08/25/2026
I debated on talking about this but I think it's the right thing to do. I, like much of our community, am heartbroken over what happened locally with an unlicensed, unregulated grooming and boarding "business". I was sick about it all weekend imagining what those dogs went through. It makes us ALL look bad and the industry owes it to the dogs in our care to do better.
I take this personally because I spend every minute of my life thinking about FPC, wondering how we can do better, continuously educating myself and my team, but the thing is, it actually isn't hard to do things the right way. We don't find it difficult to do things properly, because we price ourselves to make sure we can.
Grooming in Illinois isn't regulated at all. No licenses or inspections needed. We get inspected for daycare, but they don't even look at the grooming side of the building. The only thing protecting your dog is whether the place you choose actually holds itself to a higher standard of care.
Things can happen anywhere. Cuts, scrapes, a bug going around, that's the nature of the work. What matters is whether a place is honest with you and does everything it can to prevent it.
Please research your providers. Have the tough conversations. Ask the questions that feel awkward to ask. Don't be afraid to be picky or hold them to a higher standard of care.
Thank you to all of the places who stepped up and continue to step up for the animals in our community. We see you and we appreciate you more than you know.
Most importantly, thinking of every family and dog affected by the local, unlicensed "business." We hope you get the peace and accountability you deserve.
We will keep working hard to make a difference in this industry.
