I got a call from a former client

[mustluvdogs1]

About an hour ago i got a call from a client I have not heard from in more than a year. I eventually remembered her after she told me dogs' name and her last name. She got divorced and has been going to P----. She called me cuz dog is not up on rabies shot. She only had good lil Ruby done 2xs a year by me. Always Lhasa matted fur. Always had to shave. Always gave me extra. I quoted 5 more than she had ever paid me in the past. said P--- was only 20 less than my quote...you can figure it out.She claims only a few mats on ears. P----said see her in 3 mos! said did a good job.So I wiil groom Ruby @ my price knowing once she is wet-shaved it will be easy for next p---groomer in 3 mos! How can she save $ if she still has to see vet for shots? My price is a bargain compared to P---+vet and shots!It isn't always how good the job was but how little they have to pay, makes the best groom job.I am not saying they don't do a good job, just with shots required you don't really save $.Can't win sometimes.No matter how good and how much fur I can save, I know she will go back to them.She lives closer to me now...few miles less gas exp.Gas is going up, up, up again.

[astrordog]

Vaccinations are important and part of owning a pet. Is she trying to skirt this requirement by coming to you? If she is, shame, shame.

astrordog

[bullymom]

I think every groomer should require proof of rabies shot or titers. What happens if the dog bites you??

[kari]

Hi don't let it bother you.If you are not full yet with clients that are willing to pay for your services and you are a good groomer you soon will be.Let people take thier dogs where ever they want.It makes room for you to have nice loyal clients.

[diamienono]

You are doing a dog knowing that it is not up to date on shots?!!!!

[cassidy1]

Do Not Allow unvaccinated animals into your shop

First of all, as previously mentioned, what if you get bit? I had a cat bite that landed me in the hospital for IV antibiotics for 4 days, the only good news was that his shots were current. Had they not been, I would have had to get the rabies series. If your shop gets infected with Parvo or other sneaky things that live on surfaces, say bye bye to your business and reputation. Rabies, Distemper and kennel cough is what we require. Your customers will be impressed if your enforce these requirements.

[Helly]

Vaccinations are not a grooming issue, and the cost of grooming with or without them shouldn't be a consideration. They are a health issue, and part of the cost of owning a pet. An owner should not be trying to skirt the issue by seeking out a groomer who will accept an unvaccinated pet. A dog at least needs a current rabies vaccination because it's the law.

No groomer should be accepting a dog that does not have a current rabies vaccination, for their own safety and the safety of the pet.

[TinksDad]

Hit 'er with some bleach...

I am famous for cleaning everything with bleach which back in the day was the only thing that killed parvo. I do believe in vax but also believe that the vets have a bit of racket going in requiring that vax only be given by vets and the frequency of boosters. I know this is way off topic and may stir some stuff up but this is not my intention. I got nailed by a farm-samoyed (yeah, believe it or not...sucker had barbed wire in his coat to prove it!) and wound up going to the hospital with a fever through the roof and a systemic infection...they thought I had rabies also. (could have been the wild look in my eye and foaming at the mouth when they told me they wanted to keep me overnight and give me IV antibiotics...I hate hospitals and don't do needles) Cats are the worst as far as bites and I don't think I ever had one that didn't get infected....sewer-mouthed little balls of love, aren't they?!...and I love it when they bite you and just sink their teeth in and look at you with their eyes all dialated...ears pinned back and look at you like "so what you got now buddy? I'm feasting on your flesh!" Anyhow....I digress...but the way I used to run my shops was to ask for the name of the vet or look for the rabies tag on their collar. If things were ever in question or if I got bit and wanted to check the status of the rabies, which is the only vax required by law, I could call their doc. Most people are fanatical about yearly checkups and the ones that I was concerned about I used to point toward the rabies clinics that go on or the local shelter for info on low cost vax.

[ProPit]

So this brings up a good question....what if you have a dog that cannot be vaxed? Maybe the dog cannot tolerate the vax or gets allergic reaction? Do you groom? Interested to hear thoughts on this?

[lauren_201]

I wouldn't groom a dog without at least making sure the rabies was current. Your rabies isn't current there's the door, come back when it is.

[rapuzzled]

So this brings up a good question....what if you have a dog that cannot be vaxed? Maybe the dog cannot tolerate the vax or gets allergic reaction? Do you groom? Interested to hear thoughts on this?

We don't. Sure, I feel for them, but we still won't groom without vacs.

[HoundLover]

vaccinations

i for one do NOT vaccinate MY dog for anything EXCEPT rabies. i am on a raw feeding list that has a multitude of people who do NOT believe in vaccinations (except for rabies). personally i feel that these arent needed...that is ME personally. i would only require a current rabies vaccination(that is number one and the only one i would recommend). (if the owner does vaccinate yearly)OR a titer showing that the dog is up to vaccination levels. NOW if the dog comes in and is sick or coughing...bye bye doggy out the door you go. come back when the dog is better. another thing...if their animal gets sick with whatever...then they cannot sue ME because their dog isnt up to date on its shots. my personal dog is going to be getting his last 3 yrs rabies shot soon. he is 6 yrs old. i personally feel that he dosnt need any more rabies shots after that. he is already more than likely vaccinated for life against rabies. i wouldnt groom a dog that isnt current on its rabies vaccination...UNLESS the owner can show me a vet written letter stating why the dog dosnt have its rabies shot.
i feel that telling the owner because their dog isnt current on its distemper/bordetella whatever shot that they cannot get their dog groomed by me. Rabies is the ONLY shot required BY law. this should really be the only shot required elsewhere. that is just MY personal opionin on it.
if you wish to require extra vaccinations then thats up to you.
JMHO
Hound

[fuzzybutz]

Rabies A Must

I agree with Houndlover. I believe in a raw food diet and a more holistic approach to my pups but I keep current on Rabies.

I would never groom a dog or cat that is not vaccinated for Rabies. That's one of the first questions I ask new clients, plus, the answer is a good indication of what kind of person your dealing with.

[Meesh]

If a dog cannot get vaxed for health reasons, and they have a letter to that effect from the vet (which usually also includes assurance that the dog is never allowed out unattended or exposed to rabies) I'll accept them. The state accepts that and allows licensing with that documentation. Mobile is perfect for dogs with health issues such as that. You need to make your decision on a case-by-case basis. But if someone is just trying to snakeout of getting their dogs proper vaccinations, you should definitely NOT be grooming the dog.

And make sure you see paperwork with the dogs name on it. I got bit by a dog that had a rabies tag and then the owner told me the tag belonged to her other dog, she didn't want to cancel the groom the did not have the paperwork. Luckily a quick call to her vet and I got assurances that everything was up-date. Still ended up in the hospital for 48 hours of IV antibiotics!

Meesh

[rapuzzled]

And make sure you see paperwork with the dogs name on it. I got bit by a dog that had a rabies tag and then the owner told me the tag belonged to her other dog, she didn't want to cancel the groom the did not have the paperwork. Luckily a quick call to her vet and I got assurances that everything was up-date. Still ended up in the hospital for 48 hours of IV antibiotics!

Meesh

I absolutely agree with you Meesh. We have had people bring in their papers or tags and it's their other dogs, or their neighbors dog, etc. Even people that have absolutely insisted that their dog is current for me to call the vet and it isn't.