This is one of my favorite topics to write about. The grooming industry has changed so much in the years I have been grooming. Grooming was not a popular career at the time. I started out in school wanting to be a vet, and I had never even heard of grooming until I went into the Animal Care program.
Out of our class of 21, only 1 person had any interest in grooming. Yep, you guessed it, it wasn’t me. There were only a handful of grooming salons. Corporate grooming didn’t exist at all. We learned from apprenticeships and hands-on experience.
Fast forward to today.
Now there are grooming salons around every corner, a bigger percentage of vet offices have a groomer, and big box stores have salons inside of them. Grooming schools are starting to pop up, and students at the career center have to compete to get on the skills team because of the demand.
And let’s not forget about the role the internet plays in the modern grooming world too. There is so much information out there. Where do clients even begin?!
Did you know…
The grooming industry isn’t regulated.
You read that right. Anyone can open a book, buy equipment, and call themselves a groomer. There is not a governing body through which groomers have to certify. Sure, there are a handful of national organizations that groomers can join and test out on their own to gain a certificate that states they invested the time into continuing education.
I completely believe that this needs to change. The industry needs to have standards that all groomers should follow, and that is why I co-founded the Ohio Professional Pet Groomers Association. The board members and 30+ members all want some sort of regulation for safety and skill to help clients and build up the credibility and professionalism of the industry.
What is the difference between having a certificate and being certified?
Terminology plays a huge role in the confusion that surrounds the grooming industry.
As stated earlier, there are some organizations under which you can get certified.
This does not mean that the groomer has been certified to become a groomer.
What this means is that they completed a process to achieve status within that organization. This is an extremely long and expensive process. The groomers that achieve these certificates have invested a lot to gain them. Most of them are a shining example of the industry and hold a lot of merit. The system is not perfect, and there are some that move forward in their businesses and do not uphold the organization’s standards.
And then you have the schools, of which there are very few in the area. The curriculum for these courses is made up by the individual who owns the school. They fill out all the paperwork, pay their fees, and have the state do an inspection. After that, they are considered to be a state-accredited institution. Because of the lack of regulation in the industry as a whole, there are no requirements for the curriculum.
Corporate salons also train groomers in their own academies. These are not state-accredited and are regulated by the company.
Both types of institutions/academies will give out certificates to the attendees. These are just like a diploma or a certificate of attendance.
Let me be clear: I do not think there is anything wrong with learning via either avenue. I was trained as an apprentice. One way does not discredit a groomer and their capabilities.
Where do you start to find the right groomer for you?
There are many groomers that have their own individual background in the industry, and there are all kinds of different business models throughout as well. We all exist because we all cater to different people’s lifestyles and needs.
Looking for referrals and word-of-mouth recommendations are a great place to start. This will help you as a pet parent build a list of places to start researching. Keep in mind that everyone is human, so you will never hear only good reviewsabout a place. Just like looking into vets, everyone will have good and bad experiences, and that’s why I encourage to check out the websites, social media pages, and reviews. This will help narrow down the search and find the option that is right for you.
Next, I recommend that you start calling places to get a better feel for the business and those who work there. Asking questions about pricing, how drop-off and pickups work, and any other important information for you to know is a great way to do it. When I get calls like this at Awesome Paws, I like to extend an invitation for new clients to stop by and check out the place if possible (and I do recommend you do that as you research locations).
Lastly, make sure you include in your decision-making process where you feel the most comfortable and which salon best suits your needs.
There are so many options out there.
There is mobile grooming, vet grooming, in-home grooming, one-on-one services, cage-free, doggy daycare facilities that allow for extended days, and salons. Every situation is different, and the place you pick should accommodate you as you need it.
What we offer and how we operate at Awesome Paws may not be for everyone, and that is quite okay!
I highly recommend that if you decide to go the route of mobile grooming, in-home grooming, or a small salon out of someone’s home, make sure that have the proper insurance to cover your pets from any kind of accidents.
We are their voice.
I know this decision can be hard for some people. I always say to trust your instincts. If an environment or person doesn’t sit well with you, it probably won’t settle well with your furbabies either. Trusting the place you choose is number one on your list.
