05/12/2022
As many pet parents know, it’s a tall order to find a groomer who is not only compassionate and good at their craft, but one who also has the availability to take on new clients. The post below was shared from the Professional Pet Groomers of MN and is a quick but informative read regarding this very topic.
“We love your pets, and love helping you take care of them and keep them looking and feeling their best. Last year’s challenges have taken a toll on all of us. In the grooming industry, it meant closing our doors temporarily, and enforcing standards laid out by the state directing how we could reopen. It meant a reduced workforce, as grooming schools closed, older groomers opted for an early retirement, and parents stayed home with distance-learning children. And it meant an increased demand, as millions of families added pets during quarantine. Our shops are short-staffed and in high demand. Meanwhile, the popularity of large, long haired breeds like doodles has exploded, many dogs have had to go longer in between grooms, and dogs obtained during quarantine are not used to grooming, meaning we need to block off more time for many of our appointments. In order to keep up with rising costs, attract new workers, and cover the time needed for lengthier appointments, many of us have chosen to raise our prices. It is never an easy decision, as we know some people struggle to afford quality care for their pets, and many are facing their own challenges from the past year. But it is a necessary move to keep our industry going. Hearing complaints from clients about pricing is like being told that what we do is not valued. That we as groomers (and the services we offer) have little worth. Professional pet grooming has never been an easy job. It is physically, mentally, and emotionally exhausting. It takes patience, strength, knowledge, and skill. A good, safe, qualified, compassionate groomer is very hard to come by, and those that push themselves too hard can suffer injuries or burnout and end up leaving the industry. Please, respect our limits. When we say we are booked a week out, that means we can’t fit in one more appointment. When we say we need to shave your pet, that means we can’t safely or humanely demat the hair. When we say your groom will cost x amount of money, that means we need to charge that price to keep our business running. Remember that we are only human too, and we are all just doing the best we can. Thank you, The Professional Pet Groomers of MN”
