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 Humane
Pet Care Menu
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You
Might Have to Refuse Services
When it is warranted and a pet
owner won't
agree to coat removal for their severely matted pet, are you going
to go beyond your de-matting time limit? If so, what is your
reasoning for forcing the pet to endure the discomfort of
de-matting? Are you not risking your well-being too. Badly matted
pets usually have less than healthy skin. Their skin has been
denied adequate air circulation for some time, and the tangled matts may been "pinching" their skin for some time.
Their skin will likely be very sensitive to the extended
de-matting procedures, and you are at risk of aggravating their
poor skin condition. Regardless of whether the pet owner has
signed a release form, is your care "humane" when you
extend the de-matting process beyond a reasonable time limit. It's
far better to protect you, and the pet, by refusing services when
a pet owner requests grooming services not aligned with their
pet's condition.
Remember to consider the
pet's conditions other than a badly matted coat. Aged and disabled
pets require even more concern. Pets with heart conditions and
other veterinarian diagnosed conditions must be considered in
alignment with every pet grooming service order. Again, it is far
better to refuse services to the adamant pet owner who will not
allow you to properly and humanely provide for a pet within your
standards of pet care. If you "feel" that you are a
taking risk, listen to your feelings. When you have to refuse
services, do so clearly and without emotion. Explain your
reasoning.
Madeline Bright Ogle
once related to me that when she had to require coat removal for a
very badly matted pet, and the pet owner didn't understand why,
she would ask the client if she could touch their arm. When they
said yes, Madeline would lightly pinch the skin of their arm. She
explained that their pet's skin has felt this pinching effect for
some time now because of the pulling effects of tangled hair and
undercoat. She would then ask the pet owner, "Wouldn't your
skin become aggravated and sensitive if it were
"pinched" for many weeks?" Of course, the pet owner
would say yes. Madeline then explained that even the most careful
de-matting would further aggravate the pet's skin condition, and
that healthy skin requires air circulation which is denied by
heavy matting. "Would you like to have someone tugging for an
extended time at your aggravated skin?" The pet owner would
almost always say no, and agree to coat removal. Madeline did not
judge or talk poorly of the pet owner that has not provided
adequate care for the pet, but instead created a more sensitive
and informed pet owner that is less likely to allow their pet get
into the same condition again. If it was money shortages that kept
the pet owner from frequent grooming, Maddie would recommend a
short lamb cut similar to kennel cut that would better extend the
time needed between groomings, and train the pet owner to brush
and comb the pet. With this attitude and level of client service,
you will have far fewer incidents of where you must refuse
services.
Be sure to post a sign
clearly visible from your client reception area stating that you
reserve the right to refuse services to anyone.
Assisting
Humane Organizations
In the
PetGroomer.com Buyer's Guide
(Associations Category) you will find a list of
humane organizations. Surely there are similar organizations in
your area too that could use financial and manpower help. If you
can afford to donate funds, do so. If you can, help your local
shelter to groom pets, or volunteer a few hours, do so. There are
wonderful new "zero kill" programs being attempted in
some humane organizations. Wouldn't that be a dream come true.
With your help you can make a difference. Sometimes rescues and
shelters need a groomer to groom a pet being considered for
adoption. Help out as you can. It's the humane thing to do.
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