Bark Avenue West

Bark Avenue West is a family-owned pet resort in West Des Moines that offers dog boarding, dog daycare, grooming, and training. The facility sits at 2700 University Ave, Suite 302, and takes overnight guests as well as dogs who come just for the day. Daycare dogs use the same supervised play groups and yards as boarding guests.

Services and accommodations

Boarding comes at two levels: traditional guest rooms, and luxury suites with raised beds and blankets. Staff run supervised group play for dogs who enjoy a crowd, plus one-on-one sessions for dogs that would rather spend their time with a person.

• Climate-controlled indoor play and living areas
• Outdoor K9-grass play yards with 8-foot secure fencing
• Seasonal doggie pools
• Grooming and training on site
• Medication administration and special diet handling

What sets it apart

The activity packages are worth asking about. Rather than one standard stay, owners choose the level of activity their dog gets, built from group play, individual sessions, and custom packages. Every boarding guest also gets a daily five-point wellness check.

Meals are Nutro Lamb & Rice, and owners can bring their dog's usual food instead. Staff are certified through the Outstanding Pet Care Learning Center.

Booking and hours

Bark Avenue West is open 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM on Saturday, and 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sunday. Reservations are made by phone at (515) 964-9898. Vaccinations are required for every dog, so owners should have records ready before the first stay. Because grooming and training run out of the same building, a boarding stay can be paired with a bath or a session without a second trip across town. The resort is also on Facebook and Instagram.