PetGroomer.com Surveys

So how many are our numbers? Reliable market statistics for the grooming industry are rare. Pet grooming associations are the best candidates to conduct surveys, but they have only modest support from pet groomers. The retail and veterinary medical sectors of the pet industry boast large numbers of members in their respective associations. They conduct broad surveys and publish finely documented studies. At PetGroomer.com we are moving in that direction. For several years we have conducted the largest surveys of the grooming industry in its history.

Be sure to visit the extensive Take a Survey section of PetGroomer.com. While you are there please take our surveys specially designed for career seekers. There is a wealth of information in the Results section to orient you to employed groomers, self-employed groomers that mobile, salon or shop owners, self-service pet wash owners and more.
 

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We can provide you with these reliable estimates for 2008.

* Includes vets, kennels, day cares and other pet businesses with grooming departments

Perhaps the most important statistic for career seekers is the demand for pet groomer and bather employees. Every grooming employer knows there is shortage of skilled employees. In fact, the shortage is chronic and goes back at least 50 years. It is so characteristic of our industry it seems normal. We can offer some proof. Since 1997 over 300,000 help wanted ads have been published at PetGroomer.com.

The demand for pet grooming services is just as strong, as well as the potential for growth. However, formal statistics focused on grooming demand are exceedingly rare. There are no polls that accurately indicate the demographics for grooming demand. Here’s what we can tell you. Statistically there are between 3,000 to 4,000 dogs and cats for every grooming business in the U.S. Less than 1% of all grooming businesses have grown clienteles serving even 2,000 dogs and cats. Less than 50% of dog and cat owners are using the services of grooming businesses. The Gallup Poll of 1990 for pet owners indicated that 43% of pet owners had used the services of pet groomers. Let’s go back to the PetGroomer.com Help Wanted Ads too. Hundreds of thousands of ads wouldn’t have been published without a demand; it’s just too bad that better surveys aren’t done to establish better consumer profiles for grooming.

A career in pet grooming is a sound idea. You may not discover much reinforcement for that statement among friends and family. We’ve hosted many career seeker seminars. All too often a surprising number of participants reported looks of disbelief, even shock, on the faces of friends and family when they shared their pet grooming career goals. Of course, some were met with encouragement but what about the doubters? Is the stereotypical image of the pet grooming industry lackluster? Can you find your prosperity in this industry? Would your confidence be shaken if your contacts don’t share your goal to be a pet groomer? Be prepared just in case.

Our answer for most career seekers reading this report is positive, but with an added warning. You must be right for pet grooming, it has unique occupational demands. At this point we advise you to, “Come on in. The water feels great, but make sure you know how to swim.”

You’ve got a lot more to study here in order to make an informed decision for yourself. In the next section you will learn more about the people who are groomers.