BARK - Bradfordville Animal Resort Kingdom

09/04/2024

BARK is looking for a smart, hardworking individual to join our Client Relations Team! If that sounds like you, please visit our careers page (https://BradfordvilleARK.com/careers/) for details on the position and how to apply! 🐾

09/03/2024

🌎It's World Beard Day! 🌎
There are quite a few dog breeds that can boast about their luxurious beards, such as Scottish Terriers, Shih Tzus, or Yorkshire Terriers. Have you ever seen a dog with a beard before? 🧔‍♂️

09/02/2024

Happy Labor Day from the BARK team! We hope that you all enjoy the last beach holiday of the year and stay safe!

08/30/2024

We may have built the splash pad at BARK with daycare classes in mind, but that doesn't mean that everyone else will miss out! If your pet is lodging with us, you'll be able to add some time on the splash pad as an enhancement to their stay! 🐾🐶🐾

08/29/2024

🗣Slow Feeders!

Slow feeders are a great way to make sure that your furry friend slows down and tastes their food, instead of just inhaling it! As you can see from the photo, there are a variety of shapes and sizes available to purchase.
Do you use a slow feeder for your dog or cat? If so, we'd love to know which ones work best for you, comment photos of them below! 👇👇

08/28/2024

August Newsletter -

This month had some notable highlights such as: kids going back to school, National Dog Day, and more record-breaking temperatures! Keep reading to find out more about what we’ve been up to in August!

08/28/2024

Little Nacho just had his first sleepover with us a few weeks ago, but we're still thinking about how cute he is 😍

08/27/2024

Look at how cute Christinea and Conn are 😍Conn is one of the VIPs in our care right now, one of our favorite parts of the job is the one-on-one time that we get to spend with our guests! ❤

08/26/2024

Happy National Dog Day from BARK! We hope that you all take an extra moment today to show your pups some love ❤

08/23/2024

🫧🫧We're washing away our worries as we head into the weekend! 🫧🫧
Here's a sneak peek at how our yeards will be cleaned at BARK! We hope that you all have a safe and fun-filled weekend!

08/21/2024

Did you know that the smell center of a dogs' brain is 40x larger than the smell center of a humans' brain? 🧠
To add to that, a dogs' nose has anywhere from 125-300 million scent glands, compared to only 5 million glands in human noses! 👃

08/20/2024

Have you ever been watching TV and noticed your dog watching the screen with you? 👀
Scientists have proven that while dogs don't see exactly what we see on the screen, they do in fact watch TV! 📺
This means that leaving the TV on for your pet while you're away can help stimulate their mind, fight boredom, and keep them happier and more relaxed. 😎

08/19/2024

🗣Cat Safety!

Many pet parents prefer to hold their cat or to have them on a leash, but both of these scenarios still allow a window of opportunity to escape. 🥷
The best way to transport your feline friend is in a carrier like the one pictured above! Not only will a carrier keep your furry friend contained, but it will also provide them with a safe space while they travel. ❤️
We recommend choosing one with a built-in leash for extra security (like the one pictured above), and adding a blanket to the bottom for extra comfort😻
We'd love to hear your carrier recommendations below! 😸

08/16/2024

Happy Friday from the BARK team! We hope that you all had a great first week back to school, and that your weekend is fun and relaxing! Do you have any plans with your pets this weekend?🧘‍♀️⛱☀️

08/15/2024

Happy Relaxation Day from the BARK team! We hope that you all get into the spirit and make time for yourself today! ❤

08/14/2024

🗣Food Bowls!

Did you know that plastic food bowls can be extremely harmful to your pet? They can contain toxic chemicals, harbor bacteria, and your pet could even develop an allergy to the plastic. 🙀

If possible, purchase a set of stainless-steel or glazed ceramic bowls! Trust us, your pup will thank you! ❤🐶❤

08/13/2024

Everyone join us in celebrating one of our VIPs (Very Important Pets), Teddy! 👑

Last week Teddy passed his therapy dog screening, in preparation for his job at Damron Counseling! At BARK, we love to see people succeeding, and we could not be prouder of Teddy! Keep reading for a short profile on our furry friend! 🐾🐾

🎤Teddy's family describes him as playful! After he's all played out, his favorite activity is sleeping on the couch (don't worry Teddy, that's one of our favorite activities too!). The trait that shines the most when Teddy is on duty is his cuddliness ❤

If you see Teddy at BARK, be sure to tell him what a good boy he is (as long as he isn't on duty)! 🐶

08/12/2024

Happy Monday from the BARK team! We hope that you had an ✨amazing✨ weekend, and that you appreciate our humor more than Moki does! 🐾🐈‍⬛❤️🐾

08/09/2024

🗣Puppy Development: A Photo Journey!

08/08/2024

🗣: Cat Routines 🐱

Cats thrive on routines and set schedules! Typically, they will hunt, sleep, or expect you to fulfill tasks for them at specific times of day. When things in their day to day lives change, it can stress them out and could even lead to them becoming physically ill. 🙀

If you're experiencing behavioral issues with your cat, experts recommend trying to establish a routine for them. Cleaning their litter, feeding them, playing with them, and snuggling with them at certain times of day allows them to know what to expect from you, and will lead to a happier kitty! 😻

Do you have a routine that you follow with your feline friend? We'd love to hear about it below!⬇️

08/07/2024

🗣Breed Feature: Great Dane

"The easygoing Great Dane, the mighty "Apollo of Dogs," is a total joy to live with, but owning a dog of such imposing size, weight, and strength is a commitment not to be entered into lightly."
-The American Kennel Club 🐶

Great Danes are people pleasers that make friends easily, and they're typically patient with children. They have a very sweet nature but are also very alert home guardians. The sight of these dogs alone is usually enough to deter an intruder! 🥷 Great Danes tower over other dogs on 4 legs, and they tower over most people when they stand up on 2 legs!

Do you own a Great Dane? If so, we'd love to see your photos, be sure to comment them below! 📸

08/06/2024

🗣Enrichment Daycare: Rest Periods

In the beginning of July we posted about our enrichment daycare, highlighting all of the benefits of the enrichment structure versus the traditional pet daycare structure. We're going to go a little bit deeper today and talk about the benefits of offering your dog rest periods during their play date with us! 💤💤

We like to compare our doggy daycare to a traditional children's daycare or even pre-k! Our structure mimics an average pre-k day with free play (recess), enrichments (class time), and rest periods (nap time). Parents with small children know how vital the nap can be, and our pets really are no different! We WANT your pets to go home feeling tired and fulfilled, but we don't want them to be so tired that they can't do anything but sleep! 🥱😴

Dogs can also get stressed out being in the same yard all day, with the same dogs, and no real time to themselves to regroup. By alternating between play times and rest times we give all of the dogs the chance to decompress and be able to fully enjoy their time with the other dogs, while cutting down on stress related incidents in our play groups. ✔️

We can't wait to be able to offer our enrichment daycare to you all, and to show you the play that your dog deserves! 🐾🐶🐾

08/05/2024

🥳🎉We will be opening 4pm-6pm for lodging pick-ups and drop-offs! 🎉🥳

We will be unable to offer our grooming services today. Tomorrow morning, we'll begin rebooking those of you that had appointments scheduled for today! 📅

Thank you all for your patience through Debby! We hope that you've stayed safe through the wind and the rain. We can't wait to see you again!🐾❤🐾

08/05/2024

🗣Hot Spots!

Hot spots are a common medical condition that can affect cats or dogs. Also known as acute moist dermatitis, those spots are localized areas of skin inflammation and bacterial infection. Any condition that causes your pet to feel itchy has the potential to cause a hot spot, due to pets licking, scratching, or chewing the affected area.

If your pet gets hot spots frequently below are some common causes that you can watch out for or avoid, to help cut down on the number of outbreaks you see on your pet.

🪱Parasites
👾Flea allergy dermatitis
🍽Food allergies
🐾Atopic dermatitis
👂Ear or skin infections
❌Stress or boredom resulting in excessive licking
🤢Coat that is dirty or matted
💦Moisture trapped in the coat from swimming or bathing

08/04/2024

🛑As of right now, we will be closed for business tomorrow due to Tropical Storm Debby. 🛑

➡️➡️If your pet is currently in our care and you would like to pick them up tonight ahead of the storm, we will be waiving our Sunday pickup fee. Our pickup time this evening will remain 6pm. We will not be able to accept any pets for drop off tonight.
We will continue monitoring the weather to determine if we are able to open at all tomorrow, with the earliest time being 4pm.

We apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause but the safety of you, your pets, and our team is always our top priority. ❤️ If you have any questions for us, please feel free to email us at [email protected].

We hope that you stay safe during the storm, we can't wait to reopen and see you all! 🐾🐶🐱🐾

08/02/2024

🗣Packages and subscriptions!

The BARK team is working on some exciting updates! We've begun creating packages and subscriptions for our services! While this new project isn't quite ready to launch yet, we're very excited about the convenience and value that we'll be able to offer you all once it is ready. We'll be sure to keep you posted as we continue to develop our structure and we'll announce when the packages and subscriptions are available to purchase! This project and more are all a part of our effort to bring you the BARK that your pet deserves, at the value that you deserve! 🐾❤

08/01/2024

🗣Dog collars!

Last month we talked about the importance of cat collars, and about how choosing the right one could be the difference between life and death for your feline friend. But did you know that it is just as important to consider the type of collar that you're putting on your dog? 🐕

An average of 26,000 dogs a year suffer from injuries or fatalities due to their collars, which works out to about 71 per day. What can you do to keep your dog from being a part of those statistics? We're glad that you asked!

🐾 Microchip your pet! 🐾
Many vets recommend taking your pups collar off while they are indoors. You should only do this if you are confident that your pet won't run away and become lost. With microchipping, you can confidently leave your dog's collar off in more situations therefore cutting down on the time that they have to experience collar related incidents.

🐾Make sure that it's the right fit! 🐾
Dogs' collars should be snug but not too tight. A good way to test the fit of your pups' collar is the 2-finger rule. Collars should sit high on your dogs' neck, just behind their ears, to prevent neck injury. You should be able to easily slide 2 fingers between the collar and your dogs' neck, with a snug fit. If you have to force your fingers into the collar, it is too tight. If your fingers are not snug to the neck, it is too loose.

🐾Opt for a plain nylon collar. 🐾
There are many varieties of collar on the market, from choke collars to boutique bows. Any embellishments that hang off of your pups' collar offer more surface area to get snagged or caught on something or could even be choking hazards. While some of these collars may allow your pup to have a sense of style, the best choice for them is a plain nylon collar. In recent years, they've even created a breakaway collar specifically designed for dogs!

Be sure to take your time and do your research when buying collars for your pets, it could literally save their life! ❤🐱🐶❤

07/31/2024

🗣Did you know?

Cats sleep anywhere from 12-18 hours a day! As they age, they tend to sleep more than they did when they were younger. That brings a whole new meaning to the term 'cat nap'!

07/30/2024

Happy International Day of Friendship from the BARK team! ❤️

Since we spend our time working with man's best friend, every day feels like friendship day to us! Thank you all for entrusting us with your furry family members and be sure to give them extra love today! 🐾🐶🐱🐾

07/29/2024

July Jubilation - https://mailchi.mp/bradfordvilleark.com/july-jubilation

07/29/2024

🗣Dog Behavior!

You've probably noticed your dog turning in circles in their bed, on a blanket, or even on the bare floor before they lay down and settle in. Did you know that they do this for a variety of reasons, including ancient instinct?

Wild canines used to circle before laying down to check for predators, or even to position themselves for self-preservation. By completing a full spin, canine ancestors were able to tell which direction that the wind was blowing. By sleeping with their nose to the wind, they were able to smell a predator before the predator was able to smell them. In addition to checking their surroundings, this action flattened the grass or terrain down to make the spot more comfortable.

If you notice changes in how your dog is spinning or how long they're spinning before laying down, be sure to bring them to their vet for a check-up. Changes in this behavior could indicate neurological issues, or even conditions such as osteoarthritis.

07/26/2024

🗣Enhancement Feature: Photo Packages!

At BARK we have a number of ways to soothe your pet if they're stressed while lodging with us. Did you know that we also designed enhancements to help your stress level while you're away from your pet? Many pet parents dread being away from their pets and may spend vacations worrying about the safety and well-being of their fur babies. We are here to help!

If you are like the person mentioned above, consider adding the photo update enhancement to your pets' next stay with us! We'll send you 5 photos of your pet at whatever frequency you choose during their time lodging with us. These photos can bring you peace of mind knowing that your furry friend is safe, as well as serving as a memento for their time with us!

Be sure to ask about our enhancements the next time that you're at BARK, to find out how we can make you and your pet more comfortable during their visit with us. ❤️

07/25/2024

We're throwing shade... EVERYWHERE.

The Florida sun is both a blessing and a curse, depending on the day and the humidity level! During the summer most people shift their routines to be inside more often, but what about our four-legged friends that can't do that? At BARK, you can rest soundly knowing that they are covered - literally!

We've added quality sunshades to all of our yards to help keep your pups out of the hot sun and to help keep heat-related cases to a minimum. These shades will keep them covered whether they're in a daycare group, or out for a walk during their lodging stay with us. All of this and so much more is part of our constant effort to be the BARK that your pet deserves!

07/24/2024

We've all heard of Mother's Day and Father's Day, but did you know that today is Parent Appreciation Day?

BARK would like to take a moment to appreciate EVERY pet parent for their dedication to giving our furry friends a wonderful life! We are constantly amazed by the commitment that our clients show to their pets and their well-being, and of course we are always grateful to be a part of that care ❤️

07/23/2024

Getting a new dog is usually an exciting and happy process! There are a lot of decisions that need to be made, almost as soon as you decide to expand your family by four paws. 🐾🐾 You'll need to decide on what breed you would like, where you would like to get your new family member, whether you would like a male or female dog, etc. The choices, however, don't stop there! A responsible pet parent considers all of the above, but also what's going to happen when they get their new pet home for the first time! 🏡

Many pets are rehomed because owners haven't prepared their homes or their schedules to accommodate a new pet. Puppy-proofing may sound silly, but your belongings and wallet will appreciate the extra effort. By taking the time to pick-up or move things that your dog may be tempted to chew on, you could also be avoiding hefty vet bills down the road. Puppies also require training; they don't come into the world magically knowing tricks and commands. Making time in your schedule to work with and train your dog will benefit everyone involved, and everyone that your pet meets throughout their life as well! 🐕‍🦺

Will you allow your new pet in your bed, or on the couch? If so, it's probably a good idea to look into ways to protect those surfaces before any damage can happen to them. If you won't allow your pet on these items, have you provided them with a safe and comfortable place to lay down? 🛋🛏

These are just some examples of things that you should think about when you're considering adding a new pet to your family! Each situation is different and provides its own challenges. Making sure that you're prepared before your new pet comes home can make the transition more pleasant for you and your new fur baby. 🐶

07/22/2024

📸 Say cheese! 📸

Once a season, we offer bath specials at BARK! These specials include a day of pampering for your pup, and a themed portrait for you to take home!

Our next special will run in October, for Halloween. Be sure to keep your eye on our page, we'll make sure that you have plenty of notice to book this spooky special! 👻👻

07/19/2024

Story time.... literally!

Our BARK employees love to pamper your pets, and we go above and beyond to make sure that they have a memorable stay at our resort!

One way that we achieve that is by having story time with pets in our care. Story time is an enhancement that we offer to be added to your pets' reservation, which gives them a 15-minute bedtime story read by one of our staff members. This gives your pet one-on-one time before bed (which is the interaction that they crave the most) as well as providing them comfort through someone speaking soothingly to them.

Do you have any bedtime routines with your pet to help them get settled down and ready for sleep? We'd love to hear about them below!

07/18/2024

Did you know....

that a dog's nose print is unique, much like a person's fingerprint?

07/17/2024

With the high temperatures that we've been facing over the past few weeks, we're all spending more time indoors. For those of us with two legs it's a great chance to catch up on our TV shows, work on a hobby, or clean the house. Our four-legged friends, however, may have a harder time coming up with things to keep them busy.

One thing you can do for your pup, especially in the warmer weather, is give them a stuffed Kong! Kongs have a unique shape that allows you to fill them with whatever soft treat you would like your dog to have! Popular filling choices are peanut butter, yogurt, or pumpkin puree. Some people will even fill the Kong with their pets' meal and then seal the ends with peanut butter for really enriching treat!

Bonus points from your pup if you freeze the Kong before giving it to them!