30/11/2023
DOG OWNERS PLEASE HELP
Who doesn’t want what is best for their pets? We are a nation of animal lovers and most of us want to do what is right for our four-legged friends. We know that we have to feed them to keep them nourished; we know that we have to take them to a vet if we think they feel unwell or start to display unusual behaviour. We know to walk them to keep their minds active and to give them exercise. These things are all regularly highlighted in the media and, let’s be honest, we instinctively know it. What is mostly ignored, though, is the care of the skin and coat.
The skin is the largest organ of the body and within the skin, we have hair follicles. Common sense should, therefore, point us, as pet owners, in the direction of someone who can look after this for us. A skin and coat specialist that can ensure health and wellbeing on the outside. Also known as a groomer.
For many years, pet grooming has been seen as a hobbyist profession. As an industry, we tend to advertise ourselves with big cartoon bubbles and bright primary colours with pictures showing dogs having a great time in the bathtub. This absolutely has a place because it attracts clients and shows them that we are a friendly bunch who want what is best for you and your dog. Unfortunately, on the flip side, it doesn’t show us as skilled professionals that can alert you to health dangers for your dog, professionals that can help you avoid costly vet bills and teach you best practices so that your pets can have a happy and healthy life.
Pet grooming is an incredibly skilled profession. It carries many dangers not only for the groomer but also for the dog. Razor-sharp scissors and a wriggly puppy are not a marriage made in heaven. A skilled and experienced hand is essential to anyone paying for this service. Over the years I have lost count of the number of times people have commented on the cost of their dog’s haircut – “My hair doesn’t cost that much,” and the like.
Well, there are many reasons why your dog’s haircut is more expensive than yours. You don’t try to bite your hairdresser, you don’t poo on the barber chair, or p*e against the wall once your hair cut is finished. You keep your head still when asked. Your hairdresser doesn’t clip your private parts or shave your legs (at least not the ones I know). I could go on!
So, clearly it is an industry that requires great skill, therefore you may assume it is properly regulated, right? Wrong!
Pet grooming is completely unregulated, meaning that anyone can pick up a pair of razor-sharp scissors and open up a salon in your neighbourhood. In fact, it’s happening more and more every day. Pets are big business. Over the course of a dog’s life, it is recommended that he/she sees a groomer every six to 12 weeks. This money obviously adds up. Unfortunately, the fact that it is unregulated leaves it open to people looking to make a fast buck out of it.
In a very difficult world where our high street is becoming like a ghost town because of internet shopping, and redundancies are inevitable. People are turning to pet grooming as an alternative occupation. These people own a dog and perhaps have some success in grooming their own. The only thing that is missing is any form of training and the skill of the groomer. The leaves the dogs in danger of at the very least a bad haircut – and at the very worst serious injury or even death.
Written by Stuart Simons The Groomers Spotlight
Please sign/share this petition to give Wales just like Scotland the opportunity to raise standards by regulation. A Welsh Government consultation would give every dog owner in Wales and their dogs the protection they need at last.
https://petitions.senedd.wales/petitions/245491
MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN
