Pet groomers and owners relieved that the service is again deemed essential

Written By PAULA BROWN

LOCAL JOURNALISM INITIATIVE REPORTER

The Ontario government has moved pet groomers to the list of essential businesses, allowing them to reopen during the province wide lockdown – a move that one local groomer described as an overwhelming sense of relief. 

“It was like a sigh of relief,” said Lindsay Wegener, owner of Spaw-Fect Grooming in Shelburne, about the announced regulation change.

The government announced changes to the regulations for animal care last Thursday (Feb. 4). Provincial officials said groomers could reopen to provide services necessary to prevent “foreseeable and reasonable imminent veterinary care” or if an animal owner has been required to under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act. 

The grooming services must be by appointment only, through curbside pickup and drop-off with only one appointment for one animal at a time.  

Pet grooming businesses were forced to close back in December due to the province wide lockdown. A petition calling for Ontario to add to the essential businesses list received over 18,000 signatures. 

The closure, Wegener said, was shocking. 

“I spoke with other groomers and we were shocked because we didn't think we'd be shut down a second time, we thought Premier Ford sort of understood on the last lockdown how essential groomers can actually be,” said Wegener. 

Since the rule change last Thursday Wegener said she immediately started contacting clients to set up appointments for the animals she knows needed it the most. 

“Anyone who missed their appointment in December is already now almost two months behind so at that point, that's essential because I know for sure that their nails are going to be uncomfortable and grown quite longer than what they needed to be,” said Wegener. “Their coats are going to be starting to matte and not be effective at keeping them warm, when you start to get a matted coat, you dog can't regulate their body temperature like they're supposed to.” 

It's the health care aspect for the animals that Wegener said makes pet grooming businesses essential. 

“We see most people's pets every six to 10 weeks and a veterinarian sometimes only see them once maybe twice a year,” said Wegener. “We tend to be your first line of defense when finding fleas, lumps, lacerations, and ticks.” 

While the Ontario government has allowed pet grooming businesses to reopen, the wording of the new regulations has become a concern for groomers, who say the wording is unclear. 

“They haven't really provided a clear directive as to what the emergency-based groom would consist of, it's very vague and left open for interpretation, and open for the discretion of the groomer,” said Wegener. 

“It's hard because you have loyal clients that you want to get their pet in because you know their pet is at least experiencing some discomfort but then you're stuck on the flip side with making sure that you're following the rules as best that you can interpret so that you're not shut down.” 

Wegener concluded that for right now she is happy to be open again providing care for her clients.