Why Aren't Pet Groomers Licensed?

[sofiesmom]

I've never heard anyone in any licensed field say that licensing would prevent accidents or ensure a great style? No one ever made that claim, so why is it used to not favor licensing.

Now red tape is a valid groan.

It is the duty of government, or the body of professionals working with the government, to set minimum standards of education for a profession if it can HELP protect consumers 10%, 20% as little as that.

Now I am one for our doing our own system, and regardless of which way, I could turn it easily into justifying better fees, lower prices for some goods we need to use to some degree, and super polishing the image of what would be my business. That's how my family did it, they wrote legislation that didn't pass, but they and others we knew followed the legislation as if not passed, and look what happened. Terrific businesses lasting 40 nearly 50 years, incomparable businesses, and some that held records for selling prices that put groomers into comfortable retirements.

What I could do with that level of recognition today.

Arguing over claims not made hides the benefits, but yes, we should organize and run it ourselves. In the next 5 years a few thousand no education at all businesses are going to open up and that simply isn't fair to pet owners as a body. For many it may be there first pets and they will have to learn the hard way. I am not going to play the judge of people, so many do that today, everybody judging everybody by so many useless measures, so we can throw it off, too bad pet owner, you should have done your research.

That is certainly a sign of someone perhaps very skilled, but who hasn't grown into what professional recognition means, and caring for the community they serve. No wonder we never advertised except the yellow pages and people were lined up every morning truly at 6am 7 days a week. We never planned to have a large business, I clearly remember that, but they came in droves by our reputation for service done by true pros for people and pets. What you give out comes back.

I liked what you said here. I agree 100%

[violet2]

When is the last time a hairstylist killed a human by doing their hair?

When is the last time a pet groomer killed a dog or cat?

TWICE A WEEK on average.

Licensing isn't perfect but you could be better assured of safety, better not perfect and as has been said here before you can revoke a hairystylist license and keep them out of business or they go to jail.

Groomers have not license and kill pets and go working and working and working by moving out of state.

It's OK not to be for licensing but this industry OWES pet owners something, at least something, to say WE DO CARE AS AN INDUSTRY, and we require at least some specified training, testing on safety of products and equipment. It's pretty shameful at an industry level we cannot do something instead of blowing it off and saying, well, pet owners just have to accept over 100 deaths a year at groomers.

[keyray]

Cosmetologists are licensed & I still get a bad haircuts & die jobs,
Do you really want to pay more taxes,

But at least you can go to ANY licensed cosmetologist (oxymoron, since they are all licensed) and know that however young the girl is she has at least had basic education in hair AND has had to pass standardized tests. They can still give you a bad haircut, but I don't have to worry that just yesterday she decided to call herself a hairstylist.

I'm not against paying more taxes, so long as my taxes go to the right things. Taxes are the trade-off for living in an organized society. If you don't want taxes feel free to move to the middle off nowhere, without roads, education, or any type of services.

When licensing does come (and it will) I will be the first in line to have it done. If you can't pass a basic test of hair and pet care you have no right being a groomer.

Stephen: Why does licensing mean you pay more taxes? There might be dues/fees, but taxes?

[Doggystyles]

The groomer who cut the cat could be the best groomer in the world and either had an off-day, or maybe the cat zigged when the groomer zagged. It appears that his/her real mistake was not being up front with the owner about the injuries and then not paying for vet treatment. It's also possible that the "gash" on the back was caused by the owner trying to demat the cat and she didn't even know she did so until the groomer shaved the cat, exposing the cut. And accidental nipplectomies (Kitty mastectomies) happen to the best of us.

Licensing will NOT stop all accidents/injuries from occuring. Even if the licensing examination required a big safety aspect, knowledge does NOT mean that every protocol will be followed every single minute of every single day. We're human beings (imperfect) working on other imperfect living beings. Accidents and injuries (and even fatalities) can happen to ANY one of us despite being highly skilled, loving animals, and taking every possible precaution. Every time I hear one of these over-hyped anti-groomer "News" stories, I think "For the Grace of God, that could just as easily be me." I refuse to jump on the bandwagon attacking any of my cohorts until I know all the facts. And I know the media is about as biased as can be!

I completely agree. But I do welcome licensing, if done correctly. However; If we are going to be licensed then vets need to be retrained as to what exactly is the difference between a dog that is truly burned by hot clippers and a dog that is just sensitive to certain blades are. There is no way we have the foresight to tell if a dog will be allergic to a certain shampoo. There is now way we have the foresight to tell if a dog will rub it's face or bum or belly if it is shaved with a #10 blade. If we are going to be licensed than they also need to make matting illegal and make every pet behave like a human. They need to realize the differences between human hair stylists and pet groomers. People need to realize that pets don't behave perfectly, and we can not be held responsible for everything that goes wrong. Granted, we have the responsibility to stop what mistakes we can. But I believe there is a HUGE difference between mistakes and accidents, and I wish that people would stop confusing the two.

For instance, my hubby ran over a cinder block in the middle of the road. He said "it was an accident. I told him it wasn't an accident, it was a mistake. He used improper judgement. There needs to be a clear definition of what is truly a grooming accident, and a grooming mistake.

I've got a friend who refuses to groom difficult dogs anymore because a difficult dog bit her scissors and poked the roof of it's mouth and the owner sued her and won. Never mind that the dog was going for her hand. Owners think it's acceptable for their dogs to bite us, it's just part of the job. What would happen to the world if we all stopped grooming matted dogs, or anything that didn't stand like a statue? What would happen if we reported EVERY bite to a central database? What would happen if we fought back?

Yikes, sorry for the rant.

[Randy LaFoy]

While you can say both sides are right. The need to be licensed does not mean better or worse it means "MORE CONRTOL BY THE BOOGIE MAN (aka gov't)". The only good thing about being licensed would be continuing ed, that to me is the real advantage. If we are required to be licensed what are you going to do with the one that won't get licensed? Do we reqire this on a state to state need or should it be a national requirment? How much money do you require for fees.

I feel that the industry should police its self and the bad ones will fall by the way side, in 1 of the areas in my state no one can get in touch with any mobile groomer.

Just remeber the more big brother gets involved the more problems come up. If you think I'm joking just look @ what going on with the national scene now.

[peeps]

"Some California lawmakers tried to get pet groomers regulated back in 2005, but the effort failed, with some citing that it would be too costly to regulate the thousands of pet groomers."


The above quote was part of the original post.

The Massage Therapy profession had a similar problem not too many years ago but they decided to go ahead with licensing anyhow (all states except for Alaska and Colorado I believe). Now, all Massage Therapists must be licensed. They grandfathered in the massage therapists that could prove they had been practicing for so many years and new massage therapists must take a national board exam and have graduated from an approved school in order to be licensed. All massage therapists must also show proof of having so many CEU's per year to maintain their license. Also, any kind of conviction of a criminal offense of a sexual nature is grounds for their license to be immediately revoked.

Sooo, if they can regulate and license the massage therapy industry I dont see why they cant do it for the pet grooming industry. Personally, I am all for licensing.

[Doggystyles]

Well, nothing will give you respect. I have two cousins who are chiropractors, some people love them, some people thing they are quacks, licensed or not. Some people don't consider them doctors. Some people have a really bad view of chiropractors so matter what they do. It seems they just can't win. I love them. They worked wonders for my shoulder and back. I guess it still comes down to us as individuals.

[redbird]

Hmmm
To say a groomer that (accidently) nicks a dog, or cuts one even, is a bad groomer, or needs more training is SOOOO condisending.
ANYONE can nick a dog. ANYONE
TO compare grooming a dog to cutting someones hair, is comparing apples to oranges.
Children are not left alone with us, put in drying cages, have their rears, nails, faces, etc, trimmed, and MOST but not all sit still and don't bite you. We are responsable for SO much more than the local beauty shop.
The only reason I would like some guidelines is to just help me cover my bases for safetys sake.
But the willingness to bite our fellow groomers in the back on this board is distressing to me.
I know there are dumps out there, but most of these posts are not even delving into
any true information reguarding any individual incident.
Just know, what goes around, comes around. It could happen to any of us.

[PlushPupsGirL337]

I didn't read through every post so I have no idea what everyone has been saying regarding this subject, I just want to throw in my two cents...

I personally, am not licensed, I've never went to a school to groom, nor am I certified, etc...

I trained for a year under a woman, who also is not licensed/certified etc...who has been in the business for 40+ years, she has had businesses all up and down the east coast, and even groomed the Kennedy's pets!

I now have my own business as part of the local Animal Hospital, here in ohio. I have thousands of clients, I have never injured a dog or cat to the point of serious injury or something requiring a vet visit (even though i'm surrounded by vets, lol) I'm only 21 and I am an example that you don't need certification and licensing to be a good groomer.

All it takes is love, respect, a kind heart and gentle hand to do what we do.

Hell i remember reading one case in New York City of a woman who took her cat to be groomed at a very high class grooming salon, the groomer literally handed the woman a bag with her dead cat inside, the woman sued and won. But apparently the "groomer" was licensed, certified, etc etc...yet she had a blatant disregard for that cat's life...

Getting your certification as a groomer does not require a psychological exam and a test of love and patience and respect towards an animal...just how well you can groom different breeds.

So why is it that these people are flipping out wanting groomers to be licensed and certified when the process doesn't prove anything to the heart of the groomer.

We all have accidents, a pet moves the wrong way at the wrong moment can cause nic's, cuts, slips etc...it happens, but when it does, you own up to your mistake, we can't blame it on the pets as they are doing what comes natural...I have cut pets before, every one of us has, it happens, all you have to do is admit your wrong doing, explain what happened, offer to pay for whatever needs to be done by the vet, and hope and pray that the owner still knows that you are a good groomer, and things happen.

It only takes one idiotic "groomer" to give all of us with licensing and certification a bad name.

[keyray]

I didn't read through every post so I have no idea what everyone has been saying regarding this subject, I just want to throw in my two cents...

So why is it that these people are flipping out wanting groomers to be licensed and certified

I know this is going to come off a snide. First you say you didn't read the all the posts and then you ask "why" those of us that are pro-licensing are "flipping out". I think if you went back and read the posts you skipped maybe it would answer your question.

But apparently the "groomer" was licensed, certified, etc etc...yet she had a blatant disregard for that cat's life...

The groomer could NOT have been licensed, as there is no required licensing in the USA (hence, this discussion). Nor does the fact that a pet died under her care prove she had a "blatant disregard for that cat's life". There are groomers on this board that have had pets die during grooming. If groomers were licensed there is the potential of a licensing board that would investigate claims of wrong doing.

YOU are not a good example of why we don't need licensing or CERTIFICATION. You are ONLY 21 you have a long career ahead of you, but you have already limited yourself by thinking that licensing and certification are the same thing and that you don't need the education that comes with certification.

[tmenne]

I think the real problem is not the government but the lack of educational opportunities for groomers. You want to learn grooming what are really your choices. A. You try to figure it out all on your own. B. you get some dvds and a home study program. C. Apprenticeship or D. Try to find a school that will teach you. When I wanted to learn how to groom there was no one willing to teach me so I drove 2 hours twice a week for three months for 3000.00 to learn grooming. You want people to be licensed but how. You think everyone is going to travel away from home just to go to school. You want people to get continue education but where? I would love to go to shows but there is nothing in my area. I know that it’s the same thing all around the country. It cost big bucks to go to these shows. Not only to travel there but to pay the fees to get into the shows. Its not realistic in my opinion. Not unless they are going to go back to offering grooming at the vocational schools. Then at least there would be school loans available. I think if there were more schools and programs available for groomers they would attend. Lets not fault those of us that cannot afford and expensive education

[TheyCallMeMom]

I have only glazed over the posts.. but I have several comments to make

I am not big on nanny state to begin with but consider this..

the government regulates banking.... look where that got us
the government regulates real estate... look where that got us
the government regulates the auto industry.. look whats going on with that
the government regulates alot of business'... I dont see us being any better off for them doing so.. In fact, all they care about it the revenue.. not protecting the consumer.

I do not see how regulating grooming will help any of the situations mentioned.. consumer education would, personal responsibility would, groomer accountability would.

[winterroo]

Oooh ooh, can I play?! Drivers licenses are a prime example of how well licensing works...Do you know any BAD drivers that have licenses? I would venture to guess you do.

Stephen: Don't take this a big vote in favor of licensing, but the purpose of licensing is to protect consumers, or patients, etc as best possible. Nothing is ever 100%.

Driver licenses can be taken away, and if they drive without a license, they go to jail. Licensing groomers advantages? Not many, but you could revoke licenses from those harming pets with intent, and that happens several times a year, and they go to jail if they continue to work without a license, and it could give us a database to check backgrounds for valid licenses. There are thousands of groomers that have bought tools and a book, and that's it for training...that really isn't right when they are handling a living creature, but that doesn't make vocational licensing the answer either. Licensing always come around when the public has had enough. That could be awhile.

[itsgot2bme]

I for have read all the posts so far, and my simple 2 cents is this:

Regardless of whether we are officially licensed by the State or not, I believe the main thing is groomers SELF regulating. We need to be our own watch dogs for our industry and the standards of professionalism we believe in. To the person arguing that government regulation failures in other industries are a justification to not license, the medical industry is also technically regulated by our government but they have their own ethical codes, and over-site. I truly believe if we take a page from their play book we could truly raise the bar for our industry, whether the government is involved or not.

As for the injury and abuse issue, this is completely an ethics issue, though I do believe by requiring a minimum education level for all groomers would aid in this some.

Either way, these are my opinions and I am open to calm logical discussion. I respect you all and am proud to count myself among you.

[keyray]

I believe the main thing is groomers SELF regulating. We need to be our own watch dogs for our industry and the standards of professionalism we believe in.

I completely agree. I did some minor research for another thread on this same subject. The way the human hair industry does it seems like it's the best model for groomers. They have a bunch of groomers serving on the board and then there are two non-groomers.

I'm not sure but there might be a huge difference between licensing and legislation. I think that Utah has some of the stupidest politicians and legislation around. What worries me the most is that some politician sitting in some leather chair deciding what is right and what is wrong for our industry.

Done PROPERLY I think that licensing can help and protect the grooming industry and our clients. But that won't happen if people from outside our industry make up the rules.