About Central Bark Philadelphia
Portia joined the Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise in 2006, and opened Central Bark Philadelphia in 2007. She left behind her Project Management career in the world of digital marketing to spend more time with her feet on the ground instead of in the “cloud.”
Portia chose “the dog life” due to an inherent, lifelong love of animals, and her desire to help those who choose dogs as companions and family members succeed in those relationships.
Portia’s dedication to elevating the canine-human bond and enriching our pet dogs’ lives through engagement and communication is the “Why” behind Central Bark Philadelphia.
“In a healthy relationship, everyone needs to have a life of their own, so why not our companion dogs? To me, dog day care can be a safe, healthy way to maintain a loving, caring, and respectful relationship with your dog. Central Bark Philadelphia provides the best environment for every dog that comes through our door. Being able to tailor each dogs’ day to their needs is key to delivering on our promise to our customers.”
Portia, Central Bark Philadelphia Franchise Owner
Awards & Achievements
Central Bark® Certified
Enrichment Dog Day Care
Pet Boarding & Daycare COVID-19 Training
The Dog Gurus training
Our Family Photo Album
Mogs confidence has bloomed a thousand fold since she’s started going weekly. She always gets excited when I say “day care” & always comes home exhausted, which we love!
I adopted a second dog who was with me for a few months. Unfortunately their personalities didn’t mix in the home & it became a safety issue & he was rehomed. During the time I had him, Central Bark stepped up with advice, fitting me in for extra days & doing their best to tire him out & help him get a bit more socialization. I tried so hard & one day I walked in & just cried. Gaby gave me a great pep talk, let me cry some more & helped me recenter.
That brings me to my next point, the staff. I don’t know everyones names, but everyone there is always friendly, supportive, honest & most importantly, just love the dogs they work with. They are very flexible with requests from parents (if they’re doable) & have fun seasonal events for the pups. I know I’m missing some people, so blame it on my head, not my heart. Thank you Gaby, Kristie, Jaime, Bassam, Kensley, Marcus, Julia, Sara and the whole team! You all work so hard & so well together, handling the parents & the dogs (the dogs are the easy part)! 😊
Thanks for being such an important part of Mogwais life!
Frequently Asked Questions
Navigate to your local Central Bark website and select Book Now. Enter your phone number to log in or create a new account, then follow the prompts to Book New Appointment. Once logged in, you can also manage your account and pet information, submit updated vaccine records, view report cards, and manage upcoming visits.
Before your dog’s boarding stay, make sure your online account and required health information are up to date, including an emergency contact who can be reached if you are unavailable. Follow your local Central Bark’s instructions for food, medications, leash and collar, and any approved comfort items from home.
Central Bark’s Enrichment Day Care program has a minimum commitment of one visit per week. Regular attendance helps dogs build familiarity with the environment, people, other dogs, and routine, which supports comfort and safety. Beyond that weekly minimum, the right schedule depends on your dog’s age, energy level, personality, and individual needs.
Grooming frequency depends on your dog’s breed, coat type, coat length and condition, skin, lifestyle, and the services they need. Some dogs benefit from more frequent brushing, bathing, or coat maintenance, while others need professional grooming less often. A Central Bark groomer can help recommend a schedule based on your individual dog’s needs to help keep them clean, healthy, and comfortable.
Central Bark® Whole Dog Care
Our whole dog care approach offers a full range of fun and personalized products and services. To promote your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health and happiness throughout their entire life.
