Press Release: The Barkgata

Meet Bianca, founder of Long Island’s top-tier dog daycare and boarding destination

99A Lake Avenue South, Nesconset • 631.888.3500 
1661 Broadhollow Rd., Farmingdale • 631.888.3833
BarkgataPetHotel.com

For Bianca, dogs have always been more than pets–they’re family. That belief is the heartbeat of The Barkgata, the luxury dog daycare, boarding, and spa business she built from the ground up on Long Island. “I always knew I wanted to work with animals,” Bianca says. “I just didn’t know it would turn into this.”

Bianca’s inspiration traces back to her childhood pit bull, Delilah–an anxious dog who never thrived in traditional kennel environments. “She’d come home exhausted from barking, her elbows raw from laying on hard floors. It broke our hearts,” she recalls. Those kennel stays were often necessary when the family traveled, but they left Delilah stressed and depleted. That experience stayed with Bianca and ultimately shaped the foundation of what would become The Barkgata.

Founded in 2022, The Barkgata began in Smithtown and recently expanded to its brand new second location in Farmingdale. From the start, Bianca’s goal was to offer something different–a place where dogs feel safe, understood, and genuinely cared for. The Barkgata isn’t just a daycare center, it’s a second home. Designed with intention, both the Smithtown and Farmingdale locations reflect the comfort and warmth of Bianca’s own home, from cozy wood paneling to a thoughtfully curated ambiance. “I want dogs to feel safe here. It should feel like a place they want to go to– not a place they’re left at.”

Every detail at The Barkgata speaks to Bianca’s commitment to individualized care. For the well-being of all their canine guests, each dog entering the facility is evaluated before being accepted into daycare or boarding. Routines are tailored to suit each dog’s personality and needs. As Bianca explains, “Whether it’s playtime with others, quiet time alone, or a special diet–no two dogs are alike. Each dog is treated individually.”

That dedication extends to her team as well. Bianca is proud to run an all-female staff, many of whom started on the ground floor and have grown alongside the business. “It’s a team effort. We know the hard days, the rainy days, the messy days–and we have each other’s backs.”

Transparency is another core value. Bianca runs The Barkgata’s social media herself, posting photos and videos daily so pet parents can see exactly how their babies are doing. “That one happy picture can bring so much peace of mind. I want people to feel connected, even when they’re apart from their dog.”

The Barkgata has also become a true community hub, hosting events like anniversary parties, dog-friendly celebrations, and even supporting clients on their wedding days by offering pet chaperone services–where staff bring and care for the couple’s dog so it can be part of the big day.

Looking ahead, Bianca dreams of expanding The Barkgata into a full-service pet resort–but only in a way that maintains the care and quality that aligns with client expectations. “I never want it to feel like a factory,” she says. “This is personal for me.”

And the best part? “Seeing a dog walk in, tail wagging, excited to be here–that’s how I know we’re doing something right. Dogs can’t fake it.”