Sweet Whiskers

08/25/2024

Hachibon came in for his groom.... I was able to snap a quick pic of his adorable little teefers while Justin combed out his chin. I think he's the cutest little vampire kitty ever!

08/24/2024

Yesterday I had not 1, not 2, but 3 Persians in a row! This was the first one of the day. Miss Coco Chanel. It happened to be the absolute best groom I've ever had with her TO DATE!! 😍

I've groomed her for a while now, going back to our old facility. And she's always been a little firecracker for grooming, but not yesterday! She seriously was so chill to the process and responded so favorably. There just wasn't that stress I normally see. It honest melted my heart. 🥰

Many of you know I like the feisty ones just as much as the cuddle bugs... but what really makes me smile is seeing the cats figure out that I'm not there to hurt them and I'm on their team. That right there, is the reason I do this business. I do it for the little coco's out there who need to know I've got their backs and super fluffy coats. 😆

08/23/2024

Finn is such a little petite cutie! He's full grown but so small and adorable! What a cutie!

08/21/2024

Way to go Sylvester and Jz, way to represent cooperative care in the grooming salon!

😻 😻 😻

08/18/2024

DEMO TIME!!!

Working on the new shop and Justin's absolutely killing it!

08/18/2024

𝘿𝙤𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝘿𝙚𝙎𝙝𝙚𝙙!

Tiger and Charlie are brothers that come in for a good deshed, look at all that hair that's not on mom's couches! 😆 These guys are on a regular schedule so we catch a majority of their fur in the salon instead of piling up at the house or in hairballs!

Cat grooming for the win!

08/16/2024

Seriously this is the way grooming should always be, and certainly what we strive for.

What an awesome kitty here for his 8 week snuggles. 😆 mom says the comb out is his favorite thing at home too! 😍

08/15/2024

If your looking to get a new cat into your household here's a great opportunity.

Our shelter is FULL of the sweetest cats and kittens. And right now, they’re only $25.00 to adopt!

To start your adoption journey, fill out an application on our website at www.AmesAnimalShelter.org. Once we complete the approval process, we’ll schedule an appointment to come meet all our furry feline friends who are looking for their forever home!

All cats are tested for Feline Leukemia and Feline Immunodeficiency Virus, and cats over 6 months of age are tested for heartworms. They are also tested for intestinal parasites and receive routine dewormings. All cats are vaccinated against distemper, and cats over 12 weeks are vaccinated against rabies. They also receive a flea preventative, are spayed/neutered before adoption, and have a microchip. Adoption fees include the initial automated registration of the microchip at the time of adoption.

08/11/2024

Tantan was such a sweetheart, he looked grumpy coming out of his carrier but for a first time cat client he did absolutely amazing.

08/09/2024

Squishy face love!!!!

08/07/2024

New facility..... Where are the lights?!?!

08/04/2024

Carrier photo shoot for the panther princess! Why? Why not!!!!

08/03/2024

Ok it's official!!!!!! And I can announce it!!!! Eeeeeeeeeeek!!!! We are so excited!

Lot's of work ahead of us and a lot of renovation work, but we are shooting for getting into the new place as quickly as possible, by October 1st or a smidge earlier if possible!

This is on the North side of Duff in a nice complex that's going to be great for business!

08/02/2024

Let's talk territorial expressions and litter boxes.

08/01/2024

We get how crazy the back to school season can be! Let us get kitties nails trimmed and ready for the new school year with a quick appointment! Schedule now!

07/31/2024

🍑 Peaches!!!!

This sweetheart is gorgeous! It was a super fast service for her today because she was in great coat condition. Greasy and ready for a bath, but minimal tangles and no matting!

07/30/2024

Today is international day of friendship.... and we are making friends with Mr. Theo while pet sitting!!!!

07/28/2024

Ugh, it's not my favorite to flop, we all have those days... but ultimately I know I put a lot of pressure on myself to get it right, when it's someone else's fur kid in my care. I understand his behavior isn't a reflection on my character as a human, but dang it's hard to separate those feelings at times!

Hopefully next time is a smoother session.

07/27/2024

I get asked so many times why bath and why blow dry cats.... today is a perfect example.

We find lumps, bumps, infections, sometimes pests, and all sorts of things under the coat. And this isn't because owners are just blind to it, it's just literally my job to be so in tuned with their bodies, skin condition and coat health that I can spot if something is amiss, and report back to pet parents. Cats don't always flop over and let you inspect their skin surface of their inner left thigh. 😆

So often I've heard cats hide things well, and yes they do. Fortunately with early on detection they can get healthcare quicker. I've said it before and I'll say it again.... "a well trained groomer is health care and a part of your cooperative care team with your veterinarian. When we work together, we find ourselves advancing the wellness of cats, which should be our primary goal from either career choice".

We groom because we care, they vet cats because they care. Both careers carry importance from a different angle. Groomers should not be diagnosing conditions however we absolutely should be keeping an eye on weight, coat and skin condition, as well as any bumps or lumps that present and be able to identify common pests and know when to refer to a vet.

07/26/2024

07/25/2024

Emi Coins is one of my favorite stories to share right now! She came in for her groom and literally purred through half of it and snuggled greatly at the end of it. That's not how it's always been with her... in fact her very first visit I had to bust out an aggression fee with how spicy she was. That day I gave mom feedback about really staying ahead of her grooming needs due to her temperament, and she really took it to heart.

Since then Emi has been coming into me every few months and it's like night and day difference in her. We have found a really good grooming schedule and the correct services that line up for her and she responds well to it because it's becoming routine and habit for her.

Consistently bringing a cat, even ones that don't like it initially and letting them learn the ropes and realize I'm not out to get them and they are actually safe.... it is a GAME CHANGER for the level of connection we get to have.

07/24/2024

Amelia (sometimes goes by Em) really enjoys cats, like really enjoys them! Her teachers often ask her to pick other subjects to write reports on, because well... she lives a life surrounded by them and adores them. Our Avery, not so much. Neither kids are forced to participate in our business and always paid for their work. That said.... I would not be surprised one day if Amelia takes over.... well, so long as the litter scooping isn't always on her!

07/23/2024

Whew, I've got to say, this little cute Siamese was tricky but oh so adorable! She tested my master feline skills for sure...hands down without the training I did through the National Cat Groomers Institute I don't think I could have done this cat at all.

I am truly so thankful this kitty went home injury free. As I got started and could see the level of wiggles she was throwing at me, I think I stopped breathing. I seriously sighed a breath of relief when I wrapped up! It's not the prettiest, there are still track lines and there are no crispy legs on this girl and at first I kind of beat myself up for that. But then I tried to reframe it...

1- she is safe and injury free
2- she is mat free and her skin can now breath and regrow a healthy coat
3- She is back home chilling with mom and her human kiddo once again happy as can be!!!

Perspective shifts are so necessary for when things don't go perfectly according to plan! The good news is mom now knows how she behaves (this was her first grooming ever) and we know due to her super wiggle skills she's always going to be a hard kitty to safely shave, so it'll be necessary to stay ahead of matting proactively, instead of reactively, for kitties safety. So now we have a plan moving forward!

😁

07/21/2024

𝑻𝒐𝒅𝒂𝒚 𝒊𝒔 𝒏𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍 𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒎 𝒅𝒂𝒚, 𝒎𝒚 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒗𝒐𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒆 𝒔𝒘𝒆𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒕.

That said, my second favorite sweet treat is finding that ''𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑡'' with a clients cat and their custom grooming needs. Historically Stinky has tried a few different schedules, varying styles of grooming packages and deshed options. But honestly, it's been a bit of a 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘭𝘦 to nail down what exactly is best for her.

It's slightly tricky because she's also got a temperament that doesn't love grooming, but she was in full coat and it was hard for us to stay ahead of her tangles and matting. With mom/dad's patience and perseverance and a little creative thinking on the groomers part.... we finally have it figured out!

😻 What we landed on 😻

𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐞: 6 week schedule (helps manage grease load and tangles with consistent baths).

𝐁𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐦: 1/2" comb cut all over (helps maintain length of fur so tangles are less prone and combing at home is easier on mom/dad).

𝐏𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐲 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐬: Wide sanitary (to keep those di**le berries away!).

𝐁𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐦𝐬: Skip the face trim on her (combing is sufficient and she's snappy for combs near her head so better safe to keep fingers away).

𝐎𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐫: She's particular on the order of things...so bath first for her! What a queen and she knows it!

07/20/2024

I never promised awesome photography.... but if pictures could be felt and smelled... you would know how awesome these images really are! !

07/19/2024

We have limited spots left for the later summer season and we are starting to book our holidays out currently! If you have travel plans let us help out with your feline friends!

07/18/2024

Hello!!!

07/18/2024

This right here is the result of compassionate, gentle, yet consistent grooming care. Do we do things she doesn't like, yes, but we do them gently because grooming is healthcare for kitties. She started out aggressive, so much so that I charged an aggression fee. Yet, I invited her back and we keep it consistent. Calm environment, calm handling techniques, and routine practice.

Now look at her! Here's video proof of Miss Emi's behavior!

07/17/2024

Check out this embedded nail on this senior cat, a quick fix but so critical!

07/16/2024

Yesterday was a blast learning and connecting with so many amazing cat groomers.

Today will be my cat grooming demo (trying not to be nervous!!!). I am surrounded by some pretty elite cat groomers that I definitely look up to. Fingers crossed I don't muddle my words when we are live!!! Wish me luck!!!!