Hairy Policies
860-941-8191
"First, do no harm."
- Hippocrates -
"Tips cheerfully accepted!"
- Karen Boehm -
Groomer can not accomodate
Uhhh...I don't think so..
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Appointment time:
Dirty Hairy will always endeavor to arrive at the client's home at the sheduled time. However, Hairy will never rush a previous appointment to get to the next client on time. To do so would put the previous client's pet at risk and is also dangerous for the groomer. While we always schedule appointments in such a way as to allow down time to reach the next appointment, difficult grooms, or unexpected circumstances during the groom, may result in a late arrival at the next client's home. Dirty Hairy will always call to let the next client know of any changes in arrival time. If necessary, the client may opt to reschedule if the change creates a conflict in their own schedule. Groomer will make every effort to reschedule for the client's first available convenient time.
Payment:
Cash only for the first groom, please, after which checks are fine. Dirty Hairy is unable to accept credit cards. Payment in full is expected at the end of the grooming session. Returned checks will be subject to a $20.00 returned check fee, as well as a cash payment for the groom.
Styling policy:
Dirty Hairy will not render a cut, clip or style that makes an animal look foolish. If the client wants something in the house that looks like a cockatoo in full rut they should a) buy a bird, b) buy a Barbie doll, c) buy a Carmen Miranda poster or, d) a, b, and c.
- Dirty Hairy will not shave down a shorthaired domestic cat with a healthy coat.
- Dirty Hairy expects all animals scheduled for a grooming to be current on vaccinations, in particular, and obviously, the rabies shot. Owners may be asked to provide paperwork to that effect.
- Dirty Hairy reserves the right to refuse or stop a grooming session in the event a pet exhibits serious aggression or viciousness. A $10 cash compensation would be appreciated, to reimburse groomer for time
and gas.
Safety:
Safety comes first during the grooming process, for people as well as pets. You must inform the groomer prior to grooming if your pet has bitten someone or has aggressive tendencies. Owners will be held liable for any bites or any property damage caused by their pets. A high-risk grooming session which has been successfully completed will incur an additional $15 fee on top of quoted price. Owner will be notified prior to groomer's proceeding with work.
Occasionally, Dirty Hairy may require the pet owner's assistance during a groom.This would apply to animals who exhibit extreme separation anxiety, animals who require muzzling, and large or overweight dogs in excess of 75 pounds who need to be lifted in and out of the tub. (Dogs hate the table-to-tub ramp and will usually refuse to "walk the plank".)
Dematting:
Removing a heavily matted coat includes risks of nicks, cuts or abrasions due to warts, moles or skin folds trapped in the mats. Heavy matting can also trap moisture near the pet's skin allowing mold, fungus or bacteria to grow, causing skin irritations that exist prior to the grooming process. After-effects of mat removal procedures can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritations or abrasions and failure of the hair to regrow. Shaved pets are also prone to sunburn and should either have sun screen applied daily or should be kept out of the sun until the hair grows sufficiently to protect the skin. In some cases pets may also exhibit brief behavioral changes. The pet's owner is responsible for the condition of their pet's coat and may not hold Dirty Hairy Mobile Pet Grooming, LLC responsible in the event of adverse effects of mat removal. Owners will be asked to sign a stripping release allowing groomer to de-mat, and indemnifying groomer from any liabilities as described above. Please see 'Services & Pricing' and 'Grooming is Critical' for more on mat removal.
Summer Shavedowns:
While extremely popular with owners, shaving a heavily coated dog during the summer is NOT recommended. In both hot and cold weather, a dog's coat helps regulate body heat, provide insulation and protect from the sun. Coats that are shaved off, particularly on arctic breeds, may grow back patchy, uneven or not at all. As it is understood that a shaved down pet is often more comfortable and hygenic for the owner, Dirty Hairy will accomodate the owner's request, but would suggest a "puppy cut" as a more desirable alternative. The puppy cut will be explained to owner during first phone consultation.
Senior pets & pets with health issues:
Grooming procedures can sometimes be stressful, especially for a senior pet or a pet with health problems, and can expose hidden medical conditions or aggravate existing ones, during or after the grooming. Because these pets have a greater chance of injury, they will be groomed for cleanliness and comfort, in styles that will not add to their stress. Dirty Hairy Mobile Pet Grooming, LLC will not be responsible for illness in an elderly or health-compromised pet during their grooming. Owners must alert groomer to presence of disease, arthritis, epileptic episodes, nervous disorders, phobias, hotspots, tumors,etc. prior to start of grooming session. In turn, groomer will notify owner of any conditions or manifestations found on pet during grooming, if unknown to the owner.
Fleas, parasites, skin conditions:
In the event groomer finds presence of fleas, a $15 de-flea charge will be attached to quote, after notifying owner. Ticks will always be removed at no extra charge, barring a serious infestation. Dirty Hairy will not groom animals with ringworm or mange, as these conditions are highly contagious and will contaminate the van. Immediate vet attention is required.
Medical emergencies:
Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. Dirty Hairy (not one injury so far!), while trained in animal CPR & first aid, is not a veterinarian. In the event of a medical emergency Dirty Hairy will make every effort to revive an unconscious or prone animal and apply any and all first aid measures to keep the animal stabilized until it can be delivered into your (or the nearest) vet's hands. It should be noted, however, that many vets these days are reluctant to take in animals delivered by anyone other than the animal's owner. This is due to liability issues where owners refuse to pay the bill saying they never authorized treatments rendered at the hospital. On the first visit Dirty Hairy will ask clients to sign off on an emergency care release authorizing the groomer, in the event of an accident, illness, or injury, to take the animal to the vet immediately and allowing the vet to render treatment as necessary to save the animal's life. It should be noted that in some cases where time is of the essence, it is not possible for the groomer to call the owner before driving the pet to the hospital, even if the owner is just a stone's throw from the van. The groomer will, however, make every effort to call the owner from the van en route. The owner will be responsible for all vet payments when the incident is not the result of the groomer's actions. Hairy's groomer is committed to absolute honesty where responsibility for a pet's injury is concerned and will never attempt to pass the buck. The groomer will also notify owner of any minor injuries incurred during grooming (which is rare, except during de-matting).
Cancellations:
Please try to phone in or e-mail cancellations outside of 24 hours prior to appointment, preferably more. Many repeat clients who can not be home at the time of the appointment will leave the door unlocked, or hide a key so Hairy can go in and collect the pet from the house. A payment check for services is left inside near the access door. When considering this option please keep in mind that it would be REALLY bad for business if Dirty Hairy went up to your bedroom and stole all your jewelry. It's also very difficult to move stolen artwork on the black market. It's just not going to happen.
Dirty Hairy will make a reminder call to the client a day or two ahead of the scheduled appointment date. Please note that this call is not made to provide you with an opportunity to cancel the appointment. It is, as stated, a reminder call. Repeat "no cancellation notices" and/or "not-homes" will be removed from Hairy's client roster. Repeat means twice in a row.
Winter:
Unlike the US Mail, Dirty Hairy will not work in snow. Everything else, but not snow. Mobile grooming vans are not built for severe wintery conditions. Groomer will call all scheduled clients to re-schedule in the event of a snowstorm or coming snowstorm (if Jeff Fox and Dr. Mel are ever to be taken seriously.) After a heavy snow, clients are asked to please be sure their driveways are cleared for the van, or that the streetfront is navigable for parking.
Adherence to the above policies is just common courtesy. Please be considerate.
Thank you in advance for your compliance and respect! I will return the same to you, in kind.
Copyright 2010 Dirty Hairy Mobile Pet Grooming: Cat Grooming. All Rights Reserved.
