Club Barks

I started taking my dog to Club Barks about 5 years ago. When the owner was first getting started. I had a puppy training class there and when I needed to leave my dog in daycare while I went to work, it worked out very well. The staff was friendly and my dog was always well cared for. After my parents retired I stopped taking him to CB as my parents enjoyed taking and watching him during the day and keeping him active, it worked out great. Now, my folks have gone away for about a month and of course it wasn’t even a question to take him to Club Barks. To make an already long review shorter, he didn’t last 3 days. I came to pick him up on the third day, purchased another 20 day package and left, noticing his eye was weeping, and he was shying away from my hand. On closer inspection, he got his eye scratched open and was weeping with pus. I pulled the whisker of another dog (with skin) off of his forepaw and guessed it was a fight. Returning to location, I asked what had happened, nobody had seen a thing, I asked for a refund and was told that they would call the manager as there was no one there. The manager told them she’d deal with it tomorrow and that was supposed to be the end of it. I had them call back the manager and after a drawn out argument, I was told that she would have to speak to the owner (WHY WASN’T HE AVAILABLE?, It was a Tuesday at 7, regular business hours for you.) and that I should call back at 10 the next day because she was busy in the morning. I’m sure she spoke to the owner after, because I got a call back about 10 minutes later that they were voiding the charge, but the entire experience was appalling. I have attached photos of my dog’s eye.
I was angry not just because of the injury it self, they are dogs, these things happen. I’m angered because I was not notified, and further nobody even was paying attention to see what was happening.
One more thing, be very careful reading the fine print. They are exempted from any sort of responsibility, including, and especially negligence.
From their contract:
I HEREBY EXPRESSLY AND FOREVER GENERALLY WAIVE, DISCHARGE CLAIMS, INDEMNIFY, RELEASE FROM LIABILITY, SAVE, HOLD HARMLESS AND DEFEND AND COVENANT NOT TO USE BARK BARK CLUB, and their invitees, sponsors, advertisers, owners, employees, volunteers, and any parties owning, controlling or having any interest in the property at which the Event is taking place, and all other representatives or agents (the «Releasees») from and against ANY AND ALL INJURY, LIABILITY, CLAIMS, LITIGATION, ACTIONS, SUITS, COSTS, LOSSES, DAMAGES, EXPENSES OR DEMANDS (including reasonable attorney’s fees) OF EVERY CHARACTER WHATSOEVER on account of, arising out of, resulting from or relating in any way to (i) any act or omission of the Releasees, including negligence, …

Rude, negligent and inattentive staff. Dog had to be taken to the animal hospital after a dog fight that somehow no one noticed or saw. If you drop your dog off in the morning, expect to pick up an injured shell of a pup when you pick them up. I was NOT alerted an altercation happened and the staff denied anything to have happened despite my dog bleeding and crying when picked up.
Never again, I’m filing a report with the SPCA for neglect. they are obviously endangering the lives of these animals.

We love club barks! A great place for the full puppy spa treatment! Also a fun day for doggie daycare. The staff is friendly and very caring.

When registering for dog boarding they told me my dog can have a free play day to see how she reacts around other dogs, I told them I would wait until the date was closer to our vacation. Then I paid to have my dog groomed which was the worst cut my dog has ever had… So I called to bring her in for her play day and the desk said that the manager said «No, because her grooming counted as her free play day.» I couldn’t believe what just happened, so I cancelled my reservation and found Pet Hotels in East Hanover. A much better place that’s clean and inviting, my dogs has her own room, raised bed and tv. That’s right tv. She also has scheduled play time and there’s a vet in the same building. I’m so glad that I found out that Club Barks is a dishonest business before I trusted my dog to their care. Do your homework instead of leaving your pet in factory setting like Club Barks. Thank you, George U.

This is a great place to bring your dog for a day of play. I’ve been taking my dog, now 8 going on 9, to Club Barks for 7 almost 8 years now. My dog always leaves tired after a hard day of play and the one time a bad experience happened (a dog attacked mine) the staff jumped into action and alerted my family immediately. The staff is great, young but very mature and on top of things.
Totally worth it; your dog will have a blast every time he/​she is dropped off

I was looking for a place where I can leave my dog​when I am leaving. My choose was Barks Club. First time my dog​lived by himself in a hotel. I am very happy with this place. My dog​liked the place too. Certainly I put my dog in this place again.

This is a fantastic facility, they remember our dogs and their medications. When we left a dog that had recently had hip surgery they knew and remembered and were very caring.
Yes, the facility looks stark, that is due to its location, but even during the flood two years ago they were there taking care of the dogs, moving them to higher ground.
They give bedtime treats and our dogs come home healthier for the experience. We do not go on vacation and leave them anywhere else.
Even when we took one dog to an emergency hospital vet visit, one of the club barks personnel just happened to be there and remembered our dogs by name.
Great place.

I bought a Living Social Coupon for this establishment, and am so sorry I did.
Their add states that their facility speaks for itself, and I have to agree. It’s terrible. Dirty, unkempt, stark, and not welcoming. Normally, when you sponsor a Groupon, or Living Social offer, it is to encourage clients, and promote your facility. I realize they do not make a profit on these offers, but would hope that they would put their best foot forward, and encourage return visits. We will not be returning.
My initial impression was not good, due to the environment, but decided to overlook that, and go with their services, as appearances are not always indicative of quality of service. When the girl came to get my pet, she didn’t acknowledge her, and when she balked, she proceeded to drag her.
What bothered me the most, was being told that she was screaming — very loud. That they’ve never heard such screaming from a little dog. She has never done this before. She is fearful, but always quiet. I can’t think why this would have happened, and what she was exposed to. Their attitude was very cavalier, didn’t show any concern or compassion.
The grooming was terrible. One ear is at least 1″ shorter than the other, she was shaved unevenly, and didn’t look clean. It is the worse grooming, she has ever had.
She has been shaking, and not herself since the visit, and I’m very concerned. Either she was traumatized, or has picked up some type of virus from the facility.
I basically sent this message to them via e-​mail, and they did not have the courtesy to reply. I’ve waited 4 days to hear from them, but nothing.
Don’t use this establishment, I should have gone with my first impression and turned right around and left.