The Little Paw Parlour Grooming Services Policies & Agreement Form
Updated Aug 2023
Vaccination Requirement
You understand that your pet must be current on their rabies vaccine, and that proof of vaccination must be submitted prior to scheduling a grooming appointment. If you are a recurring client and schedule an appointment that exceeds your pet’s vaccine due date, new documentation must be submitted before your scheduled appointment, or your appointment will be rescheduled/canceled. If a recent vaccine has been administered, we must wait at least 10 days before their next grooming appointment can be scheduled to abide by the safety requirements ordered by the American Kennel Club’s S.A.F.E regulations.
Behavior Issues Release
The Little Paw Parlour reserves the right to refuse service on some pets if I feel they will be best served in a veterinary or other grooming facility. If I accept to groom any animals with behavioral issues, charges will be set in accordance with their behavior. In the grooming process, every effort is made to make your pet as comfortable as possible. I do not muzzle or restrain your pet unless completely necessary for safety. If your pet is behaving badly, bites me, or is uncooperative, the groom will not continue and payment for the service must be rendered. I do not groom pets that bite whent he owner doesn't disclose that information. I do not force pets into grooming for both my safety and for the pet’s.
Health/Veterinary Care Release
You are solely responsible for your pet’s veterinary care. If your pet has any allergies to food, shampoos, or colognes, you must make us aware prior to the groom. You understand and agree that The Little Paw Parlour does not provide veterinary services. You understand that grooming can be stressful for your pet. You understand that The Little Paw Parlour is not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, or death of or to your pet from conditions not disclosed to me that could be exacerbated by any provided grooming services.
Minor Accidents Release
Working with animals is unpredictable, and if a situation should arise where your pet has a minor accident or injury you hereby authorize The Little Paw Parlour to provide basic first aid care to relieve the pain or stop any bleeding. I do everything possible to provide a safe grooming session for your pet, but accidents can occur. Minor accidents can occur during nail trimming, the use of shears/scissors, bathing, and shaving including shaving a severely matted coat. When animals wiggle, jerk, or thrash during these services, it may be difficult to safely maneuver equipment away from snipping your pet's coat, ears, face, or cut nail quicks. Please read the emergency medical treatment release below for more serious injuries or accidents that can occur during your pet’s grooming. You hereby release The Little Paw Parlour from any unrelated injuries that occur outside of your pet's service.
Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization Release
Working with animals is never predictable, and if a situation should arise where I feel veterinary attention outside of basic first aid is needed, you hereby authorize medical treatment for your pet to the nearest available veterinarian clinic.
Senior Pets (10 years +) Release
You understand that your pet is a senior. You are aware that grooming can cause stress that can exacerbate or expose new problems, or even lead to a serious medical event or death in senior pets. You release The Little Paw Parlour from liability should any problem/medical issue occur that is unrelated to minor accidents that may occur during your pet’s service.
Allergic Reactions to Grooming Products
You recognize that new grooming products will be used on your dog, to include but are not limited to, shampoos, conditioners, de-matting sprays, etc. If your dog has had any type of allergic reaction to products in the past, you have expressed these matters with me in the intake form or over text/email communication. If your dog does have sensitive skin or allergies, I will always advise to use a hypoallergenic shampoo. It is your responsibility to disclose previous or current skin allergies or irritations.
Pregnant or In-Heat Females
I do not groom pregnant or in-heat animals. Grooming a pregnant animal is not a standard practice and can cause stress that can exacerbate or expose new problems such as early labor, and miscarriage. It is recommended to wait at least 14 days after they have given birth to schedule a bath or grooming appointment to ensure there are no complications postpartum.
Live Fleas Policy
I do not groom pets with live fleas. Your pet must be seen by their veterinarian and given tick and flea-terminating medication 24-48 hours prior to their visit with me. Once medication is administered, an appointment may be rescheduled.
Release for Shaving Double-Coated/Short-Haired Breeds
It is my professional recommendation that double-coated or short-haired breeds are not shaved unless a note from your veterinarian can be provided. Double-coated breeds rely on their undercoats to provide them with insulation. Their coat keeps them cool during the Summer, and warm during the colder months. Shaving them can result in permanent hair loss, alopecia, permanent damage to the coat, sunburn, and leads to a higher risk for sunburn, skin cancer, a serious medical event, or even death. For the dog’s safety and protection from the sun and skin cancer, I reserve the right to refuse any unnecessary shave-down for double-coated or short-hair breeds unless required for medical reasons signed and approved by a licensed pet veterinarian.
Release for Severely Matted Pets
Every effort is made to protect your pet’s skin and coat while removing the hair that has become matted. The safety and comfort of your pet is my top priority. A pet’s coat that has not been attended to for a long period of time may become extremely sensitive and incur clipper marks,abrasions, rashes, nicks, itchiness, or redness. Shaving extremely matted ears might also encourage head shaking causing hematomas.
When shaving a matted dog, certain issues can be uncovered that you as the onwner may have been unaware about. Issues such as bruising, scabs, cuts, scrapes, open wounds, etc. can be present and are hidden under their coat. Shaving them can expose issues that you may not have known about. You as the owner, agree to in no way hold The Little Paw Parlour responsible for any problems resulting from the grooming of your matted pet. Additional charges on top of regular grooming fees will apply to pets that are severely matted.
COVID-19 Notice
If you have been recently exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19 or have the flu, please reschedule your appointment with me. I will do my best to reschedule your appointment ASAP once you have tested negative for COVID-19, but I cannot guarantee an immediate rebook.
Payments of Services Policy
Payment is due upon completion of the service performed. Deposits are required for repeat policy offenders for multiple canceled or rescheduled appointments. Acceptable payment types are cash, Square, or Apple Pay. I DO NOT accept checks, money orders, or I-O-Us.
No Shows/Late Cancellations
Individuals who no show or cancel less than 24 hours before their appointment will be required to pay half of their next service to book another appointment.
Complaint Procedures
All pets are groomed to American Kennel Club breed standards unless specifically requested otherwise. If you are not 100% completely satisfied with my grooming service, please contact me within 24 hours of the grooming, and I will do my best to resolve the issue.
Refund Policy
I do not provide refunds for completed grooming services.
Photo and Video Release
Before and after photos will be taken of your pet throughout their groom for documentation purposes. By using my service, you hereby release any photos and videos I may take of your pet for advertisement on my website, business cards, social media platforms, educational purposes, brochures, and for legal disputes.
Follow us on YouTube! Please let me know if you do not want your pet filmed before service begins.
Arbitration
You hereby expressly and irrevocably waive your right to a trial by jury in any legal actions arising from or relating in any way to the services, these terms, or the actions, inaction, errors, omissions, or negligence of any provider party. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in these terms, except for action by the provider against the client arising from or related to nonpayment of sums owed to the provider hereunder, neither party may commence litigation against the other party without providing written notice and demand to the other party setting forth the matters and amounts (if applicable) in dispute, and without first attempting in good faith to mediate the dispute before a certified mediator in the county wherein the provider’s principal place of business is located. I reserve the right to refuse service to any pet or client for any reason.
By signing this form and accepting service by The Little Paw Parlour, you understand and agree to all terms and conditions stated above.