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Choosing a Safe Pet Grooming Facility: Tips to Making an Informed Decision


The delicate world of pet grooming. 


In light of the current local video circulating, we want to say:

We empathize with those who have witnessed inhumane treatment in unsanitary conditions. This is not what our industry should represent.

Operating a grooming facility in such a poor manner, as observed by many of us, not only poses a threat to your companion but also undermines the value of services offered by the entire industry.


We stand with you in your search for safe facilities.


It is a tremendous privilege to be entrusted with the care of pets, but it also carries a significant responsibility. We must protect the pets, ourselves, and you from injury and trauma by ensuring a wholesome, compassionate, and clean environment for everyone involved. This responsibility also includes providing proper care and oversight for our dedicated team.


Through this blog, our aim is to assist you in identifying a secure and hygienic setting and exercising sound judgment in selecting a reputable establishment to look after your cherished pet.


We kindly ask for your help in improving the standards of all facilities to guarantee safety and compassion for all pets and individuals by reporting any unsanitary and inhumane conditions.

(link at the bottom)


Educate yourself and be mindful. Be an advocate for your pet.


Below are some key things to look for so that we may work together to ensure safer facilities.


First and foremost, take a good look around, breathe in, and listen. This alone can tell you about a facility.

An establishment that is unclean, noisy, excessively odorous, chaotic, and lacks responsibility in handling procedures creates a stressful environment and should be avoided at all costs.

If you notice visible mess, disorder, unsanitary spaces, soiled floors, or extremely smelly or noisy surroundings, exercise EXTREME caution.


Here are some things to address and check when choosing a facility:


Is the PACFA license for the facility CLEARLY displayed?

Colorado State law requires that the facility be licensed and that the license is displayed where you can see it. This license should also contain contact information for your local regulating department.


Is the facility an AKC-SAFE certified facility?

This is important because every salon certified as an AKC SAFE salon commits to humane treatment and under goes training to enhance their skills and understanding of operating a safe and humane facility. This certification also includes inspections that exceed the standards set by the PACFA agency alone. If they are not AKC-certified, consider choosing a facility that has gone through the steps to become certified.


Is it too loud?

There should be minimal barking in a well-maintained salon as dogs should feel at ease. Although some level of barking is tolerable excessive barking creates a stressful environment. Make sure the facility avoids using high-velocity dryers in the primary grooming spaces and relocates pets to quieter areas after their bath and blow out. Be sure the facility provides ear protection for pets and team members in noisy environments.


Is it dirty? Excessive amounts of clutter? Is the floor clear?

By law, salons are required to maintain clean and sealed floors. If you notice excessive amounts of hair, water, feces, or urine on the floor, exercise caution—this indicates that the salon is not meeting hygiene standards. Additionally, ensure that electrical cords are tucked away and not in walkways. Clutter and disorganization are red flags. A messy salon often reflects a lack of diligence in providing quality services.


Is it extremely odorous (stinky)?

Some wet dog smells are unavoidable, but a heavy stench indicates improper cleaning techniques, inadequate bathing area placement, or poor ventilation. Some pets get nervous and will relieve themselves in the facility, be sure it is tended to IMMEDIATELY and sanitized and thrown in receptacles outside the building.


Will they allow you to walk through the facility with them?

If you are not allowed to do a walk-through- leave. Period. Facilities should prioritize transparency and comfort. If they do not allow you to see where your pet will be, it is likely not safe.


Do they have an agreement in which you can be with your pet the entire time?

It is important that if you feel concerned about leaving your pet, they have an option for you to sit through the grooming process from start to finish.  Our website offers a release form for you to fill out before your stay if you feel you’d like to stand by.


Do they have a no-tolerance policy for drug use? Do they drug test team members?

In today's world, achieving compliance in this field is challenging; however, groomers operate in safety-sensitive positions, making it crucial for them to remain alert and prepared to react. Serenity Paws maintains a strict no-tolerance policy regarding drugs and alcohol to ensure safety standards are exceeded.


Do they facilitate an environment where they support and pay for ongoing education for their team?

Education leads to professional development and skill development that help reduce incidents.  Serenity Paws provides funding for all team members to take courses that enhance their knowledge and skills.

Continuing education is highly crucial. Make sure to check for groomer certifications. Being an AKC SAFE salon means they must display them.


What is the design of the salon layout? 

Having a facility with separate compartments is highly recommended. This layout allows for the division of different departments, such as grooming, bathing, and check-in/check-out, ensuring that dogs that have finished their treatment remain dry and away from loud noises. High-frequency noise from dryers in the bathing area necessitates ear protection for both staff and pets, making it unsuitable to have this area in the same room as the grooming section.

Compartmentalization enables the precise maintenance of each specific area and also reduces the risk of pets escaping. By segregating different sections within the facility, a calm and peaceful environment is promoted, along with ensuring proper ventilation and optimal temperature control in each designated area.


Do they have 'support staff'?

Having 'support staff' is crucial for maintaining a clean, calm, and safe environment in grooming facilities. These staff members play a key role in various tasks such as cleaning, vacuuming, answering phones, assisting with check-in and check-out, soothing dogs in distress, comforting anxious or scared pets, providing extra walks, attending to barking dogs, monitoring pets to prevent accidents, and supporting groomers in their work.

At Serenity Paws, we have a team of more than 25 dedicated individuals committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all the pets under our care. There should never be only one person in a professional salon at any given time. They need at least one other person to promote assistance and safety. (Mobile groomers are exempt from this, however Serenity Paws promotes the 'buddy system' :)


Is the facility requiring updated shot records as required by state law?

Vaccines are crucial for the health and protection of pets, as well as for the well-being of other animals they come into contact with. Ensuring pets are vaccinated is essential for maintaining a healthy salon environment and is a legal requirement.

It reduces the risk and spread of airborne diseases and can minimize symptoms if a pet does encounter an illness. Many salons might feel like they don't need vaccines if they do not have nose-to-nose contact, however, this is not good practice nor is it acceptable.

Serenity Paws requires all pets to be vaccinated unless a veterinary has deemed it unsafe for your companion. In this instance, special accommodations can be made. Serenity Paws does not allow intermingling and does not accept unvaccinated pets.


Ask your grooming salon to provide you with their incident folder. 

There isn’t a salon on the planet that hasn’t experienced an incident, and in Colorado, salons are required to maintain a log of these incidents. If a salon is open, transparent, and honest, they will allow you to access this log. They should be willing to explain their records to you and accompany you as you review them, providing insight into the delicate world of grooming. If they claim they haven’t had any incidents, it’s a good idea to question their integrity.

It is important to approach sensitive situations with an educated mindset and a willingness to ask questions and learn about the incidents that have or can occur. This will help you gain a deeper understanding of what it feels like to be in such a vulnerable position. In well-serviced facilities, accidents often result from sudden movements, sharp tools, and unpredictable behaviors, rather than from negligence on the part of the team. The incidents can be anywhere from minor to severe and can happen to team members, our/your companions, or both simultaneously. 

When incidents happen, please consider how you treat the person involved, as handlers often struggle to recover emotionally from their own feelings of guilt or sadness.


In the event they have an incident/emergency, how do/did they resolve it?

Ensure prompt resolution. Confirm they have insurance and are willing to cover costs for any incidents they cause. This includes workers' compensation insurance for their team.


Do they have a veterinarian close by and/or do they have a vet they use?

Serenity Paws has a formal partnership with licensed veterinarians in our area, and we will also cooperate with your preferred vet in the unfortunate event of an injury.


Are the groomers general contractors do they dress and act professionally?

If the groomers are general contractors, you may face increased risk if something happens to them or your pet, especially due to the lack of insurance they may hold.
All members of the Serenity Paws team are considered employees and are covered under our licenses, business insurance policies, and workers' compensation insurance.

Furthermore, some individuals might underestimate the significance of a uniform, yet it clearly demonstrates their commitment to their responsibilities. It is important to prioritize professionalism.


Verify their licenses.

If your dog stays in the facility for more than 4 hours, having a grooming license alone may not be sufficient. Extended waiting periods necessitate a boarding license, along with a designated area for the dogs to relieve themselves.

Furthermore, additional licenses are necessary for walking your pet outside for bathroom breaks or transporting them in a vehicle. Serenity Paws holds three distinct PACFA licenses to cater to your companion's needs - Grooming, Boarding, and Handling (encompassing training and transportation).


Are there security cameras in the facility? 

The facility leaders and their teams must closely monitor every aspect of the process to maintain high standards. Serenity Paws supervises and records activities at the facility.


Do they offer ‘comfort grooms’?

Respectfully, grooming serves a health purpose rather than being solely about vanity. There are instances where a pet may not be able to handle an extensive grooming session due to factors like age, health, behavior, or condition. In such cases, it is crucial for a grooming facility to provide a 'comfort groom' that prioritizes the pet's well-being, even if it doesn't result in a perfectly polished appearance. It is essential that the facility communicates with you both on a personal and professional level to help walk you through this type of groom.

Serenity Paws prioritizes humanity over vanity.


Keep in mind-

Despite high safety standards, team drug testing, and zero-tolerance policies, groomers, like many other professionals across various industries, still face inevitable risks and challenges on a national scale.


To reduce these risks, it is essential to implement strict policies and procedures, comply with and aim to exceed PACFA requirements, and create a peaceful environment to minimize stress-related noise. Additionally, we should prioritize good organization, maintain hygiene and transparency, promote continuous education, uphold a professional appearance, encourage teamwork, enforce rigorous hiring standards, and implement drug testing protocols with appropriate corrective measures.


**Incident Handling at Serenity Paws**


This document outlines the procedures for managing incidents at Serenity Paws, ensuring a clear and effective response to any situations that may arise.


Our team is animal CPR and First Aid trained, and undergoing training for human CPR and First Aid with some qualified individuals already on staff so that they may be more adept at recognizing the various levels of severity. In all cases, we will act in our preparedness to take a pet to the vet immediately. Our salon sees high volumes at times and has even had pets who have had heart attacks, panic attacks, and strokes as well as some minor injuries on occasions. Because of our efforts to remain prepared and safe, these incidents were handled with extreme care and professionalism.


In an unfortunate event, an incident DOES occur- we act immediately to evaluate the seriousness of the incident/wound.  If the injury, abrasions and/or cuts are not severe, we always give the client the liberty to choose whether or not they want to go to a veterinarian to have things evaluated and we will cover the cost.  In some minor cases, we always recommend care, but an emergency vet visit may not be practical so we will work closely with you to make that decision.

In more serious incidents, we have respectfully requested your permission through our release forms to transport your pet to a veterinary clinic at our discretion.



We kindly request your cooperation by staying educated, upholding facilities to a higher standard, and helping your companion with socialization and routine grooming and handling.

This will enhance our endeavors to ensure that they have a safe and stress-free experience.

Our salon has a personal obligation to our clients to be transparent and we will always do what it takes to make sure we can earn your trust and ultimately your forgiveness in the unfortunate event of an accident.


Be relentless in your pursuit of finding a safe facility.

We love them. We love our team. We love you.

 

With all my care and concern,

 

Angela K Bonham


File a complaint in Colorado:

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