Hello, hi, hey there
This dog smells
amazing RN.
Perfect Paws is the calm, spacious, judgment-free grooming studio Old Oakland deserves. No cages that feel like closets. No rushed clippers. Just spa days for pets who kind of run the house.
Why pet parents choose us
Grooming that feels like a spa day.
We built Perfect Paws around calm, credentialed care — airy rooms, gentle hands, and one pet at a time getting the kind of attention they'd get at home. Add in a great bowtie, better shampoo, and a whole lot of treats, and you've got a very good day.
Our story
Founded on a dog walk.
In 2002, owner Marisol Chen was walking her rescue mutt Biscuit around Lake Merritt when she overheard two dog parents swapping horror stories about their last grooming appointments. Biscuit sat down. Marisol did too. By the end of the walk, she'd sketched Perfect Paws on the back of a poop-bag receipt.
Twenty-plus years later, we're still doing it the same way — slowly, gently, and with a suspicious number of treats.
Our core belief
You work. We spa.
Drop your pet off in sweatpants. Pick them up smelling like a eucalyptus dream. In between, we handle the shampoo, the ear cleaning, the nail thing they hate, and the awkward small talk.
The Perfect Paws promise
Booking a spa day should feel like a walk in the park.
That's not a complete explanation, so here are the four reasons pet parents keep coming back:
Communication
Photo updates mid-groom. A real human on the phone. You'll know exactly what's happening with your pet.
Space
Airy rooms, natural light, and zero kennel stacks. Your pet gets a quiet corner, not a cubby.
Care
Certified, fear-free groomers who read the room. Nervous pups get breaks. Divas get compliments.
Availability
Six days a week, plus a mobile van when leaving the couch is not the vibe.
Management
Meet the founding team.
A tiny team of pet obsessives who happen to be very good at scissors.
Marisol Chen
Founder & Head Groomer
NCMG certified. Twenty-three years, one very forgiving pair of shears, and a soft spot for senior doodles.
Alfonso Reyes
Master Stylist
Fear-Free certified. Poodle whisperer. Believes every dog deserves a signature scent.
Priya Nakamura
Feline & Exotics Lead
The only person the shop cats respect. Handles bunnies with the calm of a monk.
Devon Bellamy
Studio Manager
Runs the front desk, remembers every pup's name, and keeps the treat jar suspiciously full.