Analyzing 6,465,7806.5M ReviewsFor 17,96018K Experts
We graded 10 companies on seven things customers actually report: satisfaction, reliability, workmanship, value, momentum, track record and how owners handle complaints.
From 22,583 Google reviews of 74 top-rated pet boarding facilities nationwide; 10 of them in Norfolk, VA. Updated November 1, 2026.
Pick the job — we re-rank companies by how customers rated that exact job.
Experts Score 0–100Experts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. and a letter grade per factor (A = top 20% of pet boarding facilities).
| # | Company | ScoreExperts Score (0–100)Absolute quality first: recency-weighted star average (≈54%), share of 1–2★ reviews (≈24%), customers’ price verdicts (≈14%), owner replies to critical reviews (≈7%); minus up to 10 points each for complaints flagged in Google review highlights and for a real slide in recent ratings. Hover a company’s score on its page for the full breakdown. | FactorsFactor grades, in orderSatisfaction (54%): Recency-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.Reliability (24%): How 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.Craft & service (0%): Google 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.Value (14%): Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Momentum (0%): Penalises 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.Replies to reviews (7%): How 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.One letter per factor score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = below 20. | ★Google star rating as shown on Google Maps. | Typical billMedian bill customers of this company reported in their reviews (needs 3+ priced reviews). |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Dappy Dayz Dogs Doggie DaycareNorfolk, VA | A 98How 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 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 2 |  Claudia's Dogs - Doggy Daycare & BoardingNorfolk, VA | A 98How 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 59%99+58.1Reliability 26%96+25Value 15%100+15.2Craft & service penalty99−0.1Experts Score= 98Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAA– | 5.00 | — |
| 3 |  Port RoverNorfolk, VA | A 94How 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. | AA–AAA | 4.94 | — |
| 4 |  Camp Bow Wow Virginia BeachNorfolk, VA | A 92How 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%92+50.2Reliability 24%89+21.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%91+6.4Experts Score= 92Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AA–AAA | 4.90 | — |
| 5 |  The Ruff House Stay & Play at GreenbrierNorfolk, VA | A 87How 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%89+48.5Reliability 24%86+20.8Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%49+3.5Craft & service penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 87Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAAAC | 4.87 | — |
| 6 |  Obedient PawsNorfolk, VA | A 86How 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%90+49.1Reliability 24%91+22.1Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%47+3.3Craft & service penalty77−2.3Experts Score= 86Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AABAAC | 4.90 | — |
| 7 |  K9Aholics Dog TrainingNorfolk, VA | A 82How 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%86+46.9Reliability 24%81+19.6Value 14%100+14.1Replies to reviews 7%56+4Momentum penalty75−2.5Experts Score= 82Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AAAABC | 4.88 | — |
| 8 |  Holly Ridge Manor Canine Country ClubNorfolk, VA | B 78How 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%81+44.2Reliability 24%69+16.7Value 14%90+12.7Replies to reviews 7%59+4.2Experts Score= 78Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | AB–AAC | 4.71 | — |
| 9 |  The Ruff House Stay & Play at BaysideNorfolk, VA | B 73How 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%76+41.5Reliability 24%71+17.2Value 14%92+13Replies to reviews 7%45+3.2Craft & service penalty88−1.2Momentum penalty96−0.4Experts Score= 73Grade B: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BBAAAC | 4.72 | — |
| 10 |  Boulevard Veterinary HospitalNorfolk, VA | C 53How 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%66+36Reliability 24%50+12.1Value 14%39+5.5Replies to reviews 7%8+0.6Craft & service penalty85−1.5Experts Score= 53Grade C: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews. | BCADAF | 4.69 | — |
What customers paid, from the price Google asks reviewers to report.
| Job | Low25th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid less than this. | TypicalMedian of the bill customers reported in their Google review (Google asks reviewers for a price range; we use the middle of each range). | High75th percentile: 1 in 4 customers paid more than this. | FairOf customers who rated the price, the share who chose “Great price” or “Reasonable” rather than “Overpriced”. |
|---|
How the 10 pet boarding facilities we rated in Norfolk, VA compare, and what customers praise most.
A = score 80+, F = below 20.
Average stars per company.
Share of Google review highlights.
All price verdicts left with reviews.
Share calling it great / reasonable / overpriced.
Satisfaction (54%) — Recency-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.
Reliability (24%) — How 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.
Craft & service (penalty, up to −10) — Google 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.
Value (14%) — Customers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.
Momentum (penalty, up to −10) — Penalises 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.
Replies to reviews (7%) — How 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 10 best-rated pet boarding facilities in Norfolk, VA average 4.9★ on Google across 2,554 reviews. Claudia's Dogs - Doggy Daycare & Boarding has the top rating (5.0★), and The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside has the most reviews (674). Updated October 29, 2026.
10 companies that meet our bar: rated 4.5★ or higher on Google, with a meaningful review history (2,554 reviews combined) and currently operating. Request a call back and the company will phone you directly.
“First time here and understand why so many awards are given! I have an insecure rescue and they took the time to get to know him and his likes and dislikes ! Plenty of communication and photos. We felt at ease and…” — Google review
“Our one-year old puppy did partial board/train with K9-Aholics after developing some nervous behavior. The staff was absolutely wonderful and accommodating to our unique work schedules and ensured training was…” — Google review
“I've boarded my dogs (a puppy and a senior dog) with Claudia several times over the past year, and I've been very happy with the care and attention that they receive. They recognize her house now and they're excited…” — Google review
“My dog Fudge loves seeing his friends when he has his sleepovers here. This is the only place I board my dog at and trust him with.” — Google review
“Cannot say enough good things about Camp Bow Wow!! We took our two Cockapoos for an interview and also did the three day stay package, it was very successful, the employees are caring and friendly. The girls got a…” — Google review
“Took our labradoodle here for three weeks of bootcamp and so glad we did. Our dog had terrible manners and came back a well behaved dog, and our family was trained how to continue the positive behaviors at home. Adam…” — Google review
“The ladies at the front desk were super sweet along with the lady who took my (very anxious) dog. Super clean and very cute inside. My dog came back happy as ever. They also gave him a bath and he came back smelling…” — Google review
“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…” — Google review
“Gunner has been going to Holly Ridge since he was a puppy. He’s been to daycare, and he frequents the hotel as well. Gunner is now 7 and still wags his tail at drop off and trots back to his room without looking back.” — Google review
“I have two tabby cats. One orange and one gray/brown. The staff are always extremely friendly and knowledgeable. And the veterinarian was gracious and extremely helpful when I brought my orange tabby in for an…” — Google review
We scan Google Maps for pet boarding facility listings in and around Norfolk, keep only open businesses whose main category matches the service, and require a Google rating of at least 4.5 from at least 20 reviews. Companies are ordered by a confidence-weighted score that balances rating and review volume. We do not accept payment for placement.
Claudia's Dogs - Doggy Daycare & Boarding has the highest Google rating on our Norfolk list: 5.0 out of 5 from 110 reviews (as of October 29, 2026).
The Ruff House Stay & Play at Bayside has the most Google reviews among the companies listed here: 674, with a 4.7★ average.
Only open Norfolk-area businesses whose Google category matches the service, rated at least 4.5★ from at least 20 Google reviews. They are ordered by a confidence-weighted score of rating and review volume. Placement is never paid.
Also in Norfolk: Accountants
Analyzing 6,465,7806.5M ReviewsFor 17,96018K Experts