Barks and Baths Grooming Policies

Our policies are important to establish clear guidelines to ensure the safety, well-being, and health of animals during the grooming process. It protects both the pet and the staff by outlining procedures for handling different situations, managing risk potential and to maintain a consistent level of quality care across all grooming services. All clients must sign our policies in order to receive services with our establishment.

A) Health Status

Your pet’s medical history is very important to us. To ensure the safety and well-being of your pet, owners must inform us of any allergies, illnesses, physical conditions and/or physical limitations. Please note, if your pet is not feeling well (e.g. vomiting, diarrhea, etc.), has had recent surgery, has a communicable condition (e.g. kennel cough), or is in heat or pregnant, please do not bring them to our facility. Your pet must remain absent from Barks and Baths until they have recovered.

B) Medical Emergencies

Occasionally, grooming can expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current one. Should your pet require emergency medical treatment while in the care of Barks and Baths staff, we will immediately seek professional veterinary attention from Valley Vet Clinic. As the pet owner, you are responsible for all medical and veterinarian costs incurred for any health emergencies.

C) Rabies Vaccinations

It is the law in Ontario that cats and dogs must be vaccinated for rabies. We cannot accept animals for grooming without their current rabies vaccination. Exceptions are made for pets with allergies to the vaccine, or other medical reasons. You will be asked to provide a copy of your pet(s) rabies vaccination (or a letter stating your pet is vet exempt from the vaccination) so that it can be kept on file, and you will need to provide updated documentation once the vaccination has expired.

D) Expression of Anal Glands

If requesting to have your dog’s anal glands expressed, please note that routine gland expression should only be done at the recommendation of a veterinarian. Some conditions such as infected or impacted glands for example, may not empty fully from external expression. Barks and Baths staff will not be responsible for any consequences of external anal gland expression (or lack of expression) if the above-mentioned service is requested for your pet’s visit. Gland expression is a specialized service, therefor there is an additional cost to the owner when expression has been requested.

E) Aggressive Animal Behavior

Barks and Baths Grooming reserves the right to refuse grooming to any pet that displays aggressive behavior towards our staff. If persistent aggression is shown, we will attempt to finish grooming your pet by using a muzzle. If your pet continues to display aggressive behavior despite our best efforts, grooming will then terminate, and you will be charged a partial fee for time spent attempting to groom them. The safety of your pet, and our staff, is our priority.

F) Leash Policy

All pets must be on leash (or in a carrier) when entering our facility. This is for the safety of everyone inside our establishment and allows us to maintain “no physical contact” between our pet clients.

G) Considerations

To keep a sanitary work environment, we ask that you walk your dog at home to relieve themselves prior to their appointment. A clean-up fee may be applied if your pet has repetitive mess issues inside the shop.

A clean-up station, with poop bags, has been set up in the reception area should your pet have an accident inside or outside our facility. Please be considerate to our neighbours and pick up any messes left outside.

H) Drop off/ Pick up Times

1. Drop off

We have appointments spaced out to avoid multiple dog client interactions, and to be efficient as possible in our day. We ask that you do not enter the facility more than 5 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time, as we are not ready to receive your pet. If you require an earlier drop, please make arrangements with staff prior to the appointment and we will be happy to accommodate.

2. Pick up

When picking up your pet, we ask that you do not re-enter the facility until we have called to say your pet is ready. If your pet sees you before we have completed the groom, they may become so excited that we are unable to safely finish the groom and we may have to send your pet home as is.

After notification that your pet is ready, please pick up your pet in a timely manner. Prior arrangements must be made with staff if there will be a late pick-up time; failure to do so may result in an additional day care charge.

I) Coat Condition and Matting

The groomer will inspect your pet’s coat for matting prior to grooming. Matting can easily occur due to many reasons: fur type, friction from collars/coats/harnesses, fur that has become wet, or failure to brush between grooms are just some examples. We understand life happens but once a pet becomes matted, we are limited in how we can help. If your pet’s coat is matted, the groomer may have to trim the coat length shorter than initially discussed.

Circumstances of severe matting will require that the coat length be taken very short. Matted hair creates discomfort for your pet, keeps moisture against their skin and can promote bacterial growth. De-matting large areas of knotted fur causes pain to your pet, and therefor will not be offered as an option.

Despite caution and care taken by the groomer with removal of matts, there are increased risks for clipper burns or cuts to occur during the grooming process due to the breakdown of skin. The after-effects of matting removal on your pet may include redness, itchiness, self-inflicted irritation/abrasions from external rubbing and failure of hair to regrow. Barks and Baths staff will not be held liable for any injuries incurred to pets with matted coats or the after-grooming effects of matted coat removal.

Matted pets take extra time and care to groom, and there may be additional fees added to the regular grooming price if a pet’s coat is heavily matted. You can help your pet by brushing all areas of the body and maintaining the coat yourself between professional grooming appointments. We will be happy to go through a grooming regime suited to your individual pet if you prefer a longer coat length at the next grooming session.

J) No Shows/Cancellations/Late Arrival

1. Cancellations

Cancellation and rescheduling of an appointment, by the client, requires 24 hours notice to waive paying 50% of the appointment fee. In the event of inclement weather, a family emergency or any other uncontrollable circumstance, the groomer has the discretion to waive the fee within the 24-hour period.

Barks and Baths Grooming reserves the right to cancel or reschedule a groom if we feel the need to do so. Every effort will be made to reschedule at a time convenient for both the client and the groomer.

2. No-Shows

It is considered a "no-show" when the client is not available at the scheduled appointment time and does not contact the groomer to cancel or reschedule.

Multiple email reminders are sent to clients about upcoming appointments. The onus is on the client to be sure they show for their appointment on the right date and time. We reserve the right to charge the FULL grooming fee due to the loss of revenue caused by a "no-show". Please make every effort to call and cancel or reschedule when possible, to avoid such situations.

3. Late Arrivals

Due to commitments to our other clients, we are only able to perform grooming services for your pet in the time allotted to you. There is a grace period of 10 minutes; however, if you are late beyond the grace period, a late drop off fee may be added to your bill, services decreased, or your appointment may have to be rescheduled to another time.

K) Grooming Fixes

Should you find an issue with your pet’s haircut, or it is not to your liking, please call us within 24hr of the original appointment and we will make every effort to correct it.

L) Parking

There is no parking allowed in the employee lot at the back of the premises. We share a parking lot with the residents of 248 Bridge St, please do not take their spaces to park. You will be asked to move your vehicle before grooming services can be provided, should you take one of the residential parking spaces. Street parking is available nearby on Charlotte, High and William St.

Should you require assistance from your car due to mobility issues, please call the staff when you arrive, and we will happily come to your vehicle to assist with bringing in your pet.