Watchung facilities
🐕

In My Paws

1565 US-22, Watchung, NJ 07069

4.5
469 Google reviewsGoogle Verified
Cage-freeLive webcamOutdoor yardPool / water playSmall dog areaAccepts puppiesGroomingClimate controlledOnline booking

Overview

In My Paws in Watchung, NJ offers cage-free boarding with climate-controlled suites, structured daycare playgroups separated by size, and professional grooming services. The facility requires spay/neuter by 4 months and has a temperament test for daycare, with 10+ years of operation and family-owned management.

Amenities & Policies

Cage-free
WebcamLive stream
Staff overnight
Outdoor yard
Pool / water play
Small dog area
Accepts puppies4+ months
Reactive breeds
Medication admin
Grooming
Training
Climate controlled
Overnight potty breaks
Online booking
Spay/neuter required
Temperament test

Required vaccinations: Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella

Policies & Details

Hours & Billing

Drop-off hours:Check-in 12pm-5:30pm (weekdays) and 10am-4pm (weekends)
Pick-up hours:Before 12pm to avoid fees
Checkout time:12 pm
Late pick-up fee:$5 per hour
Billing method:Per night

Cancellation & Deposits

Cancellation notice:3 days notice
Cancellation penalty:Forfeits deposit for holiday/peak dates without 7 days' notice
Deposit required$15 per night
Holiday surcharge

Care & Play

Group play
Solo play
Comfort items allowed
Feeding policy:House food available

Requirements

Spay/neuter policy:Required at 4 months

Safety & Emergency

Emergency vet protocol:Nearby clinic
Emergency vet cost:Owner
Fire safety system

Extras

Multi-dog discount50 % OFF for additional pets while sharing an accommodation
Owner operated

What Reviews Say

468 reviews analyzed

In My Paws is a dog boarding, daycare, and grooming facility in Watchung, New Jersey. Based on an analysis of 468 reviews and 1 Q&A, the facility earns strong scores for staff friendliness (4.8/5), dog happiness (4.7/5), drop-off/pickup (4.6/5), and cleanliness (4.6/5). The most frequent positive themes are the caring and friendly staff, dogs' excitement to visit, and excellent grooming results. Owner response rate is high (approximately 85%) with a professional tone and average response time of about 2.5 days. Concerns include inconsistent pricing and unexpected upcharges, some instances of rude staff/owner behavior, occasional poor grooming quality, and several red flags such as dog injuries during grooming, kennel cough outbreaks, a dog mix-up incident, and one tragic death of a dog after a boarding stay. The overall safety score is 4.0/5, reflecting significant negative incidents that temper otherwise excellent service ratings. Staff members Laura, Lindsey, and Manny receive the most frequent positive mentions.

Staff
4.8
Dog happiness
4.7
Cleanliness
4.6
Drop-off / pickup
4.6
Facility
4.5
Communication
4.3
Safety
4.0
Value
3.5

People love

Friendly and caring staff(60)Dog loves going / is excited to arrive(45)Great grooming results (looks great, smells great)(50)Clean facility(20)Excellent communication from staff (updates, photos, reports)(15)Great with anxious or nervous dogs(15)Excellent boarding experience (dog happy, well cared for)(30)Fair pricing / good value(5)Convenient services (hours, scheduling, same-day appointments)(5)Professional and knowledgeable staff(25)

Staff shoutouts

Laura(18 mentions)Lindsey(9 mentions)Manny(6 mentions)Antoine(2 mentions)Carlie(2 mentions)Anna(3 mentions)NadiaFranci(2 mentions)JacquelineLindsyCarleyAllyShaquan

Worth noting

Dog injured or harmed during grooming (cuts, nicks, aggression)

Today I took my two dogs... I could see without the one who cut my dog's hair forcing his paw until he made him scream in pain... they left my dog injured!!!

Dog contracted kennel cough after boarding

I boarded two dogs here for a few days and both got Kennel Cough/bronchitis.

Dog mix-up / wrong dog given to customer

When I went to pick up my dog, the dog they gave me, which looked similar to my dog, was not my dog.

Dog died after staying at facility

My dog died after staying in this facility.

Rude and unprofessional staff / owner behavior

Rude staff made homophobic comments and cancelled my boarding as I was trying to leave town.

Upselling and bait-and-switch pricing

This place is nothing but a money-hungry upsell machine. They nickel-and-dime you for everything.

Dog left in crate for extended periods

They kept her for 4 hours, so she was left in a crate until they were ready even though my appointment was at 10.

Poor grooming results (bald spots, missed services, skin irritation)

Before my husky went in, she had a full set of full hair, the day I picked her up. She has bald spots and it looks like they cut her hair.

Front desk/rude receptionist

Girl at the front is rude, but other than that service is great.

Dog returned dehydrated, starving, with diarrhea

Boarded my 2 dogs for 3 nights when picking them up they were so dehydrated would not stop drinking water smelled like urine have terrible diarrhea and was starving.

Staff made homophobic comments / discriminatory behavior

Rude staff made homophobic comments and cancelled my boarding as I was trying to leave town. She followed me to my car to argue more.

Inconsistent and high pricing / unexpected upcharges(12 mentions)

The prices are inconsistent always charging extra for things that should be included in the price already.

Rude or unprofessional staff/owner behavior(12 mentions)

The lady owner is very nasty, not a nice person.

Poor grooming quality or mistakes (cuts, missed services, styling not as requested)(10 mentions)

They did a terrible job to my dog.

Dog returned injured or with health issues (kennel cough, dehydration)(8 mentions)

I brought my dog here and they left my dog bald.

Long wait times and poor communication during grooming(5 mentions)

We had to wait for almost 5 hours just to have my dog dirty, his hair still no shape.

Upselling unwanted services / bait and switch(6 mentions)

The groomer did not add any additional fees, as our grooming prices are based on the condition of the breeds.

Dog was not actually groomed or cleaned properly(5 mentions)

My pooch was not clean.

Customer service issues with front desk / scheduling(5 mentions)

I had an appointment website and store front both said open when I got there with dogs for grooming appointment I was told they're closed I asked why no courtesy call I was told NOT HER PROBLEM.

Owner replies to 85% of reviewsAvg response: 3dprofessional tone40 repeat customers

IBPSA Member

Industry Association

Verified member of IBPSA
International pet services standards

Cross-referenced with IBPSA’s member directory.

Top Rated

4.5 stars from 469+ reviews

This facility has earned a Top Rated badge for maintaining a 4.5-star rating across 469 reviews.

At a Glance

Google rating
4.5/ 5
Review score
4.4/ 5
Amenities9 of 14
Reviews469
Repeat customersNumber of reviews that mention returning or being a regular customer.40

Min puppy age

4 months

Pricing

Boarding

$55–$75/night

Daycare

$23–$32.5/day

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