Our Comments About Grooming Standards

We are often questioned after a news story appears detailing a tragic injury or death to a pet at a grooming facility about our standards and policies. In order to inform the public and our clients, we have decided to comment here about our standards, practices and safety requirements.

Standards

Standards for each pet vary due to the coat condition, health issues and behavior of the pet. The ultimate standard we strive to adhere to is to have a clean, dematted and healthy pet when the owner comes to pick up their pet. Safety is our highest priority. No pet is allowed to stand alone on a grooming table. Bathers are required to have one hand on a pet while on the table at all times, and no pet is allowed to jump up on or off the grooming tables. They must be lifted and placed upon the table or if a large breed, the table lowered for the pet to step on or off. Grooming leads are required to be used when the pet is on the table. Each table is cleaned before the next pet is put on it.

No pets are dried using heated cage dryers at our facility. The kennel dryers we use are non-heated and a pet is not allowed to be completely dried by this method. Velocity dryers used are heated but are not held on the pet in one place for a long time. Velocity dryers are used to remove a large portion of the moisture after the pet is towel dried and before fluff drying. Injury from velocity dryers, like any tool, can occur if proper safety standards are not used, however all personnel at our facility are trained in the proper use of velocity driers and are observed by management during their use. For an added layer of safety, all grooming areas at our facility are video recorded for review by management if a safety question arises. Fluff dryers used are also heated but are moved often over the body of the pet preventing overheating.

Since safety is one of our highest priorities, at no time will a groom or bath continue if the pet is observed to be in distress. The owner will be notified immediately and if necessary, a staff member from Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C. will take the pet to a licensed veterinarian.

With all industries, even with the most stringent health and safety standards in place, accidents will happen. We are working with active pets around sharp scissors and clippers. Nicks and cuts can and do occur. Behavior and coat condition contribute to most clipper abrasions or nicks and all owners sign a binding release form informing them of the possibility of such injuries. We strive to keep such occurrences to a minimum, but if such an occurrence happens, we evaluate it, photograph it, log it and make written or verbal notice to the owner. We are often finding pre-existing nicks, cuts, tumors, parasites and other health conditions on a pet before we even get started grooming the pet that the owner is unaware of. Again, if any pre-existing injury or medical condition is found, it is documented, the pet is evaluated to be able to be groomed and notice is given to the owner either immediately by phone or at pick up. Elderly pets as well as cats are prone to health problems and for that reason, the only the pet stylist works on such pets. This way her training and experience can be used to observe and work the pet through the grooming process in a manner as safe as possible.

Sanitation is another question posed to us by our clients. All floors, kennels and other surfaces that come in contact with your pet are sanitized daily with veterinarian grade disinfectants or in between pets as in the case with grooming tables or kennels. All brushes, combs and other hand tools are UV sterilized and clipper blades are cleaned in a sonic cleaner. Pets visiting our facility are required to be up-to-date on all vet recommended vaccinations, and any pet showing signs of illness is quarantined and the owner is required to pick up the pet immediately.

A Kristin's Whiskers & Paws, L.L.C., we know your pet is a family member and as pet owners ourselves, we strive to provide the most professional, safe and clean grooming environment for your pet. And since there is no licensing in the state of Texas, we have taken it upon ourselves to voluntarily train our staff to the standards of the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists. Kristin has also voluntarily certified as a Dermatech Specialist by the ISCC since 2007 at her own time and expense.

We do hope this has answered any questions you may have. Many other topics and policies are covered on our website, the client's yellow copy of the pet inspection/release form, our orange general policy brochure, our biyearly newsletters or in one of our many informative brochures available at our facility.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask our manager or pet stylist.