Please read prior to services

Contents

• General Grooming Release
• Senior Pets
• Matted Pets
• Social Media Release
• Double Coat Release
• Parasites, Fungal, and Bacterial Infections
• Ear Plucking and Anal Gland Expression
• Aggressive Pets
• Dental Health
• Cancellation Policy
• Cat Carrier Policy
• Express and Emergency Appointments

General Grooming Release

Because I care about your pet's safety and well-being, I want to assure you that every effort will be made to make your pet's visit as pleasant as possible. Occasionally, grooming can expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current one. This can occur during or after grooming. In the best interest of your pet, I request your permission to obtain immediate veterinary treatment should it become necessary. 

Because I care about your pet's safety, I want to assure you that every precaution will be taken to provide a safe and stress-free grooming experience for your pet. Due to the intimate nature of the grooming process, or your pet's tolerance level for stress, strangers, or handling, some pets can become anxious or reactive during the grooming process. If I determine that continuing the grooming service would threaten your dog's emotional or physical health, and/or my personal safety, I will discontinue the service and contact you immediately. I will take every precaution necessary to complete the grooming service safely and humanely, including the proper use of standard industry safety equipment such as grooming loops, muzzles, and restraints. By agreeing to services, you are granting me permission to utilize proper restraints for the health and safety of your pet and myself. You are also agreeing that if I deem it unsafe or unhealthy to continue, I will discontinue the service, and you will be responsible for any services rendered. 

Senior Pets

Aging and geriatric pets have a greater chance of injury during grooming. By agreeing to services, you will not hold me or my business liable for accident, injury, or death of my pet. You are also agreeing that you have disclosed any and all health conditions that could complicate grooming services, such as underlying heart or respiratory issues. 

Matted Pets

If your pet is severely matted or tangled, it is at greater risk of injury, stress, and trauma. All precautions will be taken. However, problems occasionally arise during or after grooming, such as nicks, clipper irritation, or mental or physical stress. If a pet is too matted to service safely, I will recommend you visit a veterinarian for sedated pelt removal. I will clearly communicate these risks to you after thoroughly evaluating the degree of matting. By agreeing to services, you are authorizing me to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for your pet at your expense. Also realizing that matted pets have a greater chance of injury during grooming, you will not hold me or my business liable for accident or injury to your pet. Excessive matting may incur additional expenses that I may not be able to effectively communicate before service.  Education is an integral part of my grooming philosophy, and I offer a one-time courtesy in cases of severe matting. While I do not pass judgment, I will give proper guidance on coat maintenance. However, if a pet repeatedly presents in a matted condition, I reserve the right to discontinue services in order to prioritize the animal's safety and comfort. 

Social Media Release

By agreeing to services, you are authorizing me to use photos and/or information related to your pet's experience while in my care. Your pet may be used in publications, including electronic, audiovisual, promotional literature, advertising, community presentations, letters to area legislators, media, and/or in similar ways. Your consent to this policy is freely given without expecting payment. You release me and my business from any and all liability arising from the use of such news media stories, promotional materials, written articles, videos, and/or photographic material. 

Kennel Dryer Release

The use of a kennel dryer may be safer and more comfortable for your pet. Pets drying under a kennel dryer will always be appropriately monitored. The kennel dryers that I utilize are not heated and are just circulating room temperature air. In the rare event that a heated pet dryer would be used, it will have working temperature gauges and timers. Only heated dryers specifically made for pets will be used. Manufacturer instructions will be followed. By agreeing to services, you are agreeing that a kennel dryer may be used on your dog. If you do not consent to the use of a kennel dryer, you understand that your pet may be returned to you damp, or you may need to pay an additional fee for an express service. 

Double Coated Release

Because I care about your pet, it is my obligation to inform you of the risks and possible damage of cutting or shaving any double-coated breeds. By agreeing to services, you understand that when altering the natural growth of these coats, the woolly undercoat will grow back thicker and faster than usual, and the top coat may take months or years to grow back, or it may not grow back at all. This could become a permanent condition of your pet's coat, and this could expose your dog's sensitive skin to environmental hazards, which could lead to conditions needing veterinary care, of which I and my business are not responsible. 

Parasites, Fungal, and Bacterial Infections

By agreeing to services, you are stating that to the best of your knowledge, your pet is free of fleas, ticks, and potentially contagious conditions. I do understand that the nature of a dog's coat may not always make it possible to detect these conditions. In the event that fleas, or significant amounts of flea dirt in conjunction with inflamed skin, are discovered during grooming, I must immediately treat with a nitenpyram tablet and administer a thorough flea bath. This will be at your expense. If significant flea infestation is discovered before beginning service, I will refuse service until such time as your pet has been treated for fleas. Please understand this is a policy I must make in order to protect the other pets in my care, as well as myself and other building occupants. Ticks do not pose the same risk as fleas. While using professional dryers, I can often find ticks that you cannot. I will remove a limited number of ticks. However, if it is excessive, there may be a charge for tick removal, or I may recommend you to a veterinarian for treatment if I feel that your dog's health is in jeopardy. In the event of suspicious lesions on the skin, all services will be discontinued. Conditions such as ringworm, staphylococcus, yeast, or other insignificant skin conditions are indistinguishable to the naked eye. Due to the highly infectious nature of ringworm, I must treat all of these conditions as contagious until proven otherwise. In the event that services are discontinued due to any of these conditions or parasites, payment will be due for services rendered.

Ear Plucking and Anal Gland Expression

It is my firm belief that these services are best performed under veterinary supervision. The American Veterinary Medical Association has been divided for years on the benefits versus risks of ear plucking. Each vet may have a different stance on whether ear canal hair should be removed. Some vets may even want your pet on medication prior to plucking. As part of routine grooming, I shave the hair as close to the canal as is safe. This, combined with regular ear cleaning, significantly reduces the risk of infection. By plucking the hair from the canal, it can create microscopic wounds in the ear canal, leaving a perfect avenue for infection to enter and grow. This is a service I am trained in, however, it does carry a high risk of causing or uncovering an existing ear infection. By agreeing to this service, if an ear infection arises after plucking your pet's ear hair, you will not hold me liable, and any cost of subsequent veterinary care will be at your expense. Please speak with your vet about what is best for your pet before requesting ear plucking. Anal gland expression used to be standard practice for groomers. As new science and guidance has become available, it has been discovered that external expression of the glands can be detrimental to your dog's health. When something serves correctly, there's no need to alter it. If your dog is not having issues with their glands, I could cause one by altering their natural processes. External expression can also cause muscle damage and scarring, preventing your pet from expressing their glands naturally. By agreeing to this service, if any issues with the anal glands arise after service, you will not hold me liable, and any all subsequent veterinary care will be at your expense. Please speak with your vet about what is best for your pet before requesting this service.

Aggressive Pets

Please disclose all aggression. I do take aggressive pets, but am much better able to handle these situations if I am aware ahead of service. Please be aware that any bite requiring medical treatment (Level 3-6 bites) may incur additional fees and will be reported. While I make every attempt to verify vaccination history, it is your responsibility to maintain up-to-date and accurate records. Rabies is required by state law, and in the event of a bite, you risk long, costly quarantine or euthanasia if your pet is not up to date. 

Dental Health

While seemingly unrelated to grooming, your pet's dental health affects their entire body and well-being. In the event of severely diseased teeth, service may be discontinued, and you will be responsible for services rendered. Diseased or infected teeth may cause decay of the delicate bones of your pet's jaw and mouth. Especially in the case of senior pets, they may be at heightened risk of bone fractures in the jaw. Dental exams are recommended annually, and some dogs may also need annual cleanings. I do not offer teeth cleaning or brushing. The best cure for dental disease is prevention. Brushing your pet's teeth only during grooming visits is like brushing your teeth only when you go to the hair salon- it's simply not enough. Consistent at-home dental care is essential for your pet's overall health.

Cancellation Policy

At this time, I do not have a cancellation policy. If cancellations become excessive, I will either have to require a deposit at booking or a card on file for cancellation fees. I promise to respect your time, and ask that you do the same for me. Understanding that life happens, please just communicate with me in the event that you can't make your appointment or if you're running behind. If possible, I will try to accommodate appointments within the same day, but due to the nature of my business, if you are excessively behind, we may have to reschedule for another day.

Cat Carrier Policy

All cats must arrive in a hard-sided kennel. Not only is this the safest option for transport, but it also protects your cat if they become frightened by a dog or a loud noise. Cats are very adept at unzipping or shredding soft-sided carriers from inside. 

Express or Emergency Appointments

While I am a low-volume groomer prioritizing quality over quantity, sometimes I will have to take in more than one pet at a time, or kennel dry a thick-coated dog. Express services are available for an additional fee on a case-by-case basis. In the event of dryer aggression or fear, an express service will not be available. Emergency services are available on a case-by-case basis. Examples include a pet getting skunked, being exposed to a dangerous substance, or spilling the gravy boat on them before company arrives. Please text at 405-795-9515. Please don't feel limited by standard business hours in the event of an urgent grooming need. While my phone may be on do not disturb if I'm unavailable or resting, I will do my best to accommodate emergency requests when possible. If I'm about to assist, I'll respond and coordinate a time as soon as I'm available.