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Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley

Dog day care center · Romeoville, IL · reviewed since 2025

How the Experts Score is calculatedEach factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (standing in the category can only raise it), then weighted; problems flagged in review highlights or a recent slide in ratings are subtracted:Satisfaction 59%93+54.6Reliability 26%88+23Value 15%94+14.3Experts Score= 92Not enough data for replies to reviews; its weight is shared by the others.Grade A: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39. Needs 10+ reviews.92SCORE
AGradeLetter from the Experts Score: A = 80+, B = 60–79, C = 40–59, D = 20–39, F = under 20.
#12 of 64 pet boarding facilitiesPosition by Experts Score among all companies we track in this category. · better than 83%
5.0 ★★★★★ 60 Google reviews · 24 photos
98%five-star reviews
4.92★last 12 monthsAverage stars on reviews from the last 12 months only.
1.6%1–2★ in 2 yearsShare of 1–2★ reviews in the last 24 months — or the 20 newest reviews when the company had fewer than 20 in that time.
100%reviews answered by the owner
Oct 2026latest review

Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley at a glance

Customers highlight the facility's daycare, boarding, grooming, and training services, noting that staff provide daily photo updates and accommodate specific schedules. Reviewers frequently praise the professional communication, ease of online booking, and the positive socialization experiences for their dogs. While the majority of feedback is favorable, one low-star review criticized the owner's internal management style and treatment of employees.

  • Google rating: 5.0 out of 5 from 60 reviews (98% five-star).
  • Reviews on this page: 61 Google reviews (57 with written comments, 18 with photos).
  • Owner responses: the business replied to 100% of reviews.
  • Most recent review: October 16, 2026.
  • Service: Pet Boarding Facility serving Romeoville, Illinois.

Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.

Score profile vs other pet boarding facilities

Score per factor (100 = best)Each factor is scored 0–100 on absolute terms (star average, share of 1–2★ reviews, price verdicts…); standing within the category can only raise it, never lower it.. Strongest: momentum and value; weakest: reliability.

Satisfaction93Reliability88Craft & service–Value94Momentum100Replies to reviews–Satisfaction: 93 (median 86)Reliability: 88 (median 78)Value: 94 (median 96)Momentum: 100 (median 100)
This companyPet Boarding Facilities median0 = centre, 100 = best
SatisfactionSatisfaction · 54% of the scoreRecency-weighted star average (2-year half-life), shrunk toward the category mean by review volume; the company’s own lifetime average as the prior; absolute: 4.0★ = 0, 5★ = 100.Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley: 93/100 on this factor. Category median: 86.A
93
ReliabilityReliability · 24% of the scoreHow rarely jobs go badly: share of 1–2★ reviews — 60% the last 24 months (or the 20 newest if fewer), 40% all-time; 0% = 100, 15%+ = 0; the category percentile can only raise it.Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley: 88/100 on this factor. Category median: 78.A
88
Craft & serviceCraft & service · penalty only, up to −10 pointsGoogle review highlights: Quality, Professionalism, Responsiveness, Punctuality — how rarely reviewers flag them as a negative, per review since highlights began; 0% = 100, 5%+ = 0. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in — clean highlights are the norm, not a bonus.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 96.–
–
ValueValue · 14% of the scoreCustomers’ own price verdicts (Great / Reasonable vs Overpriced) and Value highlights; 65% absolute (all “reasonable” ≈ 80, “great” = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley: 94/100 on this factor. Category median: 96.A
94
MomentumMomentum · penalty only, up to −10 pointsPenalises only a real slide: last-12-month average below lifetime (−0.5★ = 0). Still 4.8★+ over the last year, or steady/improving = 100. Subtracted from the score (up to −10), never averaged in.Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley: 100/100 on this factor. Category median: 100.A
100
Replies to reviewsReplies to reviews · 7% of the scoreHow often the owner publicly replies to reviews under 5★ (1–4★). Needs 3+ such reviews, otherwise not counted; 65% absolute (80%+ replied = 100), the category percentile can only raise it.Not enough reviews for this factor yet. Category median: 42.–
–

Bar = this company · dark tick = category median.

Star ratings

61 Google reviews we collected

  • 5 stars6098%
  • 4 stars00%
  • 3 stars00%
  • 2 stars00%
  • 1 star12%

Praise vs complaints

Phrases our text analysis found in 57 written reviews

  • Praise73100%
  • Complaints00%

PriceGoogle asks reviewers whether the price was great, reasonable or overpriced; these are their answers.

Price verdicts customers left with their Google review

  • Great price1338%
  • Reasonable1956%
  • Overpriced13%
  • Not sure13%

Topic share

How often each topic comes up in the written reviews

  • Staff & attitude2636%
  • Would recommend2027%
  • Quality & results1419%
  • Honesty & trust68%
  • Price & value34%
  • Speed & response23%
  • Communication23%

What customers talk about

We read 57 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.

  • “Very kind and professional and accommodating for our two dogs that stayed overnight.”
  • “I always recommend this place when anyone asks about daycares.”
  • “We have been using their grooming for several months as well and they do a great job.”
  • “She has a genuine love and understanding for dogs and is awesome at what she does.”
  • “And the rates are unbelievably affordable for everything you get!”
  • “The absolute best part is how efficient they are - no waiting around for 6 hours like at other places.”
  • “Easy to work with when I needed to change appointment time.”

People customers mention

  • Mike 9 reviews
  • Francesca 3 reviews

praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.

Reviews for your job

Customers hired Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley for 4 kinds of job. Pick one to see what they paid and said.

Recent reviews

Jim3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a week ago★★★★★

Mike and team takes wonderful care of our 4 legged family member! Thanks for all you guys do!

Reasonable priceDog daycare
patrick8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Mike and the team were great to work with! Very kind and professional and accommodating for our two dogs that stayed overnight. Great experience and will be back!

Not sureDog boarding
Brittany9 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · a month ago★★★★★

Kali LOVES central bark! We’ve tried out a few other daycare and we didn’t see such a happy puppy till we came here. Mike is awesome and super flexible and everyone is so nice!

Reasonable priceDog groomingDog boardingDog daycare
Roger5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

My dog Sosa just started at Central Bark. He is very happy and excited to attend. The staff has been great!

SteveLocal Guide · 149 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

We have used Mike’s team for boarding our GSD when we go out of town and they have grown on each other. This last week Mike was getting him more socialized in the daily updates and we could tell he was enjoying it. We have been using their grooming for several months as well and they do a great job. Thanks Mike!

Reasonable priceDog groomingDog boarding
Swenia2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews this person has written across all businesses on Google Maps (not just this one). More reviews usually means a more experienced, trustworthy reviewer. · 2 months ago★★★★★

Milo is new to daycare but he has loved it so far. He gets greeted and snuggled on the second he walks through that door (and I am sure all day as well). I appreciate getting a report card with pictures of his day. This is new to him and me so to see that he has a fun day means a lot. Everyone is super nice and caring. Highly recommend.

Reasonable priceDog daycare

Photos

Customer reviews

5.0 ★★★★★ 60 reviews on Google · rating breakdown

Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).

Jobs customers hired them for — from Google's service tags and the review text
Team members customers mention
Filter by topic — each topic is highlighted in the reviews in the same color
Jim Singer3 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Jim has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Mike and team takes wonderful care of our 4 legged family member! Thanks for all you guys do!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · a week ago

Thank you for your kind words and for trusting us with Odin. He's such a good boy!

angith bernal gomez5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews angith has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

My puppy MAX loves it whenever I take him to play at puppy happy hour.

  • Price assessment: Great price
  • Services: Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · a month ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're delighted to hear that Max enjoys puppy happy hour. We look forward to welcoming you both back for more fun times. He is such a fun little guy!

patrick bode8 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews patrick has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Mike and the team were great to work with! Very kind and professional and accommodating for our two dogs that stayed overnight. Great experience and will be back!

  • Price assessment: Not sure
  • Services: Dog boarding
Response from the owner · a month ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience! We're delighted to hear that Tony Danza and George Costanza had a good stay. We loved having them here! We look forward to welcoming you back in the future!

Brittany Patel9 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Brittany has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Kali LOVES central bark! We’ve tried out a few other daycare and we didn’t see such a happy puppy till we came here. Mike is awesome and super flexible and everyone is so nice!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog grooming, Dog boarding, Dog daycare
Response from the owner · a month ago

We love Kali too! And we're so happy you chose us. It means the world.

Roger Grant5 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Roger has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

My dog Sosa just started at Central Bark. He is very happy and excited to attend. The staff has been great!

Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that Sosa is enjoying his time at Central Bark. He's such a good boy! We look forward to continuing to provide a happy and welcoming environment for him.

Steve ALocal Guide · 149 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Steve has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We have used Mike’s team for boarding our GSD when we go out of town and they have grown on each other. This last week Mike was getting him more socialized in the daily updates and we could tell he was enjoying it. We have been using their grooming for several months as well and they do a great job. Thanks Mike!

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog grooming, Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our team. Luca is such a good boy, we love having him here!

Swenia Skinner2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Swenia has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Milo is new to daycare but he has loved it so far. He gets greeted and snuggled on the second he walks through that door (and I am sure all day as well). I appreciate getting a report card with pictures of his day. This is new to him and me so to see that he has a fun day means a lot. Everyone is super nice and caring. Highly recommend.

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog daycare
Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you for sharing this! We love having Milo with us. He's such a good boy, and he really does have fun.

christina wardLocal Guide · 12 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews christina has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

Amazing 😻 love this place

Response from the owner · 2 months ago

Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you love our place. We look forward to welcoming you and Poncho back soon!

Davina Cook2 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Davina has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

I took my dog Maia here to be groomed and I must say it was a great experience. Maia looks absolutely amazing.The staff is very friendly and welcoming. This will be Maia's permanent grooming spot. Thank you Central Bark Aurora

  • Price assessment: Reasonable price
  • Services: Dog grooming
Response from the owner · 3 months ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with us! Maia is such a cutie! We look forward to seeing you and Maia again soon!

Hector BenitezLocal Guide · 17 reviewsTotal number of Google reviews Hector has written across all businesses on Google Maps, not just this one.
Review from Google · view on Google
★★★★★

We were very happy with the care and attention to our dog for both her grooming appointment and then for a 5 day stay for boarding while the family traveled. We got daily updates on her she was doing.

  • Services: Dog grooming, Dog boarding
Response from the owner · 3 months ago

Thank you for sharing your positive experience with our grooming and boarding services. We're delighted to hear that you were satisfied with the care and attention your dog received, as well as the daily updates. We look forward to serving you and your furry friend again in the future!

Central Bark Aurora Fox Valley on Google Maps →

Business details