While it is terrible what goes on in the "bad" shops, and what we never hear about, I am confident that for every bad groomer there is a great one. It may take you more then one try to find the groomer you feel comfortable with, and it might be a little more money then usual, but if it's for the comfort and safety of our fur pups I think it's for the best. I would rather pay more for a safe, reliable groomer then a horrible, uncaring one that charges much less. The lady we first went to with Sas was pretty rude, and after hearing the incident in which a maltese was killed we stopped going there. This is a true story, and I know that for sure, it was in the newspaper the day after it happened. I believe the owner contacted the newspaper in order to advertise how bad that groomer was and I am sure she lost business for it. After that we found a place a little bit out of the way that doubled as a dog kennel, and they were more expensive yes, but they were the most caring, dog-loving people I've ever met. There were many times when you would see a bunch of rescue dogs in the kennels that they could have used up with clients. Sassy went there for the rest of her life, she went there for 8 years and the people loved her. One of the girls who groomed her cried whenever Sassy squeaked in the slightest, if she hurt her by accident or scared her. When we told them she died, the entire office was in tears because Sassy was such a character with them. She didn't love many people but she did love the kennel workers, especially the owner.


My point is, just with everything else, there are terrible groomers and there are caring ones who are not in it for the money aspect. While it may take you awhile to find that one groomer, it will happen eventually. If you have to go a bit farther and pay a little more, well it just might be worth it. You won't have the fear in the back of your mind that something has happened to your pet, you won't worry as much. We never worried about Sassy while she was at the kennel getting groomed or if we went on vacation. It takes a little effort but it's worth it in the end. Not all groomer's are uncaring and in it for the money, is my main point.