Review: Bark Works

Good dogs die when you breed or buy. Shelter adoption saves a life.

We bought a cute puppy at Bark Works in Mission Viejo over Christmas. Within 5 days of purchase, our cute puppy came down with Kennel Cough! We called the 24 hour vet that we were referred to by Bark Works for all medical needs.(Bark Works suggest you go that Doctor and will pay for any medical issues up to a year) Unfortunately they open at 8:00 AM. Our family was catching a plane at 9:00 AM and our puppy needed to be seen ASAP. The operator answering exchange for the doctor who Bark Works recommended we see, suggested that we take the dog to urgent care since they weren't open till 8:00 and the dog needed to be seen ASAP because we were leaving town... Needless to say, this store wouldn't reimburse us for the out of pocket medical care that we needed because we had to go outside their recommend doctor! Their Doctor wasn't available to help us when our sick puppy needed to be seen. What's up with this?? They would still have to pay for medical treatment anyway! This is bad business!!

It's almost been a year since we brought our sweet little Boston Terrier. He has been diagnosed with a severe case of demodex(skin disease) & we've been treating for the past 7mos. The vet that works with Bark Works missed diagnosed him on 2 different occasions and wanted to claim it was allergies. By the time we took him for a second opinion the demodex was really out of control. My poor puppie now has to see a special dermatologist. On top of everything else he has developed a secondary staph infection that is resisitant to most antibiotics. We've spent close $2000 already with no end insight. Bark Works is responsible for his vet bills up to 150% of the cost of the dog- We've already hit this mark. Bark Works has only reimbursed us $400!!! Are you kidding?! Now, its gotten to the point that there's nothing we can do about it & we just need to give him up but, we've become so attached; how is this right. I just wish that Bark Works had higher standards for choosing breeders because this is a genetic disorder that caused the Demodex. Be warry people!!!

Why would you ever buy a puppy if you were going on a plane in 5 days. Puppies need time to transition and are full of stress. That was probably what led to the weakened immune system and the Kennel Cough. It is not responsible and it does not make sense at all that you would do that. You should have better timed it so you could spend the time that was needed with your puppy. Shame on you.

Little Dog Lover wrote:

We bought a cute puppy at Bark Works in Mission Viejo over Christmas. Within 5 days of purchase, our cute puppy came down with Kennel Cough! We called the 24 hour vet that we were referred to by Bark Works for all medical needs.(Bark Works suggest you go that Doctor and will pay for any medical issues up to a year) Unfortunately they open at 8:00 AM. Our family was catching a plane at 9:00 AM and our puppy needed to be seen ASAP. The operator answering exchange for the doctor who Bark Works recommended we see, suggested that we take the dog to urgent care since they weren't open till 8:00 and the dog needed to be seen ASAP because we were leaving town... Needless to say, this store wouldn't reimburse us for the out of pocket medical care that we needed because we had to go outside their recommend doctor! Their Doctor wasn't available to help us when our sick puppy needed to be seen. What's up with this?? They would still have to pay for medical treatment anyway! This is bad business!!

This is a very common thing... my dog had it as well, and was from one of the top breeders. It is from the mother and will go away. At least you got 150% back, it is not their fault you paid such a low cost for the dog. The breeder did nothing, just said they could replace my dog. I had him for months. Be thankful.

Sara wrote:

It's almost been a year since we brought our sweet little Boston Terrier. He has been diagnosed with a severe case of demodex(skin disease) & we've been treating for the past 7mos. The vet that works with Bark Works missed diagnosed him on 2 different occasions and wanted to claim it was allergies. By the time we took him for a second opinion the demodex was really out of control. My poor puppie now has to see a special dermatologist. On top of everything else he has developed a secondary staph infection that is resisitant to most antibiotics. We've spent close $2000 already with no end insight. Bark Works is responsible for his vet bills up to 150% of the cost of the dog- We've already hit this mark. Bark Works has only reimbursed us $400!!! Are you kidding?! Now, its gotten to the point that there's nothing we can do about it & we just need to give him up but, we've become so attached; how is this right. I just wish that Bark Works had higher standards for choosing breeders because this is a genetic disorder that caused the Demodex. Be warry people!!!

I bought a little morkie puppy in August. I took her to a vet..not the one that they suggested. my puppy also had kennel cough but my vet says anytime you get a puppy anywhere and they are around other dogs they can get this. The fact is that if you can't afford to pay for a dog you shouldn't get one. She is a a beautiful, energetic puppy..now I don't agree with the puppy mills but someone has to take these dogs just because they come from a mill doesn't mean they don't need love too...also, get a mixed breed if you don't want major problems..the pure breeds get sick a lot they are for people that can afford that.