KS
Kayla Singer
Aug 10, 2026
They took fantastic care of my foster dog while I was out on vacation. They got him comfortable with the other dogs and made sure his needs were being met. They had a slow feeder for him and adjusted what he needed daily. Highly recommend
AP
Ashley Palmieri
Jul 20, 2026
If you’re looking for a dog daycare and boarding facility that truly treats your dog like family, I can’t recommend Barks N Rec enough!
My male Basset Hound has been attending daycare for the past 3½ years and has also stayed for numerous overnight boarding visits. As a first-time dog parent using daycare and boarding services, I was incredibly nervous and apprehensive. I had so many questions and concerns. When I called Barks N Rec, Debbie invited me in for a tour and spent so much time answering my questions and putting my mind completely at ease. Her kindness and genuine love for the dogs were evident from the very beginning.
Our pup came in for his Discovery Day, and honestly, he had so much fun that he didn’t want to leave! That was all the reassurance I needed.
To say they take exceptional care of every dog is an understatement. Every dog’s individual personality and needs are taken into consideration each and every day. At one point, our pup needed special accommodations and separation from the other dogs after a minor procedure. Without hesitation, Debbie, Val, and the entire staff made sure he received the extra attention, exercise, love, and care he needed while he recovered. Knowing he was in such compassionate hands meant everything to us.
One of my favorite features is the ability to check the live pup cameras throughout the day. I love being able to see who he’s hanging out with and catch him having fun with his friends.
And don’t even get me started on Woof Woof Wednesdays! They are absolutely adorable. From puppuccinos and dog-themed arts and crafts to water play and other fun enrichment activities, there’s always something exciting happening. Val, the manager, pours her heart into creating engaging experiences for the dogs while also giving pet parents the sweetest keepsakes to take home.
The entire team at Barks N Rec genuinely loves what they do, and it shows in everything they do. Their professionalism, communication, compassion, and dedication are second to none. I leave my dog there with complete peace of mind, knowing he’s safe, happy, loved, and having the best day ever.
Thank you, Debbie, Val, and the entire Barks N Rec family, for taking such incredible care of our boy over the past three and a half years. We are so grateful for all of you!
I can’t say enough good things about Barks & Rec! I had a last-minute trip come up and was so grateful they were able to fit my dog in on short notice. It’s never easy leaving your pet unexpectedly, but they took such great care of him and gave me complete peace of mind while I was away. The staff was kind, caring, and clearly loves the dogs they look after. I picked up a happy, well-cared-for pup, and I wouldn’t hesitate to trust them. Everyone was professional, compassionate, and treated my dog like family. I highly recommend Barks & Rec to anyone looking for a safe, loving place to leave their pet!
RN
Rory Elizabeth Nichols
Jul 17, 2026
I never intended to leave a negative review because I genuinely wanted to give this business the chance to make things right. Unfortunately, after everything that happened, I feel other pet owners should know about my experience.
Months before boarding my dog, I watched employees through the daycare cameras bring their own food into the play area. Food should never be inside a dog play area. Several dogs naturally jumped up trying to get to it. Instead of preventing the situation, employees repeatedly pushed the dogs away. Because my dog was still a puppy and more energetic, they eventually kenneled him for an extended period, even though I had paid for open play. I spoke with the owner afterward, who was kind and assured me they would make it right. Since I was about to have my baby and planned to board him there while I was in the hospital, she promised he would be well cared for.
When I gave birth, my dog stayed there for six days. I packed his bed, blanket, toys, kibble, fresh chicken for every meal, treats, and left detailed feeding instructions. When my mom picked him up, he had a gash on his neck that later became infected and required a vet visit.
A few days later, we unpacked his belongings and discovered the entire bag of chicken and both containers of treats were still sealed and untouched. None of his feeding instructions had been followed.
When I finally had the chance to call after recovering from childbirth, I was told they had overbooked during his stay and admitted they hadn’t followed his feeding instructions because they weren’t paying close enough attention to his care. Despite admitting this, there was very little accountability, no meaningful apology, and no offer to refund or compensate us.
Instead, I later received a text saying I was banned from the facility because they couldn’t meet the expectations I had for my dog’s care. They even texted my sister afterward to let her know she was still welcome to bring her dogs.
I paid a lot of money expecting my dog to be properly cared for. Instead, he came home injured, his care instructions weren’t followed, the facility admitted they were overbooked, and I was banned simply for raising legitimate concerns. I cannot recommend this business to anyone looking for reliable, attentive care for their pets.
JW
Jaimene Washington
Jul 9, 2026
Our Experience with Barks N’ Rec ⭐⭐⭐
Our family trusted Barks N’ Rec with our dogs for years. We always paid full price, never asked for compensation, and whenever we had concerns, we spoke with management privately because we wanted to give them the opportunity to improve.
Unfortunately, after multiple conversations, we decided to take our dogs elsewhere.
Our concerns included:
* Whiskey was not given all of the food we provided, including treats that were part of his meals. This was acknowledged by management.
* We were told the facility had over 100 dogs during the holiday weekend and dogs were being rotated between play yards and kennels because they were overbooked.
* Whiskey came home with a cut under his ear that was never disclosed to us.
* We repeatedly asked to speak with the owner but were told the manager handled customer concerns.
* After raising these concerns respectfully, we were told our expectations would be better met at another daycare.
I’m not writing this out of anger. I simply believe dog daycare facilities are entrusted with members of our families, and concerns should be taken seriously. I hope Barks N’ Rec reflects on this feedback and continues improving for the dogs and families who trust them. Unfortunately, our family no longer feels comfortable leaving our dogs there.
It was the manager, Valerie, who said that the reason why the dogs were in kennels and not out playing was because you overbooked your facility for the weekend. If you weren’t overbooked, which I’m sure you’re saying because you don’t want to go against regulation. Then why were the dogs in kennels and why were you rotating them if they were supposed to be out in the middle of the day?
