Petco Play

"High praise to all who have helped run Totowa Petco Playcare smoothly over the last 9 years… my dog LOVES this place! He can tell when we pull into the parking lot ‘it’s going to be a great day’! This facility is clean and properly maintained. With 3 pens (2 lrg + 1 med) that have washable doggie couches, chairs, modular cubes etc. Aside from the necessary constant clean-ups, everything (they use a hose w/environmentally friendly germ killing solutions) is also sanitized each night so it’s ready the next morning for play to begin all over again. There is a feed area ‘dining room’ where dogs are separately taken to eat in peace if you so choose to pack your pooch a lunch box with a meal/snacks. And because they are located inside of Petco, grooming services can also be obtained. I have requested a few baths or just nail clippings over the years, and it’s such a convenience to drop off my pup for Playcare and pick him up happy and groomed. And lastly, none of this well done day-to-day canine dance could be accomplished if it weren’t for the outstanding Playcare staff. All of them are dog lovers and the dogs know and love them too! They are friendly and professional and ensure everyone (not an easy task) plays nicely together. My dog returns home happy, exercised (sometimes he’s asleep on the ride home) and I believe less stressed. And I too am happy and less stressed knowing he is safe and in great care. They don’t advertise, it’s all word of mouth. They’re that good. -H.W. *Side note: Being able to play with all different canines has helped socialize my dog. A perk of Playcare that my family and friends also benefit from. For less than the cost of one walk from a dog walker you and your dog get so much more… who says money can’t buy you happiness? ;)"

"This place has been great for us. My dog comes home good and tired. Everyone there treats the dogs very well and they are attentive to the needs of other dogs with medical issues and such. Friendly, knowledgable staff, good hours for us working folks, and Sam is always happy there."

"Pooch play is a very valuable place for me and a safe environment for my dog Kiko! The staff there looks generally pleased and happy to be there and look like genuinely happy dog lovers. How could they not be being around so many big dogs would really intimidate me! As soon as I mention Pooch play to my dog Kiko his ears perked up and looks forward to getting there. Once we get to the door of Patco he knows exactly how to get to the door of Pooch play on his own desperately scratching the door to get in. Pooch play is a great service especially when it's raining for 3 or 4 days or snowing it's a great Outlet for my dog Kiko to release his stress of being in the house for too many days in a row. For only $15 for 5 hours you can't beat it. The only thing negative I have to say about Pooch play is that they're not open on Sunday."

"The idea is great, but the service is poor and does not adhere to the wonderful promises made on Petco's website. I have left my dog at this establishment several times during the past couple of months and here are my observations: 1. Dogs are separated by size and possibly temperament. While the area for the big dogs is cleaned regularly, the one for the small dogs is neglected for hours. Dogs in the small suite have peed at several places (yes, you can see it on the webcam), and no one, repeat, NO ONE, came to clean the area up or even refill the water bowls. 2. The website indicates that the employees play with the dogs to entertain them. During the 2 times that I observed the suites via webcam, no one played with either the big, but specially the small dogs. They were just laying around, bored/tired, and in their or some other dog's pee. 3. The place is understaffed. Two-three people, three suites (one of which is often closed with almost 20-30 large dogs squeezed in the other). Of them, one moves between the front desk and playsuite. As I mentioned above, the concept is great and an affordable option for some dog-owners. But, the place needs to hire more employees who genuinely enjoy their job, and who would gladly play with their canine buddies. The place is lacking in constant cleaning and replenishing of water bowls...maybe because it is understaffed? Hope the management takes the right steps to improve the quality of this invaluable service."