reliability 24%75+18.2Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%31+2.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Momentum penalty87−1.3Experts Score= 76Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.76SCORE
BGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#49 of 96 pet servicesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 49%
4.8 ★★★★★ 247 Google reviews · 24 photos
92%five-star reviews
4.74★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
4.1%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
5%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

The Spaw at a glance

Google reviewers rate the facility 4.8 out of 5 based on 247 reviews, highlighting consistent praise for professional grooming, daycare, and boarding services. Customers frequently commend the staff for their kindness, punctuality, and ability to handle anxious or special-needs pets with gentle care. However, low-star feedback identifies a pattern of communication failures during long-term boarding, where promised updates and photos were not provided, alongside isolated complaints regarding missed appointments and undisclosed pet injuries.

  • Google rating: 4.8 out of 5 from 247 reviews (92% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 247 Google reviews (151 with written comments, 29 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 5% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 20, 2026.
  • Service: Pet Service serving Santa Ana, California.

Data from Google, last updated October 26, 2026.

Score profile vs other pet services

Score per factor (100 = best)Each 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 craft & service; weakest: replies to reviews.

Satisfaction79Reliability75Craft & service99Value100Momentum87Replies to reviews31Satisfaction: 79 (median 79)Reliability: 75 (median 71)Craft & service: 99 (median 96)Value: 100 (median 94)Momentum: 87 (median 100)Replies to reviews: 31 (median 47)
The SpawPet Services median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 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.The Spaw: 79/100 on this factor. Category median: 79.B
79
ReliabilityReliability · 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.The Spaw: 75/100 on this factor. Category median: 71.B
75
Craft & serviceCraft & 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.The Spaw: 99/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
99
ValueValue · 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.The Spaw: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 94.A
100
MomentumMomentum · 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.The Spaw: 87/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
87
Replies to reviewsReplies 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.The Spaw: 31/100 on this factor. Category median: 47.D
31

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

247 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars22792%
  • 4 stars114%
  • 3 stars10%
  • 2 stars00%
  • 1 star83%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 151 written reviews

  • Praise13494%
  • Complaints96%

PriceGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.

Price verdicts customers left with their Google review

  • Great price836%
  • Reasonable1150%
  • Overpriced00%
  • Not sure314%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude6646%
  • Quality & results2618%
  • Honesty & trust1813%
  • Would recommend1410%
  • Price & value96%
  • Speed & response53%
  • Communication53%

What customers talk about

We read 151 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “They provide professional and dependable service to our fur babies for over 10 years.”
  • “We’ve been coming here for years and always experienced kind, professional, and thorough staff.”
    “Horrible service, horrible communication, and we are thankful our cat is home safe.”
  • “She doesn’t tremble, she doesn’t try to pull away, and she seems genuinely comfortable when we leave her there.”
  • “I have been a customer for over 15 years and highly recommend them to anyone.”
  • “Always has my little papillon looking her best :) from what I’ve paid in the past pricing is fair.”
    “Tad pricey but they do a great job and make you feel very comfortable”
  • “I have had family emergencies and they were able to board Bowie the same day no questions asked.”
  • “I had to explain to them what it was and they still didnt understand.”

People customers mention

  • Carrie 4 reviews
  • Periscope 4 reviews
  • Whitney 3 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Reviews for your job

Customers hired The Spaw for 6 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.

Recent reviews

kimLocal Guide · 16 reviewsTotal 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. · 6 days ago★★★★★

Spaw is like family! All 4 of my let’s have been Blessed to go to Spaw and be treated like family and a King/Queen. They provide professional and dependable service to our fur babies for over 10 years.

Dario1 reviewTotal 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 week ago★★★★★

Lucky enjoyed his day at The Spaw. Always a smooth check in and pick up. Service is always great and priced well. Thank you!

Great priceDog grooming
Ingrid5 reviewsTotal 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 week ago★★★★★

We love the Spaw! Winston always loves going to daycare. Today, he got a clean up and looks amazing as always. We love the staff. They are so caring and knowledgeable. We would not take our pup anywhere else.

Great priceDog groomingOther pet daycare
Cathy3 reviewsTotal 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 week ago★★★★★

Our pup LOVES going to the Spaw for grooming and daycare. The staff is just wonderful. Our pup doesn't even care when we drop her off or come pick her up because she is too excited to see the staff and get treats at the front desk!!

Dog groomingDog daycare
aurora8 reviewsTotal 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 week ago★★★★★

Wonderful service. Professional, caring, and accommodating. The Spaw truly cares about my puppy. I highly recommend their grooming services.

Dog grooming
John2 reviewsTotal 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★★★★★

Benson & Daffodil had their pedicures today. They look fabulous. We love our Spaw day💕

Great priceDog grooming

Photos

Customer reviews

4.8 ★★★★★ 247 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
kim cartwrightLocal Guide · 16 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews kim has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Spaw is like family! All 4 of my let’s have been Blessed to go to Spaw and be treated like family and a King/Queen. They provide professional and dependable service to our fur babies for over 10 years.

Dario Gomez1 reviewTotal number of Google reviews Dario has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Lucky enjoyed his day at The Spaw. Always a smooth check in and pick up. Service is always great and priced well. Thank you!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog grooming
Ingrid Weber5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ingrid has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We love the Spaw! Winston always loves going to daycare. Today, he got a clean up and looks amazing as always. We love the staff. They are so caring and knowledgeable. We would not take our pup anywhere else.

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog grooming, Other pet daycare
Cathy Waldman3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Cathy has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Our pup LOVES going to the Spaw for grooming and daycare. The staff is just wonderful. Our pup doesn't even care when we drop her off or come pick her up because she is too excited to see the staff and get treats at the front desk!!

  • Services: Dog grooming, Dog daycare
aurora esquivel8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews aurora has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Wonderful service. Professional, caring, and accommodating. The Spaw truly cares about my puppy. I highly recommend their grooming services.

  • Services: Dog grooming
Angie8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Angie has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

*If you have a dachshund with ivdd, i reccommend this salon!* I took my Dachshund here Monday after frantically looking for a new groomer due to our last one slapping a waiver in my face and upping the charges to groom him when i said he had stage 1 IVDD. I had to explain to them what it was and they still didnt understand. They also kept insisting on using neck loops when his neuro told me to not allow groomers to use that on him. I called a few groomers near by, alot of them didnt want to groom him or didnt understand ivdd. Found The Spaw, was ready to be slapped with another waiver... but instead, the lady who i spoke to on the phone (i think her name is whittney? Im so sorry if thats wrong) knew about IVDD, she even broke down what they can do for him. She is absolutely lovely and i really can't thank you enough. Oslo just got diagnosed with this and its been a JOURNEY trying to find a grooming salon that knows about ivdd. They even put a little tag on my boy that says back issues, ivdd, so everyone knew. The communication between staff here is 10/10. He was groomed here monday and i can happily update you guys that he has no flare ups! Thank you so much for being patient with my anxiety (and oslo) aswell as taking so much time with me by answering all my questions/concerns!

  • Services: Dog grooming
John and Margaret Burnett2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews John has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Benson & Daffodil had their pedicures today. They look fabulous. We love our Spaw day💕

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog grooming
elyse reneau2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews elyse has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The only place we trust to take our babies. Ted and Maple love the Spaw!

Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago

Thank you so much! We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and leave us a review. It means so much to our team!

Barbara MacAfee3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Barbara has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Best place ever. I’ve been taking my dogs to the Spaw for over 20 years! Six dogs over the years!!

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog grooming, Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 3 weeks ago

Wow, over 20 years and six amazing dogs! We can’t thank you enough for trusting us with your pups throughout all these years. It has truly been a privilege to be part of their lives and yours. We are so blessed to have you as part of our Spaw family, and your continued support means more to us than you know!

Ginger Moyer11 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Ginger has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

The SPaw has always groomed all my pets safely & with kindness & professionalism! They really enjoy going there! I wouldn’t take them anywhere else!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog grooming

The Spaw on Google Maps →

Business details