Barks and Rec
DaycareBoarding
Dogs Away score9.6 /10Exceptional · 202 reviews · top 23% in Columbus
Sources
Behind the 9.6
- Reviews read
- 202 on Google
- Average stars
- 4.80 ★
- Rank
- #35 of 163 in Columbus
- Ratings as of
- July–October 2026
Published rate$42 /nightFrom their website, 2026-10-19
$30middle $44$65
About the Columbus middle price
Sources
Behind the $42
- Source
- Barks and Rec’s own website
- Checked on
- 2026-10-19
- Rate type
- First dog, standard night
“Single Day $32 Ten Days $295 ... BOARDING RATES Nightly Rates Holiday and Peak Dates additional $4 per night With Daycare $50 Without Daycare $42”Open their price page ↗
Barks and Rec is a dog daycare in Columbus, OH, offering daycare & boarding. It scores 9.6/10 (exceptional) from 202 Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars — #35 of 163 in Columbus. Its website lists boarding from $42–$50 per night and daycare from $32 per day. Of the 27 policies we check, its website states 7.
Vaccine rules publishedRequired: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, leptospirosis · Not mentioned: canine influenza
Publishes its ratesQuoted below with a link to the source page.
Key facts
- Services
- DaycareBoardingGrooming Confirmed on their own website
- Type
- Dedicated facility
- Boarding rate
- $42–$50/night
- Daycare rate
- $32/day
- Open 24 hours
- No
- Rank in Columbus
- #35 of 163
- Google rating
- ★4.8 (202)
- From downtown
- 2.7 mi
- Neighborhood
- Fifth by Northwest
- Holiday / peak
- additional $4 per night on holiday and peak dates
- Profile claimed on Google
- Yes
Policies & requirements
7/27
7 of the 27 policies owners ask about are published on their website.Checked on their website, 2026-10-19. Open a policy to see their exact words.
Admission requirements4 of 6 published
Vaccinations requiredRequired: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, leptospirosis · Not mentioned: canine influenza
Their words
“What are your requirements for a dog to attend daycare? Vaccines Proof of the following vaccinations are required: Bordetella Distemper/Parvo (DHPP or DAPP) Lepto Rabies”barksandrecohio.com/
Spay / neuterRequired from 7 months
Their words
“Dogs over 7 months must be spayed or neutered.”barksandrecohio.com/
Temperament evaluationRequired before a first stay
Their words
“All dogs must pass a temperament test. This can be done during their first day—just allow an extra 5-10 minutes in the morning.”barksandrecohio.com/
Vaccination recordsProof checked, not taken on word
Their words
“Visit our customer portal. Input your information and your dog's details. Upload pictures and vaccine records.”barksandrecohio.com/
Operations4 of 21 published
Groups separated bySize and play style
Their words
“We have two seperate areas: One for small and medium-sized dogs Another for large dogs. However we also separate by playstyle so some small dogs may be with bigs or vice versa”barksandrecohio.com/
Photo / report-card updatesYes
Their words
“Send home daily report cards with pictures and activity summaries.”barksandrecohio.com/
FeedingOwner's food required
Their words
“What should I bring with my dog while they are boarding at Barks and Rec? Required Your dog's food.”barksandrecohio.com/
Online bookingYes — described in 3 reviews, not stated by the facility
Show 19 policies not published on their website
Bordetella lead timeNot published on their website
Fecal / parasite testNot published on their website
Staff on site overnightNot published on their website
Staff-to-dog ratioNot published on their website
Maximum playgroup sizeNot published on their website
Staff certificationNot published on their website
Play modelNot published on their website
Time out of their roomNot published on their website
Solo care for dogs who skip group playNot published on their website
HousingNot published on their website
Outdoor accessNot published on their website
CapacityNot published on their website
Climate controlNot published on their website
Live cameras for ownersNot published on their website
ToursNot published on their website
Injury / fight policyNot published on their website
Veterinary accessNot published on their website
Administers medicationNot published on their website
AvailabilityNot published on their website
Policies change, so confirm anything that matters when you book. Items marked “described by reviewers” come from customers, not from the facility.
Score & reviews
9.6ExceptionalDogs Away score
Higher is better. A score backed by more reviews is more reliable. Read the reviews on Google Maps. Data as of July–October 2026.
What reviewers mention most
caring staff 44grooming 18reasonable pricing 14daily report cards 8photo updates 4online booking 3high energy pups 2dog bath 2
Topics extracted from public review text, with the number of reviews that mention each.
Booking terms & safety
- If a dog is sick
- Dogs with symptoms such as coughing should stay home; return rule: symptom-free for 14 daysStated on their website
In the facility’s own words, summarized. Confirm when you book.
Who they take & how they care
- Updates during a stay
- Daily report cards with pictures and activity summaries; updates shared on InstagramStated on their website
In the facility’s own words, summarized. Confirm when you book.
Price history
| Year | Boarding | Daycare | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | — | $25/day | Archived page, 2020-11-29 |
| 2021 | — | $25/day | Archived page, 2021-11-27 |
| 2022 | — | $26/day | Archived page, 2022-08-09 |
| 2023 | $38–$48/night | $28/day | Archived page, 2023-12-04 |
| 2024 | — | $30/day | Archived page, 2024-12-04 |
| Now | $42–$50/night | $32/day | Their website, 2026-10-19 |
First-dog standard rate, lower end of any range. How this feeds the market trend: Dogs Away Boarding Price Index.
Hours
- Mon
- 6:30 AM–7 PM
- Tue
- 6:30 AM–7 PM
- Wed
- 6:30 AM–7 PM
- Thu
- 6:30 AM–7 PM
- Fri
- 6:30 AM–7 PM
- Sat
- 9 AM–3 PM
- Sun
- Closed
From the public profile, July–October 2026. Drop-off and pick-up windows can be narrower; holiday hours vary.
Location
1057 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212
2.7 miles from downtown Columbus · Fifth by Northwest · Get directions
Amenities & details
Wheelchair accessible entranceWheelchair accessible parking lotWheelchair accessible restroom
Self-reported on the business’s public profile.
Questions about Barks and Rec
What services does Barks and Rec offer?
Barks and Rec is listed as a dog day care center in Columbus, OH, offering daycare, boarding.
How much does Barks and Rec charge?
Its website lists overnight boarding at $42–$50 per night and daycare at $32 per day (first-dog standard rate, checked 2026-10-19). Holiday surcharges and add-ons vary; confirm when booking. The Columbus median published boarding rate is $43/night.
What vaccines does Barks and Rec require?
According to its website: Required: rabies, DHPP, Bordetella, leptospirosis · Not mentioned: canine influenza.
Is someone on site overnight at Barks and Rec?
Barks and Rec's website does not say whether a person is on site overnight (checked 2026-10-19). That is common — ask the facility directly before booking an overnight stay.
How does Barks and Rec compare with other Columbus facilities?
It ranks #35 of 163 in the Columbus index by Dogs Away score (9.6/10, exceptional), based on 202 Google reviews averaging 4.8 stars.
Cite this record
Facts on this page are sourced line by line. To reference it:
Barks and Rec, Columbus, OH. Dogs Away facility record, 2026-10-19. https://dogsaway.co/columbus-oh/barks-and-rec/Similar places near Columbus
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