ISCC Certification

Kristin's Whiskers and Paws is proud to announce that we are the ONLY grooming shop in Lubbock with our lead pet stylist certified as a DermaTech Specialist by the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists. What does this mean to you?

Well, for one, since there is no licensing or oversight for groomers in Texas, we have taken it upon ourselves train and certify our stylists to the standards of the ISCC. Second, we will be the ONLY grooming facility in Lubbock with its lead pet stylist internationally certified. And finally, you can rest assured that your pet will receive the best coat and skin care in town.

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Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide quality, caring, and humane grooming services in a clean, safe environment. It is our daily goal to provide information to our clients to help them make sound grooming and health decisions for their pets. It is also our goal to continue to educate ourselves on every aspect of pet care.

We will always be committed to a high degree of excellence, integrity, and professionalism.

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Bath & Brush

Our baths consist of an initial hands-on coat and skin evaluation. At this time any skin or health problems are noted and proper treatment is prescribed. Then the ears are cleaned, hair plucked and nails trimmed. The pet is then bathed with the HydroSurge™ Bathpro™ 5.1 bathing system with required shampoos and conditioners, and the anal glands are externally expressed. Any extra requested services such as teeth brushing, SPA treatments, dipping, or the FURminator® treatment are also performed at this time. After the bath, the pet is towel dried, velocity dried, and, finally, fluff or kennel dried and finished with a comb through with a fine-toothed greyhound comb. If requested, cologne and a bandana or bows are applied.

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Grooming/Styling

Grooms consist of everything in the bath & brush with the inclusion of the hair styling/trim specified for your pet's breed or coat condition.

Grooming terms

Grooming should be done at least once a month, not only to keep your pet's coat free from dirt, oil, matts and parasites, but also to keep the nails, anal glands and ears in a healthy condition. If you go longer between grooms, we suggest at least getting a bath and brush in between. We also suggest setting up your next appointment when you pick up your pet as we book up quickly.

Here's some common grooming misconceptions and facts.

Puppy Grooms

Puppies should start the grooming process as soon as possible. We suggest starting them just after they have their second set of puppy shots, or around 12 weeks old. We find that having an early start on grooming leads to a happier, healthier pet. Here is what what one resource says about grooming Fox Terrier puppies, but the advice applies to all puppies.

Special Friends

Here are some pictures of our special friends.

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FURminator® Shed-less Treatment

The FURminator® Treatment will make both long- and short-haired cats and dogs look and feel better. Within one to two treatments, the FURminator® has been proven to reduce shedding up to 90%.

The FURminator® starts with a bath & brush. Once the pet is clean, it is then soaked in the FURminator® Shed-less solution to loosen dead hair and undercoat. After soaking the pet is velocity dried to remove a large portion of the loose hair, and then the FURminator® tool is run over the pet to remove the rest.

Allergy sufferers may breathe easier after your pet has had the FURminator® Shed-Less Treatment. Reducing the amount of pet hair in your environment also reduces the amount of dander and airborne elements that cause allergic reactions in many people.

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SPA Packages

Lavish your pet with one of our botanical plant and flower extract spa treatments.(Prices shown are in addition to base groom or bath prices)

Ultimate Spa     $23.00
includes Fresh Bath Shampoo, Fresh Facial Scrub, Nail Buff, Paw Treatment, Refreshing Aromatherapy Treatment and Nourish Vitamin Conditioner

Renew Spa       $14.00
includes Renew Bath Shampoo, Fresh Facial Scrub, Renew Aromatherapy Treatment and Nourish Vitamin Conditioner

Comfort Spa      $10.00
includes Comfort Bath Shampoo, Comfort Aromatherapy Treatment and Nourish Vitamin Conditioner

Introducing the addition of Spa Colors™ Shampoos. Spa Colors™ adds naturally derived, temporary color and highlights to your pet's coat. Colors include: Black, Brunette, Golden Blonde and White.

Add a Spa Colors™ enhancing shampoo to any Spa Package for just $5.00 more or alone with Spa Colors™ Support Conditioner for $10.00

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Pick Up & Delivery

Dirty dogs, large dogs, multiple pets - all are no problem with our pick up and delivery service. We have a dedicated air conditioned van with secured pet kennels to safely transport your pet to and from your home or business. There's no need to worry, we'll do the driving for you. With convenient pick up scheduling between 7:30 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., we can work around most schedules. Call today for a price quote at 687-4914.

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Time Out

It is our policy to get your pet out in a timely manner. A client may bring in a pet before its appointment, but it will not start the grooming process until its SCHEDULED APPOINTMENT TIME. All pets will be at our facility for a MINIMUM of 4 HOURS. Clients with multiple pets, large breed pets, pets with behavior issues, pets in poor condition, or pets with thick coats may take longer. If you require your pet out in under 4 hours, there will be a 100% Rush Fee applied to the base price. Please discuss any time issues you may have with the manager at the time the appointment is made.

If a pet is not picked up by our posted closing time, there will be a $1.00 per minute after-hour pickup fee applied to the client's bill.

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Pricing

Pricing is based upon breed, and can be affected by many factors.

Prices quoted are BASE PRICES ONLY, and are dependent upon the pet being standard to the AKC breed size and in good condition. Prices quoted over the phone are estimates only and may be adjusted upon inspection of the pet. Over-sized, overweight, matted, excessively dirty pets, or pets requiring a special pattern cut will require additional charges.

Other conditions that may require additional charges are: mixed breeds, biting, hyperactivity, cage or dryer anxiety, incontinence, fleas or ticks and old age. Additional charges can range from $2.00 and up depending upon the circumstances.

Because there may be additional charges incurred during the course of the bath or groom, prepayment is not allowed.

Prices and policies are subject to change without notice.

Here is a list of prices for common breeds and extra services.

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Matts

Matting is considered any tangling, clumping, the presence of foreign matter in a pet's coat, or excessive undercoat that takes an extended effort and time to remove. Matts are usually present under legs and around the neck. To test for presence of any matting on your pet, run a metal comb through the coat of the pet down to the skin. Any tangles or clumping you find is considered matting.

Since matting takes longer to remove, dematting charges are applied to the base groom price. As the extent of matting cannot be judged until the pet goes through the bathing/grooming process, an estimation of these charges cannot be given at drop off time.

Dematting can vary by the processes used, and time required for removal. The age and behavior of the pet are also factors in dematting. Simple dematting is performed by using a metal comb, rake or slicker brush. Severe dematting requires use of a matt comb, scissors, or shaving. Any dematting comes with side effects. They can range from redness, red spots, bruising, nicks, cuts and/or clipper burn. Severely matted pets may require the attention of a veterinarian. Severe matting can cut off blood supply to extremities, and can cause open sores.

PLEASE NOTE: CONTRARY TO REQUESTED DEMATTING AND STYLING BY THE OWNER, KRISTIN'S WHISKERS & PAWS, L.L.C. RESERVES THE RIGHT TO HUMANELY SHAVE ANY MATTS. MATT STRIP FEES WILL APPLY.

See what coat neglect and matting look like.

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Behavior/Elderly Pets

Pets exhibiting any of the following are considered to have behavior issues:

Biting
Nipping
Scratching
Hyperactivity
Incontinence
Anxiety - digging/biting at cage, diarrhea or vomiting

If you know that your pet exhibits any of these behaviors, please inform the receptionist at drop off. The quality of the groom/bath is greatly affected by the behavior of the pet, and we do not promise a perfect groom with pets exhibiting behavior issues. Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C. will not be held liable for any injury a pet with behavior issues sustains at the shop.

If the pet requires extra handling and time due to behavior issues, the client will be charged accordingly. Client's are liable for any damage their pet causes.

Muzzling

If the pet exhibits biting, nipping, or cage anxiety, the pet will be muzzled to protect the pet, as well as our staff. Muzzling is necessary to protect the welfare of everyone involved with the pet. If a pet bites a staff member severe enough to require medical attention, by law the pet must be seized by the animal control authority, and placed under observation. Since safety is our main concern, ALL PETS exhibiting these behaviors will be muzzled.

Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C. reserves the right to terminate the grooming/bathing process at anytime the staff feels it is unsafe or unhealthy for the pet to continue. The pet must be picked up immediately upon notification, and the client will be liable for the costs of any property damage, personal injury, and/or procedures performed up to that time.

Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C. reserves the right to bar any pet based upon breed or past behavior issues.

Elderly Pets

An elderly pet is any pet over the age of 7. As other methods of dematting cause undue stress, elderly pets will be shaved to remove any matting. Elderly pets exhibiting anxiety or health problems will not continue the grooming/bathing process, and the owner must pick up the pet immediately upon notification. Please inform the receptionist about any health issues or changes to your pet's condition upon arrival. If your pet requires special handling, additional charges may apply.

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Sitting With Pets

Many clients believe sitting with their pet at the groomer helps alleviate stress, and that they can "help" the groomer with any behavior issues or health problems. Unfortunately, this is quite the opposite. When owners are near the pet, the pet wants to get to them instead of sitting quietly for their groom. Also, sitting with the pet makes the pet more anxious, exacerbating the situation. For this reason, along with insurance concerns, Kristin's Whiskers and Paws does not allow any sit-ins. If your pet has behavior, health or anxiety issues, please discuss them with the receptionist when the appointment is made.

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Flea & Tick Dip

Any pet found to have live fleas or ticks will be dipped with a pour-over pyrethin pesticide even if they have been previously treated with a long-lasting topical pesticide, and a $9.50 per pet dipping fee will be applied to the base groom or bath price. This is done to prevent spreading pests to our other clients and for the general welfare of the pet. We do not dip pets not having live fleas or ticks unless specifically requested to do so by the owner. If your pet has a sensitivity to pyrethrin dip, please inform the receptionist at drop off. Dips are performed only in conjunction with a groom or bath - no dip only's. We do this because if a pet is dirty, the dip will not penetrate the coat and kill the pests effectively. Since pyrethrin dip is not a preventative, a secondary long-term treatment with an insect growth inhibitor will be needed 48 hours after the dip to control future infestations. We suggest you rotate brands occasionally to prevent any possible resistance to specific active ingredients. It is also advised to professionally treat your yard, home and any areas the pet frequents at least twice in 30 days, and then continue a maintanence schedule of once every 3 months thereafter.

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No-Shows

A client is considered a no-show when over 30 minutes late to an appointment without a phone call notifying us, or missing an appointment completely. A cancellation call must be received 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Failure to give 24-hours notice will result in the application of the no-show fee. Calling to reschedule an appointment without 24 hour notice is also considered a no-show.

ALL NO-SHOWS, first time, standings, as well as new clients, will be charged a $20 per pet no-show fee.

For a second no-show, we will require a valid credit card number on file to accept future appointments. Also, clients having a standing appointment status will lose future standing appointments, and will be charged at the regular groom/bath rate.

If at anytime that a client refuses to pay the no-show fee, the client will lose all grooming privileges at Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C.

The only exception for a no-show will be if the client had a medical emergency, illness of client or pet, or a death in the immediate family. Weather is NOT a valid excuse for a no-show unless roads are closed by the city or state, or our area is under a severe weather warning. Also, inability to catch or find your pet, especially cats, is not a valid excuse and a no-show fee will be applied.

We understand that our clients are busy and unexpected situations occur, but an appointment is a business agreement, and, as such, must be taken very seriously.

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Client Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of the clients to allow their pet to go to the bathroom, eat, and have water BEFORE coming to the groomer, and to make known any changes in their pet's health condition upon arrival. Client's will be held liable for any illness their pet spreads. Clients are responsible for discussing all requested services for their pets at drop off time, NOT when the appointment is made, and making themselves aware of our policies and procedures. All pets must be up to date on all vaccinations before visiting the groomer. All pets must be leashed or held coming and leaving the shop, and cats must come in their own carriers. Owners are responsible for controling his/her pet(s) from the parking lot to the reception area. Owners should not allow any pet to walk free in the parking area or sidewalk. NOTE: THERE WILL BE A $5.00 PET CLEAN UP FEE CHARGED TO ANY CLIENT THAT ALLOWS THEIR PET TO RELIEVE ITSELF IN FRONT OF THE SHOPPING CENTER OR TREE. THE DESIGNATED AREA FOR YOUR PET IS ON THE GRASS AT THE WEST SIDE OF THE BUILDING.

The physical condition of the pet is responsibility of the client. It is an understood practice in the grooming industry that the client will provide basic coat maintenance between grooms. It is also understood that all pets require grooming at least once a month. Pets coming less than once a month and are in poor condition will be charged a maintenance fee. Clients will be held liable for any damage or injury their pet causes.

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Standing Appointments & Discounts

Standing appointments are a convenience service provided for our clients. Standing appointments can be made weekly, biweekly, or every three weeks. A 10% discount off the base groom price is given for weekly and biweekly standing appointments only. This discount does not apply to dematt charges or any additional service charges. Prices are subject to base price adjustments. Changes to the appointment schedule must be made 7 days in advance and are subject to availability. Since we place standings in our appointment book for the year, a $5.00 charge will assessed to any standing who makes frequent changes to their appointment schedule.

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Pet Health Evaluations

If any health or behavior issues are noted during the course of bathing or grooming your pet, a written pet evaluation will be given to the owner upon pick up. Pet evaluations are provided to make note of any symptoms the pet displays, and also to help the owner describe those symptoms to their vet. At no time is the evaluation meant to diagnose, treat or replace the opinion of a licensed veterinarian.

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Required Vaccinations

Texas State Law Section 169.29 requires that all pets be vaccinated for rabies. In concern for the welfare of all our clients' pets, Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C. also suggests distemper, parvo, bordetella, and for cats feline leukemia vaccinations and/or any other standard vet recommended vaccinations and intervals. Any pet not having proof of up-to-date vaccinations on file with their vet will not be groomed. If you don't have written proof, have your vet's name available for verification.

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Release Forms

A release/general inspection form must be filled out once a year on all clients' pets, or as conditions warrant. As health and physical conditions of the pet(s) change and grooming procedures required by the pet change, information about the pet must be updated. Clients are also updated as to any treatments, charges, and potential risks associated with specific procedures that their pet may require.

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