What are the opening hours?

Monday 7am - 6:30pm Tuesday 7am - 6:30pm Wednesday 7am - 6:30pm Thursday 7am - 6:30pm Friday 7am - 6:30pm

Barks and Recreation, 4 McDonald Street, Melbourne (2025)

10/01/2025

Today we welcomed Pepper, a Kelpie Staffy mix with a playful, energetic and inquisitive nature. On arrival she took her time to suss out her new environment and toys, building her confidence to join in play with the group. After making friends with Lenny and Pippa, Pepper opened up completely, wrestling around and zooming all over the place! She absolutely LOVED outside, playing fetch, splashing about in the pools, and snorkeling for toys. Pepper was a champ at regulating herself too, taking herself off for a rest to do a chew toy and relax when needed. Well done Pepper, you fit in so well today and we can’t wait to have you back 💕.

10/01/2025

Ollie arrived unsure at first, but quickly came out of his shell, forming the cutest little “oodle gang” with Pepper, Sirius and Dora. The 4 of them were pretty inseparable all morning, with Ollie zooming around the pen, playing chasey and fetch with his new best friends. This adventurous little guy enjoyed exploring the outdoor area, especially the pirate ship, and loved jumping in the splash pad and shell pool for a cool down following all the fun and games. What an awesome little dude, we are so happy you had such a great first visit to daycare 🥰!

09/01/2025

Pupperoni (what a name!) came in excited and inquisitive this morning, eager to meet the staff and meet some new buddies. He made friends with Crumble and Waffle early on in the day, with the 3 of them happily playing chasey through the pools and sandpits 🥰. Pupperoni also enjoyed the treat puzzles, fetch and lounging on the daybeds. At quiet time, he liked to curl up in a lap or on a bed for a very well deserved rest. Great job buddy, you’re welcome back anytime ♥️.

08/01/2025

We welcomed tiny Cavoodle pup Betty for her first daycare day EVER today, and what a little sweetheart she was! Betty was full of cuddles and cuteness, and was so brave meeting the rest of the doggy group despite the fact that everyone was bigger than her! Betty discovered the daybeds early on, using them to rest and as a height advantage while watching the rest of the gang run amuck 😊. Outside, Betty got the zoomies in the sun before enjoying the shell pool to cool off. What a wonderful job today Betty, we are so proud of you and can’t wait for your next visit! 💕

08/01/2025

Olive came bounding in with energy this morning, super excited to explore her new daycare and meet her new furry friends. This social butterfly quickly buddied up with Greta and Fuji, playing fetch, tug, and chasey. She loved to splash about in the pools to cool off, in between zoomies or digging in the sandpit.
Olive’s definitely a smart cookie, being an absolute champ at the kong wobblers and displaying her spin and sit skills while getting treats 😎! What a special addition you’ve been to our family at Barks and Recreation today ♥️.

07/01/2025

Epi was our final newcomer for today, and what a great day he had! After some initial first day nerves, he soon settled in and was all smiles 😊 Epi loved playing fetch and checking out the different toys. He especially enjoyed doing a little parade to show off “his” ball. Outside, Epi had the best time in the pools, spinning around and splashing about until he was absolutely drenched 😂. This afternoon he made friends with Herb and Shumba, with the three play wrestling after quiet time. Enjoy and very well deserved rest tonight buddy, we’re sure you’ll need it!

07/01/2025

Today we were joined by sweet Eve, a gorgeous King Charles Cavalier, coming to us from our friends at Who Let the Pups Out 🥰 Her friends Heidi and Xiao Zhu were on hand to help her settle in, and she alternated between hanging out with them and mingling with the rest of the group. Eve loved a cuddle with staff, snuffles in the garden beds and investigating the outdoor play equipment. She slept like an angel at quiet time too. Well done, Eve, we can’t wait to see you back again 💕.

07/01/2025

Beautiful Illiya joined the pen with ease this morning, showing off her fun and friendly nature from the get go.
She LOVED chasing the balls around both inside and out, before jumping in the pools for a dig and a splash. After some encouragement from Millie, Illiya also joined in group zoomies, which was perfect to tire her out before a big sleep at quiet time. What a daycare natural you’ve been today. You’re welcome back anytime ♥️!

06/01/2025

Gorgeous Dora came in excited and friendly, for her first morning at Barks and Recreation. She was super keen to meet and make new friends, joining in with group fetch, rip rips and chasing Jerry and his ball around 😂.
By 12 o’clock it was time for rest and relaxation for this sweet pup, with Dora snuggling up to Frankie, Mr. Pickles and staff for cosy cuddles. Thanks for sharing the love around, we can’t wait to see you again soon 🥰!

05/01/2025

Walk ins available!
Existing customers only, drop off by 10am.
Pay at pick up or we can deduct a day from your pass/membership.

*NOTE: Walk ins are being offered on a trial basis. If at any stage the number of walk ins begin to negatively impact our safe dog numbers/ratios of staff to dogs, we will revert back to bookings only. We encourage you to book online when possible.

30/12/2024

It’s a scary time of year for a lot of dogs. Some of these tips may be helpful ❤️

20/12/2024

Today Molly chose Barks and Recreation for her first daycare experience, and we are thrilled to have her. This sweet natured Golden Retriever started off her day with treats and pats from staff, as she explored her new playground. Outside, however, she really let loose in our new splash pad, rolling around to get wet with Rupert and Nellie, before skidding along the turf to get those good scratches 😍. She was also a big fan of the pools, jumping in and out of the water while playing chasey with Pepper and Larry. Have a wonderful Christmas sweet girl, we are all very eager to see you again next year 💕!

20/12/2024

Beautiful Mini, was our final newbie for the year, joining us from our friends Who Let The Pups Out. Coming into the pen to see her pal Heidi, the two then coupled up for the day 💕, enjoying getting lots of pats and treats from staff 😉.
Mini liked joining in garden bed snuffles outside, and exploring around the play equipment. This afternoon it was time to relax and enjoy cuddles with the team. We are looking forward to seeing you make more new friends after the break!

20/12/2024

Today Molly chose Barks and Recreation for her first daycare experience, and we are thrilled to have her. This sweet natured Golden Retriever started off her day with treats and pats from staff, as she explored her new playground. Outside, however, she really let loose in our new splash pad, rolling around to get wet with Rupert and Nellie, before skidding along the turf to get those good scratches 😍. She was also a big fan of the pools, jumping in and out of the water while playing chasey with Pepper and Larry. Have a wonderful Christmas sweet girl, we are all very eager to see you again next year 💕!

19/12/2024

Today we welcomed Cocker Spaniel puppy Halloumi, to join her brother Cheddar for her first EVER daycare visit, and she definitely came in confident and ready to play!
Halloumi enjoyed chewing on balls, playing fetch and was a huge fan of the day beds! While outside, she loved digging in the sandpit with Aalto and splashing around with her brother in the pools. At quiet time, Halloumi was ready for a big sleep after a huge morning of wrestling around with her new friends. We are all so glad you had such a fun filled first day at Barks and Recreation 🥰.

17/12/2024

Cheddar joined the crew at Barks and Recreation today, after previously attending daycare with our friends at 🥰 Cheddar has enjoyed playing in the pools today as well as joining in with our Christmas present unwrapping activity for Christmas Week. He especially liked the Santa stuffed toy, though it was challenging getting a turn to play with it without another dog stealing it for themselves 😂 Cheddar is a confident boy who has happily played rough with his new friends, wrestling Quentin & Bailey all afternoon. He has had a brilliant first day and we know he is going to make a perfect playmate for many of our regular dogs. Welcome, Cheddar!

16/12/2024

Monty, a beautiful chocolate Lab, became the newest member of our Barks and Recreation family today, after being an absolute champ on his first ever visit to doggy daycare. He spent the morning playing tug with staff and digging in the water bowls 😂😂, before really coming out of his shell outside.
Monty was obsessed with the water, digging and splashing about in the pools, in between joining group fetch with the big kids.
This afternoon, after a good rest at quiet time, he awoke to icy Christmas treats to share with the group. Well done today buddy, we are all very excited to have you back next year ❤️!

Barks and Recreation

10/01/2025

10/01/2025

09/01/2025

08/01/2025

08/01/2025

07/01/2025

07/01/2025

07/01/2025

06/01/2025

05/01/2025

30/12/2024

20/12/2024

20/12/2024

20/12/2024

19/12/2024

17/12/2024

16/12/2024

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Monday	7am - 6:30pm
Tuesday	7am - 6:30pm
Wednesday	7am - 6:30pm
Thursday	7am - 6:30pm
Friday	7am - 6:30pm