FAQs
Do you need to come into my home to groom my pet?
No, our grooming van is a complete salon equipped with a tub, water tanks, water heater, dryers, grooming table, clippers, and everything else we need! All our work is done inside the van and the mess stays contained in there.
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Will you need to use my electrical or water hookups?
No, our grooming van is completely self-contained and fully operable without any outside hookups. We only require adequate parking, which is fairly level and free of any overhangs.
Do I have to be home for you to groom my pet?
For the first or second time, yes. After a routine has been established and both pet and groomer feel comfortable with each other, we can make arrangements for grooming to be done without your presence.
How do you know your exact arrival time?
Due to the nature of this mobile grooming business and the travel required, please allow some leeway time for the groomer to arrive at your location for your scheduled appointment. In the event that the prior appointment does run a bit longer than anticipated or unforeseen traffic is encountered, we will call to notify you of our new expected arrival time.
Can I stay with my pet while they are getting groomed?
No, owners are not allowed to stay with their pet during the grooming session as it is inadvisable for a number of reasons. Firstly, there is very limited space inside the grooming van and the groomer needs to be able to move about freely and work without obstructions. Secondly, the owner’s presence becomes a distraction as pets tend to be harder to handle while they become anxious and struggle to get away from the groomer to be closer to their owner. This would make the grooming process more difficult, take longer, and may pose a risk of injury to the pet or groomer as the pet becomes agitated.
How long will my pet’s appointment take?
Length of appointments vary depending on a number of factors, including breed, size, coat type and condition, type of service requested, temperament of the pet, etc. Typically you can expect an appointment to take anywhere from 1 to 2.5 hours. Please keep in mind that the first grooming may take longer as the groomer gets acquainted with your pet.
Does my pet need to be up to date on vaccinations?
Yes, we require all pets that enter our salon to be current on all core vaccines. For dogs, that includes rabies, distemper (CDV), parvovirus (CPV), and bordetella (highly recommended). For cats, that includes herpesvirus 1 (FHV1), calicivirus (FCV), panleukopenia virus (FPV), leukemia virus (FeLV - kittens) and rabies. Documentation will be required and kept on file with Coastal Zoom Groom.
I’ve been told, or I’m concerned, that my pet may be difficult to groom?
For both the pet and the groomer’s safety, we require owners to disclose any known aggressive behavior, past biting incidents, or any behavioral concerns that pertain to how the pet may act during the grooming process. Owners can list any concerns while filling out our New Client Form and can discuss with the groomer as well. Coastal Zoom Groom has the right to refuse service to any pet that is deemed too dangerous to handle. Please refer to the Policies page on our policy regarding Aggressive Animals & Refusal of Services.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Cash and check. A $30 service fee will be charged for returned checks.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
Last minute cancellations of appointments are costly to us, and the potential earnings lost cannot be recovered if we do not have enough advanced notice to book another client to fill the cancelled opening. Therefore, we require at least 48 hours’ notice. Failure to give adequate notice will result in a $25 charge.
What if I forget or don’t make it to my appointment on time?
If your pet is not available to groom at the specified appointment time, we will wait at your location for fifteen minutes to allow for the possibility that you are late and on your way home. Beyond that time will cause delays to those clients scheduled after you; we cannot wait at your location any longer and it will be considered a No Show. In such cases, a $50 charge will be incurred for failing to show up to your appointment and for the groomer’s travel time and expenses spent coming to your location and waiting.
It is not our wish to alienate our clients, but we must balance our desire to maintain good client relations with our need to meet expenses and make a profit. Exceptions may be made only if extenuating circumstances were experienced by client, and only at the discretion of Coastal Zoom Groom.
Do I need to have my cat in a carrier prior to appointment?
Yes, all cats will need to be in their carrier ready for transport out to the grooming van when I arrive. If you foresee possible problems retrieving your pet prior to their appointment, it is recommended to confine them in a room the night before to eliminate such complications.
How often should I get my pet groomed?
On average, dogs should be groomed every four to six weeks and cats every six to eight. Of course, this depends on a lot of factors: breed, length of coat, how often the pet is outside or getting wet, the individual needs of each pet or owner, and the amount of time and effort an owner puts into maintaining the coat on their own. Certain breeds and certain coat types/lengths will get matted more easily and will require much more frequent grooming—some as often as every
other week.
Does frequent bathing harm my pet’s coat?
We use only premium quality, top-of-the-line, professional brands of shampoos and conditioners that are free of harsh chemicals, non-toxic, biodegradable, paraben free, and always gentle and mild for sensitive skin. They are formulated to be safe and effective for use on a regular basis.
It is important to understand that when your pet is professionally groomed, they get brushed before—sometimes even during—and after the bath while drying to get rid of any tangled hair and mats. Most people are unaware that bathing matted hair will cause the mats to become tighter as the hair gets wet with water and shampoo; therefore, it is common for groomers to see pets who get bathed at home and then come in with severe matting because owners bathe without proper brushing and prep work. Frequent bathing by professional groomers when done with quality products and proper techniques will not cause any harm to your pet’s coat.
Mats – what are they and why do they matter?
Matting is a serious problem that can cause detrimental consequences to your pet’s well-being. Mats in a pet’s coat grow tight and can eventually cut off blood circulation and damage and tear the pet’s skin, leading to a variety of health issues: parasite infestations, infections, irritated/sensitive skin, scabs and sores, foxtails/burrs imbedded in the skin and ears, and many more issues. Heavy matting can also trap moisture near the pet’s skin, allowing mold, fungus, or bacteria to grow, producing skin irritations.
What causes matting?
Mats form due to the natural oils in an animal’s coat and hair gets tangled with shedding hairs, undercoat layers, dirt and debris, and from the friction of movement, causing hair to knot and tangle until they became solid masses of hair called mats. Lack of regular brushing and combing of the coat with proper tools and techniques leads to the buildup of mats. Besides infrequent grooming, there can be other factors contributing to matting. A dog’s coat is much more susceptible to matting when it is in the process of changing from a puppy to an adult coat. A wet coat that is allowed to air dry without brushing can also get matted as water causes the hair to stick together. Soft, silky, or double coats are higher maintenance and much more vulnerable to the problem. Also, inferior grooming tools or products can actually damage and weaken a dog’s coat, making it far easier for mats to develop.
My pet is really, really matted. What can you do for him/her?
We will not demat a pet that is severely matted, as there are many risks involved in removing a heavily matted coat. It would require tugging and pulling at the hair which causes nicks, cuts, and abrasions and would be a severely painful experience for the animal to endure. In cases of severe matting where an entire coat becomes pelted, the only humane method of removing the coat while causing the least discomfort to the animal is to shave it all the way down and then allowing a new coat to grow in while implementing a better grooming regime moving forward. We can try to preserve as much of the coat as possible by using the longest length blade that will be able to get underneath the matting. After shaving, a routine of regular brushing and combing should be implemented at home to keep pet mat free. Decreasing the time between appointments and bringing the coat down to a shorter, more manageable length and style is highly advised as well.