Best Animal Services in Oakland and the East Bay – 2025 Reader’s Choice Awards
When it comes to caring for your beloved pets, Oakland and the East Bay are home to some of the most trusted and highly rated animal service providers in the region. From life-saving animal shelters and expert dog trainers to compassionate veterinarians, premier pet boarding, and luxury grooming salons, the 2025 Best of Oakland and the East Bay Reader’s Choice Awards celebrate the businesses that go above and beyond for our furry, feathered, and scaled friends.
Our readers have spoken, casting thousands of votes to recognize the businesses that consistently deliver exceptional service, care, and expertise. Whether you’re adopting a rescue cat, training a new puppy, or ensuring your pet receives the best medical attention, these award-winning services represent the gold standard in animal care for Oakland and the East Bay.
🏆 Best Animal Shelter or Rescue Groups
- Winner: Cat Town
- East Bay SPCA
- Happy Hound
- Oakland Animal Services
- Oakland Zoo
🏆 Best Dog Training Service
- Winner: Citizen Canine
- Berkeley Humane
- Dog Squad Dog Training
- East Bay SPCA
- Happy Hound Play & Daycare
🏆 Best Dog Walker
- Winner: Happy Hound Play & Daycare
- Dog Squad Dog Training
- Earth Girl Dog Walker
- Rad Rover
- The Farmers Pet Care
🏆 Best Pet Grooming Service
- Winner: Happy Hound Play & Daycare
- Healthy Spot
- Kutz For Mutz Dog Grooming
- Lafleur Pet Grooming
- Melissa Michelle Grooming
- SpaGo Dog
🏆 Best Pet Stores
- Winner: Diamond Dogs Treatery
- Happy Hound Play & Daycare
- Pet Club Emeryville
- Pet Food Express
- Pet Vet Broadway
🏆 Best Places to Board Pets
- Winners: Citizen Canine of Oakland, The Pack – Fruitvale
- Dog Social Club
- Doggy Lama Pet Care
- Happy Hound Play & Daycare
🏆 Best Veterinary Clinics
- Winner: Creature Comfort Holistic Veterinary Center
- Claremont Veterinary Clinic
- East Bay SPCA
- Grand Lake Veterinary Hospital
- Holistic Veterinary Care
- OakVet Animal Specialty Hospital
How the Best Animal Services in Oakland and the East Bay Are Selected
The Best of Oakland and the East Bay Awards are a trusted annual tradition, giving local residents the opportunity to shine a spotlight on their favorite businesses in every category—from pet care to dining, shopping, and more. The animal services categories are among the most competitive, reflecting the passion our community has for the well-being of its pets.
Selection is a two-round voting process to ensure fairness and accuracy:
- Nomination Round (February – Mid-April): Readers submit open write-in nominations for their favorite animal service providers. This stage allows any local business to be recognized purely by community support.
- Final Voting Round (April – May): The top nominees from the first round advance to a ballot where readers can vote for their favorites from the curated list. During this stage, write-ins are closed, and only the top contenders appear on the ballot.
Once voting concludes, the results are tallied, verified, and announced in the July and August issues of Oakland Magazine and on our official website. Winners earn the coveted Reader’s Choice title and are featured prominently in our digital and print platforms, ensuring the community knows which businesses stand out for quality, care, and service.
Every year, this process reflects the genuine opinions of thousands of East Bay residents, making these awards a reliable guide for anyone seeking the Best Animal Services in Oakland and the East Bay.
