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February 2024 by Annelise Laufer
After working for two years with another dog walking/pet sitting company, we moved out of their normal area of service, and had to find pet care on short notice. With a shy and anxious dog who is nervous of strangers and sometimes reactive to other dogs on leash, finding a trusted dog walker is no easy task. I found MMH on Yelp and gave them a call. Melissa called me back within 24 hours, and Sarah came out that week to meet me and my dog and assured me that Allison would be able to take care of our pup. As we still had a few walks scheduled with our previous walker, they even coordinated a time for Allison to join our old walker on one of their last visits and help our dog adjust to the change.Allison is amazing, and we are so lucky to have found her! She took the time to get to know and build trust with our dog. Our dog loves her, she sends the best photos and updates after each visit, and she really goes above and beyond to keep us informed of any concerns. We’ve worked with lots of great dog walkers over the years, but she is the best when it comes to communication.We have regularly scheduled weekly walking, but MMH has also always been able to accommodate our one-off requests. This is one of the benefits of working with a larger company. If we need a one-off walk, and Allison isn’t available, MMH has always been able to find someone, and Allison regularly introduces our dog to other walkers so that there are multiple people who can fill in when needed. We’ve also used MMH for overnight, in-home care, and again, MMH has always been able to accommodate our requests and we’ve had positive experiences with all the walkers/sitters so far.
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February 2024 by Aric Johnstone
My review is primarily for the management team consisting of Melissa, Elise, and Jackie (note the boarders have been largely good). My concerns with this business can be summed up as: lack of fee transparency/moving goal posts and terrible communication.I recently relocated to the area and my anxious senior pups were exhibiting signs of aggression towards one another, which I disclosed to the team ahead of our first boarding appt. Fortunately, both boarding visits went well and the second boarder raved about how sweet and calm both dogs were throughout the visit, with only some minor growling one time.Fees: Upon booking my first boarding appt, the management team added $10 per day for medical administration (for longer stays, this would amount to a day or more of total fees). I contacted them to understand why it was being added as I've never had such a fee in all the years I've been working with professional boarders, and their meds simply get mixed in with their food and there's never been a problem with them not eating it. I was told it was "industry standard" and because of the extra effort required. I reluctantly agreed but soon learned it is not industry standard (all 6 of the local boarding businesses I contacted do not charge such a fee), and this felt disingenuous. I recently made a number of additional bookings, with two bookings in march separated by 2.5 days, and without my approval, they added two additional days of dog boarding to connect the two visits. I requested an adjustment to the booking thinking it was an honest mistake, only to receive a very condescending email from management telling me in the future they would automatically book additional days if stays were not separated by 2+ days because "its in the dog's best interest", "the dogs don't eat and won't take their meds", "it causes more behavioral problems", etc... none of which were issues that my dogs have had under their care that have been reported to me or under the care of other boarders. I contacted management again to understand why their contract terms were changing and again was met with the same condescending attitude of "we've been caring for animals for XX years, we know better than you do."Communication: There have been several instances of what I would describe as clunky (at best), if not altogether unprofessional and frankly disrespectful communication by the entire management team, including Melissa herself who decided to start insulting me over the phone when I pushed back on the new 2+ days stay separation requirement. They claim their med fees are industry standard, and they know that's not true. Maybe some other boarders do it, but don't tell your customers something is industry standard when you know it's not just so they'll be ok with it. If you push back on anything with them, they'll immediately become defensive and dismissive, speaking to you like you have no idea how to care for your dogs - citing potential risks and issues that have not otherwise been noted or are issues at all. And if you persist and continue advocating for yourself as a customer, good luck, you'll be met with all manner of excuse making about why things are your fault and even likely get the owner herself insulting you over the phone.I've never had the misfortune of working with a management team like this, so I will gladly be taking my business elsewhere.1/3/24 Update: There's Melissa's response. Not surprised at all and won't take the time to point out the multiple lies and inconsistencies (I have receipts) or her not addressing key concerns I outlined and instead resorting to insults and personal attacks... again. Ask yourself if that's the kind of business you want to support. I personally won't and hope anyone who does business with them doesn't have service issues because this is the person you'll get to try to resolve them with. Also note that many of the 5 star reviews here are from her em
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February 2024 by Paul Garcia
I do not know where to start... since joining Melissa's Mutt Hutt earlier last year, Melissa and her team were very welcoming and made it know they were excited for me to join them. Everyone is very helpful, training was informative, which lead to me never feeling uncomfortable branching on my own. I have had been lucky to work with great clients and their pups. I mainly board dogs in my home, and they are all well trained and have not had any issues. You should feel 100 percent comfortable having MMH take care of any of your pets!
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January 2024 by J R
Melissa's Mutt Hutt & Cat Shack has been serving the beloved four legged family members of the South Bay area since 2004 and it is of little surprise. From top to bottom, each member of this team is passionate about providing the highest level of service and care. It has been my experience that the management team goes out of their way to make sure that each client is well informed about fees, policies, and services. They return messages in a reasonable amount of time and make sure that any and all concerns or questions are thoroughly addressed. The staff are all carefully selected, vetted, and trained to provide the highest level of care while maintaining safe handling practices. The attention taken to ensure each staff member is trained to handle any situation they may be confronted with while caring for a family's fur babies is extraordinary. Their devotion to animals and advocacy to provide a gold standard for care is apparent in every aspect of this business; from the management team and staff, to the range of care that is provided. This is a phenomenal group of people. I highly recommend using their services.
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January 2024 by Rika
I’ve been working for MMH for almost a year, and I have nothing but positive things to say!Melissa is nice, honest and just such a great person to work for.. If I ever have an issue or concern, It is dealt with promptly and professionally!I really believe that everyone on the team truly loves animals and I am always spreading the word about how wonderful MMH is (:If you are ever in need of a pet sit, pet board or dog walk, try MMH!
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February 2023 by Laura Elaine DeSilets
Why do I get stuff. Never worked here or used services. Got email looking for invoice. No replyFinally got reply. Thank you. You were pleasent.
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June 2022 by Kim F.
I could not love this team any more than I already do. From the start-Melissa spoke to me about my girls and really listened. I mean-actually listened! Then Sarah showed up with a notepad! Talk about attention to detail, she met with my girls then paired me up with the most amazing walkers! You know how you are nervous about letting people you don't know in your house to take care of YOUR babies? Well-I don't know what we did in life to deserve the angels we got but LAURA-I LOVE YOU! The trust and care that comes through their very detailed walk, the funny stories we hear along the way and the way she tells the stories of my girls from their point of view has me cracking up! WOW!!!! We have offically adopted Laura into our family. Not only is she truly a godsend, she LOVES my girls (almost) as much as I do. She will lovingly talk to them, care for them if they're feeling sick and walk as much or as little as the girls dictate. She's incredibly thoughtful, generous and kind. Folds the girls blankets for them when they scuff them up and plays with them. I know we are in such great hands because of thoughtful and good hearted people like Laura, Melissa, Sarah and Sinead. From the bottom of my heart to the tips of my girls tail wags, we love you all so much! Thank you for making my move to LA so easy for my girls and to help them get settled in to. You are my angels here on earth! Also-the app is really such a great touch. It makes everything central and so efficient. I love getting gps updates, potty break schedules and most of all pictures! Love, love, love them! It's become a thing with my coworkers letting me know it's "about time for an update" and I get to show them how the girls day was going. You guys ROCK!!!!
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February 2022 by Ryan Nosler
Great experience.
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February 2022 by Emma Wakely
Great service from their staff whether you need a dog walker or a dog sitter/boarding! My dog always has the best time and they can always make something work!
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September 2021 by Holly B.
If you're looking for reliable and loving cat care, look no further. I'm absolutely thrilled with the customer experience at Melissa's Mutt Hut and Cat Shack. Chelse took care of my shy kitty for a week while I was traveling. This is a cat that usually hides when anyone but me is in the house, but by day two, Chelse was fully snuggling with her. Absolutely amazing! I was able to relax on my trip because I knew my cat was in good hands. 10/10 would recommend.
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September 2021 by Adam Barker
We have been working with Melissa's Mutt Hutt for the past 6 months for daily walks and last minute boarding at a walker's house when away for the weekend. They are very responsive communicating through the app or via email/text when last minute and send wonderful updates. I can tell from the way they welcome my pet when they come to pick her up that these people are genuine dog lovers and passionate about the work they do.
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September 2021 by Melissa Sheehan
Today, August 12, 2021 we start our 18th year in business. I am so very PROUD to own and operate this Business. We do private dog boarding (for dogs under 40 pounds) cat visits and pet sitting with 36 licensed and bonded uniformed staff. I adore my staff, and know you will too!
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September 2021 by Lynn Murphy
Would highly recommend the "Cat Shack" aspect of Melissa's services. We have been using the services for in-house pet setting for our three spoiled cats whenever we are away, and the services are the best! We have found Melissa's Cat Shack -- and Chelse -- to be extremely accommodating to the particular personalities of our cats, and attentive to their every need. We receive multiple daily reports and updates on the cat's activities, along with several photos. The services are top-notch and give us great peace of mind.
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September 2021 by Mikaela Wolf
If you want the best care for your pets, call "Melissa's Mutt Hutt" right now. Melissa and her wonderful and caring sitters have taken care of my cats for years now. It really puts me at ease knowing my boys are in such competent and caring hands when I'm traveling, often out of the country. I still feel guilty leaving my fur babies, of course, but knowing that the Mutt Hutters spoil and shower them with love gives me peace of mind. In addition to loving my boys the sitters are very knowledgable when it comes to behavioral issues and administering medicine. (One of my late cats was diabetic and needed insulin shots twice a day.) Melissa and her sitters care deeply about pets and I wouldn't give my pets in anybody else's hands.
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September 2021 by Linds E.
I love Melissa's Mutt Hutt! I'm so glad to have found a close, local business whom I can trust to take care of my buddy when I can't. We've used Melissa's Mutt Hutt on a variety of occasions and they have been great. Both Chelse and Paloma have been great! Very responsive and attentive!
