Bark Avenue Pet Resort — Local services in Vinings

TL;DR: Bark Avenue is great for boarding—but skip the grooming. My dog came home wet, still covered in soap and the manager Lexi turned the whole ordeal into a Shakespearian tragedy.

I was a loyal customer for over 2 years with no issues—until February 2024. My dog boarded here & was scheduled for a bath before pickup. At 11:12 a.m., Lexi (the manager) left a voicemail saying the bather was running late & my dog might leave wet. She also asked if I could come later later than my noon pick-up time. (full voicemail transcript attached as a photo)

I called back around 11:30 a.m. & said skip the bath—I didn’t want her coming home wet. Lexi said the bath had already started, but promised my dog would be fully washed & dried when I arrived.

Spoiler: I arrived at 12:59 p.m. & my dog was still wet & waxy—like shampoo wasn’t fully rinsed out. The front desk staff (not Lexi) was sweet & tried to help dry her. It didn’t work & she offered a refund. I accepted & I thought that was the end. I rushed my dog to her regular groomer who confirmed residual soap was in her fur b/c the initial rinse lathered.

I had prepaid Bark Avenue $55 for the bath alone. They only refunded $45. When I emailed thinking it was a mistake, Lexi said she decided a partial refund was “more than fair,” claimed my dog was properly washed, & said the only reason she was sent home wet was b/c of my “dog's behavior."

My dog’s a long-haired husky—think fluffy cloud w/ double coat. Her baths normally take 2–3 hours minimum. This was her 4th Bark Avenue bath.

So, reader… knowing my dog's breed & what happened after—do you really believe they fully bathed & dried her in under 90 minutes? And my dog suddenly couldn’t handle the dryer after 3 drama-free baths? Yeah, I didn't buy it either.

I emailed back disappointed in Lexi's response & this entire experience. After that email, the final $10 was sent to my account.

Fast forward to Jan 2025—after a year of Bark Avenue still sending me promos & my new boarder full the weekend I needed, I gave them another try & booked (no bath this time). My reservation was rejected, & I emailed to ask why —this has happened before & usually it’s just a timing thing. Bark Avenue Management (read: probably Lexi) replied that my last interaction (i.e. email) was “rude & uncalled for” & said I called the staff "liars" & "careless" —I didn't. We both have the emails. I was direct, not disrespectful.

I hesitated writing this b/c we have moved on to an amazing boarding/grooming company but seeing other reviews mention grooming issues that also put the health of their dog in jeopardy pushed me to share my story. Maybe Lexi was having a bad day. We’ve all been there. But the fact this all spiraled over $10? Hilarious in hindsight.

Bark Avenue's boarding team was lovely. But if you risk the bath, be prepared to bring your own towel & be ready to rinse your dog yourself.

--Update Post Bark Avenue's (Lexi's) Response-- Dearest Reader, One must admire Lexi's audacity spinning false tales of refund demands for nail trims & teeth brushing. Alas, the truth is fully itemized. Behold: the invoice.

If Lexi’s version of events erodes w/ a single receipt, this author must wonder — what was Lexi hoping to wash away? Certainly not the residual soap left in my dog's wet fur.

Until next time dear reader, and remember: Always Keep Receipts 🐾

---Update to the Update: Post Bark Avenue’s “Owner’s” Response -- Dearest Gentle Reader, A curious development indeed. Bark Avenue could not rinse nor dry my dog properly, yet the “owner” managed to completely scrub and replace Lexi’s original fiction.

Fear not, dear reader. Honesty, while lacking at Bark Avenue, is bountiful with this author. Because while a partial refund for a full misstep is hardly “swift action,” I daresay no comedy of errors has ever cost so little yet been so entertaining.

Do enjoy the screen capture of Lexi’s false tales.

And remember, whether revealed in 18 hours, days, or even months—the truth will always be...

Just moved to GA and was looking for a place to board my dogs for a weekend while I left town. Unfortunately I had not planned ahead and was looking to book a reservation on pretty short notice (called to book on Tuesday for the upcoming Fri-Mon).

I saw that Bark Avenue had some great reviews and gave them a call to see if they were able to take my 2 dogs in. The people I spoke with on the phone were very friendly, understanding, and let me know what I needed to do in order to get my dogs all set up, booked, and ready for their stay.

On Friday morning I drove up to drop off my dogs along with their beds, food, toys, etc and was greeted by the friendly staff that took my dogs and their things right away. Since I had never used this place before, I called on Saturday afternoon to check in on my pups and see how their visit was going.

The staff gave me some information on how they were doing, how they had interacted with the dogs there, if they had eaten their food, how they were doing in their kennels, etc. I loved that they knew and remember my dogs names even just by telling me my first name. They kept me in the loop and were great.

Finally, Monday had arrived and I knew that I would be getting into town late because of some flight delays. Unfortunately by the time I would get my car from the airport and drive to Bark Ave. they would have closed for the day and thus, I would’ve had to pay an extra night’s fee. This was okay, since my flight had gotten delayed and I understood that rules are rules.

I had called Bark Ave. to inform them that even though they closed at 7 I wouldn’t be able to make it until 7:15. The manager said not to worry — she would stay the extra 15 minutes to make sure I got my pups home, as she knows if she was in my situation, she would want to see her dogs after a long weekend traveling.

She did NOT have to extend that courtesy to me,. As a first time customer, I was incredibly thankful and appreciative of the service, friendliness, and time they put into ensuring that myself and my dogs had a positive experience.

Next time I’m leaving town and cannot take my dogs, I will 100% be back at...

I boarded my two dogs at Bark Avenue for about two years when I was living in Atlanta (from 2015 to 2017), and after I have moved back to middle GA, on some occasions I drove to Atlanta with my dogs to board them there again when I needed a place for them to stay (in 2017 and 2018).

I never had an issue with my pups being hurt during the almost four years I boarded my dogs with them. I am an extreme anxious and worried pet mom and I didn't have to worry about leaving my pups under their care. My pups got to know Nikki who was readily recognized by them once we got there. They always followed my instructions when they were boarded when it concerned medication, feeding and when one of my dogs needed attention one time I boarded him with a limping paw because he got hurt in another facility with ground made of pebbles.

I was always concerned for my second dog because he isn't social like the first one, and I didn't want him to be aggressive or provoked towards other campers, and Nikki always gave me feedback that he was fine around other dogs in my absence and very sweet. I understand they keep the play groups very small which minimizes crowding and potentially unwanted mishaps.

I am out of GA now and have to board them for the first time for 4 days where am living, and I honestly wish they were within driving distance so I wouldn't have to experiment with their safety in a new place here where I currently have no idea how it's going to be.

So thank you for the time you cared for them when I needed to travel and for keeping their physical integrity and well being. That was one less thing for me to worry about. I hope I find a trustworthy practice where I am currently living but unfortunately I have to "experiment it" in a new place next week and I just hope they won't get hurt and that the new place will put their well being and...