Jewelz T.

Oakland Spca-Facility

A year ago, we adopted a kitten from the Oakland SPCA. The volunteers were kind enough to let me handle and play with multiple kittens while I made my decision. I wanted to make sure that I brought home a cat who could thrive in our rowdy household of two dogs.

We ended up bringing home a wonderful black kitten, who immediately fit in.

We did have a period where Luna (name of our cat) would urinate on our down comforter (with us in it). We spoke to the Oakland SPCA and took Luna in for her free wellness check-up and ended up finding a solution to her bedwetting.

We've had her for a year and she is a wonderfully zany, affectionate, silly cat who fits in perfectly.

PROS: care of animals and loving staff and volunteers
CONS:

Nail Spa

Wow! The Berkeley/Oakland area finally gets a wonderful nail spa!

I dropped in today for the first time. What wonderful, sanitary, friendly service! I had the most wonderful manicure and pedicure. It was sheer heaven. I wish I'd stopped in sooner.

I am sold on this place!

PROS: complimentary beverage, sanitary conditions, wonderful service & staff
CONS:

Cactus Jungle

I'm not sure if Cactus Jungle has moved, but it is now located at 1509 Fourth Street (at Cedar) in Berkeley.

This nursery is great! They have the most gorgeous succulents and cacti. They've absolutely converted me to a succulent lover.

I went today to pick up three hanging pots which were planted with succulents. When I got there, only two were available. The staff kindly said they could pot a third for me while I waited. It only took a few minutes.

I highly recommend this nursery!

PROS: parking, great hours, very friendly, helpful, & knowledgeable staff
CONS:

Futon Emporium

After going to two other futon places and being treated to a hard sell and a bait and switch, I tried out Futon Emporium.

The staff was patient and willing to answer all my questions regarding various futons. They also didn't use any high-pressured sells techniques which I definitely appreciated after the other two futon stores.

I ordered my futon on a Thursday and was able to have it delivered on Saturday. Delivery was optional and since I didn't have a vehicle large enough to haul a queen-size futon couch, I went with delivery. There was a charge for delivery and set-up.

Prices were reasonable and parking is free!!

PROS: Low-pressure, patient, prompt service; free parking; easy access to freeway
CONS: $60 deliver and set-up fee

Red Rover Adventures in Pet Care

Jeremy and his team (Courtney, Jason, and Hollis) are wonderful! They all go the extra mile with our pets. When our adopted dog was having issues with separation anxiety, Jeremy would take the dog for the entire day. When we got our first dog a puppy, Jeremy would stop by to pick up our boxer for a walk and play & walk our pug puppy. Then he would take our boxer out for his group walk. He didn't charge us for the cuddle service for our pug. When our elderly cat passed away, we decided to add a kitten to our household. Again, Jeremy would take time out to visit with our kitten before taking the two dogs out.

Since we can't board our boxer in a kennel environment (absolutely freaks out), we are fortunate to have found Jeremy. Jeremy boards dogs in a home environment.

Jeremy has also been great at pointing out potential health issues that we might have missed or calling us to ask about things that might concern him. He's even contacted us while we were on vacation to ask about a growth he'd noticed on one of our dogs. He was willing to take our dog into the vet to have it checked out.

Jeremy and his team are an absolute jewel!

Jeremy has also cared for our other friends dogs and has given another friend's cat its insulin shots.

Our dogs absolutely LOVE their time with Jeremy and Courtney (we're on Courtney's route). We can always tell when either Jeremy or Courtney are here to pick up because of the excited, happy barking and tap dancing by the door.

Jeremy and his team work in Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville.

They also do the doggie baby sitting at the Montclair Farmer's Market on Sundays (during the warmer months).

PROS: Excellent, compassionate care. Great exercise for your pets.
CONS:

Hair Tailor

I went to Sue for a cut and color and left with an awful awful cut and color. My husband thought I was trying to look like a punker and the color was brash and gaudy. Needless to say, I didn't go back.

I ended up going to Natural Expressions day Spa and Salon to have the cut and color fixed.

PROS:
CONS: pricey and over-rated

Oakland Spca Spay & Neuter

My experience adopting through the Oakland SPCA was wonderful. Since we had two dogs, I really wanted to make sure that the cat we adopted had the right personality for our household. I spent a couple hours getting to know the cats at the SPCA before adopting one. The staff was patient and knowledgeable. After we had adopted, the SPCA called three times to make sure everything was going well and to make sure there weren't any problems which needed to be addressed. We did have one problem, with improper elimination. As part of the SPCA's adoption package is 1 free vet visit within the first year. We called to make an appointment with a vet and a behaviorist. After our visit, we followed the recommendations of the vet and behaviorist and our problem was solved. Great experience! :)

PROS: Animals well cared for, parking, vet clinic next door,
CONS: could use more knowledgeable volunteers to interact with public.

Pet Emergency Treatment Svc

We've had to take our pets here once or twice. The staff was kind and empathetic with both my pets and with me. I felt as if the medical staff really listened to what I had to say. The staff definitely loves animals.

PROS: Has free parking, sep. dog & cat entrance, close to freeway
CONS:

Connies Pond & Garden

This place is great if you'd like to set up a pond in your yard. They have a knowledgeable staff, as well as a good selection of ponding equipment , aquatic plants, and pond animals (turtles, koi, goldfish).

I've only found one other pond store and that is in Lafayette. It is much smaller.

All Pets Hospital

When I lived in the City, I took my cat here for years. Dr. Hershberger and Dr. Herman are both kind and gentle with the pets.

If I hadn't moved to the East Bay, I wouldn't have left this clinic.

PROS: Great staff, great service, great vets!
CONS: A little out of the way of residential neighborhoods, but worth it.