The Downtown Paw — Local services in Malden

We have a toy breed (Papillon), so when I started looking for a day care, finding a place that addressed both his puppy-ness and his tiny-ness was critical. Yoshi was 4 pounds (and 4 months old) when he started, so I was invested in finding a facility that truly understood how to handle tiny dogs that play just as hard as their larger friends...and that had enough expertise to ensure that a baby doesn't get overwhelmed.

Downtown Paw had a great word-of-mouth reputation for exactly this, so we started doing half days with their puppy program. Yoshi - our dog - has loved it from day one. They do such a great job making sure that our pocket-sized friends have time to play and socialize, and organize fun experiences that have really helped improve his (admittedly--already somewhat inflated) self-confidence. The puppy program was really great - introducing him to grooming tools, being on the table, and basic training techniques. They even do fun enrichment - one example is when they set up a tiny tribe agility course so the little ones could try it out, and it was so cute seeing the Instagram reels (we have subsequently done an official try-it class for agility, since Yoshi loved it so much, and he will continue on with the sport this fall!).

We have also done boarding at Downtown Paw, and had a great experience. A few times a day, I received pictures/short videos of Yoshi (always doing his papillon smile and clearly enjoying life!), and it made me feel so much better knowing he was staying with people (and playmates) that he really loved. At the time, he was having some digestive issues because of teething, and the staff was wonderful with handing it. While Yoshi was happy to see us when we came back, he was also still having a fun day at daycare and was interested in playing a LITTLE bit longer--a clear sign he had a terrific experience. We will definitely be boarding here in the future!

Finally, we've done nail trims and a deluxe bath here, and great experiences all around. Their grooming salon is staffed with folks who really love the dogs they work on, and it shows...Yoshi is absolutely smitten with the same people doing nail trims, which says a lot about their excellence(especially since he's not the biggest fan of pedicures!).

Downtown Paw is a perfect place for everyone and every dog, but as a toy breed owner, I can vouch for how wonderful they are with the smallest members of the canine community.

(Photos show Yoshi at daycare...and how gloriously tired...

We brought our five year old cat here for a bath and it was a nightmare! The groomer took our number and said she’d call when the cat was ready. We never received a phone call and a few hours had passed so we just went in. Our cat was waiting in her carrier right next to where all the dogs were barking on the other side of the gate. The groomer had “taken off early” and left the cat there said the lady in charge of doggy daycare. The cash register wasn’t working so we paid with credit card. When we got home the cat’s paws were sopping not even wiped down and the cat was damp all over. I called and left a message for the owner but didn’t hear back. I called a week later and rather then apologizing she was quick to offer us a half refund. That was missing the point. Our cat had been put in a dangerous situation. She was left next to a mob of barking dogs so that the groomer could take off early and left wet in zero degree weather. Not a place to take your cat. When the owner offered us a refund she said “in cases like this we offer a half refund.” So things like this have happened there before We didn’t call for a refund but rather to express concern about the groomer. So it didn’t help. We weren’t...

I think this place is primarily for dogs, which is fine but if you cannot provide expert care for cats don’t offer cat grooming services. My long haired cat has been regularly groomed and bathed in the past. Recently, his matted hair got out of control so we opted for a lion cut with a bath. Front desk girl was really sweet during drop off and pick up but the groomer was clearly agitated working with my cat and condescending when speaking with me. Since my cat was in so much distress they only did the lion cut shave and not the bath, but the groomer was adamant my cat had never been bathed or groomed even when I said multiple times he has been to groomers regular for grooming and bathing. She asked “where was your cat groomed before?” When I mentioned the name, she goes “never heard of it”. Not my problem, lady. She was pissing me off so I understand why my cat was pissed off too. Cats can read energies. The cut itself was fine. Coordinating appt was fine. Front desk girl was kind. However, I will not be back because the groomer has a bad attitude and poor...