We kindly ask that you read through our Policies, FAQ, and Tips for Grooming Success prior to booking with Groom to Bloom. By booking your groom with us, you are agreeing with the following policies, and procedures.
We are a small team of dedicated groomers. We keep costs down by managing bookings without a receptionist. That means we cannot answer the phone during the day. We provide our full undivided attention to every furry client we see. Some dogs are easily startled, putting both the groomer and dog at risk. For the same reason, we do not accept walk-ins. Please leave a voicemail, email, or Facebook message and we will respond to at the earliest opportunity.
Policies & Procedures
For the safety, security, and sanity of your dog and your dog's groomer.
Entering and Exiting the Salon
We ask that you have your pet on a leash when entering the salon and leave it on until they are safely behind the gate. There may be another dog inside who does not get along with every dog.
Pee & Poop Business
Please let your dog do his/her business outside before bringing them in. Too frequently pets poop right after arriving and our staff has to stop what they are doing to clean and sanitize the affected area.
Cancellations, Punctuality, and Fees
Making an appointment reserves space for your pet, but when someone cancels at the last minute or doesn’t show up at all, we not only lose money from that pet but also from the pet we could have booked. We understand emergencies happen. We require 24-hours notice to cancel your appointment. No-shows and appointments cancelled without 24-hour notice are subject to a $25 rebooking fee. If you are a no-show for two or more appointments, you will be asked to find a new groomer or asked to pay in full prior to booking your next appointment.
Please arrive on time. Our days are booked with back-to-back appointments. In some cases, pets arriving more than 15 minutes late may need to be rescheduled. If you cannot pick up your dog within 1 hour of it’s finish time, a $5 per subsequent hour daycare fee will be added to your total with a cap of $25 per day per dog. All fees must be paid in full prior to booking your next appointment. HST applies. Please see all fees here.
The Grooming Process
Bath: We bathe every dog that comes in for a groom. We have plenty of different shampoos from deodorizers to hypoallergenic shampoo and conditioners. Pets skin and overall health are compromised if we do not bath. A fresh clean coat is better for the long-term maintenance of expensive equipment, which helps us keep our costs down.
Blow dry: We use a high power velocity dryer and a fluff dryer on every pet that comes in. Depending on how they tolerate the dryer depends on how long this process takes. The high power velocity dryer helps cut time and get the dog mostly dry. The fluff dryer finishes drying as we line-brush the dog. This achieves the fluffy “just been groomed” look.
Clipper/scissor/de-shedding: After the dog is completely dry. We clean ears, clip nails and trim the sanitary area. After that is when the fun begins! Depending on the breed, we either use clippers or start to de-shed the dog to get the desired look. The last thing we do is usually trimming the face. This is why we ask owners to wait until they hear from us before entering the salon for pick-up. As soon as your dog sees you they will be excited and we may not be able to finish the groom, or the dog may move mid-trim of the shears.
Tipping your Groomer
It’s like tipping your hairdresser, except they don’t have to worry about the possibility of you nipping or pooping on them! If you are pleased with the service you have received we encourage you to show your appreciation to your groomer. Although not required, a gratuity is a powerful way to say “I appreciate your work”. Even a note saying thanks for a job well-done means a great deal.
Muzzle Use
We give every dog a chance to give us a reason to use a muzzle. Our muzzles are safe, breathable and we have multiple different sizes and styles for your pet’s comfort. We only use muzzles on dogs that compromise the safety of our staff.
Anal Gland Expression
We do not offer this service, but we will check the anal glands. When Lauren was learning to groom out east it was considered practising veterinary services without a license and was illegal for groomers to perform this procedure. Anal glands should be expressed naturally when the dog has a normal bowel movement.
Ear Care and Ear Hair Removal
All pets will have their ears cleaned with a mild ear cleaner. If your pet has an ear infection we will let you know so you may consult your veterinarian. Ear hair will be removed/not removed based on your preference and your vet’s advice. Ear hair removal is typically a standard part of the grooming process. If you choose to not have our pet’s ear hair removed please let us know.