Grooming Policies & Procedures

Quote Policy:

We are committed to providing fair and competitive pricing for our professional grooming services. For new clients, we offer an estimated price range based on prior services and our experience with similar breeds. However, the final price may vary depending on factors such as breed size, coat condition (e.g., matting), and your pet's cooperation.

To ensure pricing accuracy, our pet stylists must assess your furry friend both before and during the grooming session to provide a final cost. Additional fees may be applied at the end of your session. We may not be able to fully disclose these fees until after the appointment is completed, as we don’t always know in advance how the appointment will go. 

If your pet hasn't been brushed or bathed in months, it's important to set realistic expectations. To avoid extra fees associated with extensive grooming, we strongly recommend getting your pet on a regular grooming schedule. This proactive approach helps maintain their coat in good condition and ensures a more pleasant grooming experience.

Payment for Service Policy:

We kindly request that the balance due be paid at the time services are rendered unless other arrangements have been made in advance. We accept cash, check, Apple Pay, Cash App, Venmo, and Zelle. Our stylists take great pride in providing exceptional care and service to your pets. If you wish to show your appreciation, gratuity is greatly appreciated. All services are final, and no refunds will be issued.

Satisfaction Policy:

Our goal is to ensure that both you and your pup are happy with the grooming experience. If you have any issues or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out before or after the grooming session so we can make any necessary adjustments, if possible.

Appointment Times Policy:

We value your time and make every effort to be punctual for all appointments. However, please be aware that appointment times are estimated arrival times, as we work with live animals. Unforeseen circumstances such as traffic, inclement weather, or an anxious pet prior to your appointment may lead to delays in our schedule. Rest assured, we will keep you informed of any changes or delays as your appointment approaches. Your understanding is greatly appreciated.

Cancellations and No-Show Appointments Policy: 

As a small business, last-minute cancellations and no-call no-show appointments significantly impact our operations. To maintain the quality of service and ensure your pet receives the dedicated attention they deserve, we allocate a limited number of appointments each day. We kindly ask that you provide us with at least 24 hours' notice of any cancellations or changes to your appointment. Same day cancelations are subject to a $75 cancelation fee. For no-call, no-show appointments, the full price of the scheduled services will be due.

Holiday Bookings Policy:

We are closed for the six major holidays of the year. However, we strive to accommodate holiday bookings whenever possible, at the groomer’s discretion. Please note that an additional 100% fee applies to services booked on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Eve & Christmas Day.

Health and Safety Policies:

Vaccinations

All puppies must have completed all three rounds of vaccinations (at 8, 12, and 16 weeks). This includes the DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo) and Rabies vaccines, along with boosters. Adult dogs (1 year and older) must be up to date on their rabies boosters. Additionally, it is highly recommended that your pet be vaccinated for Bordetella.

Please wait at least 48 hours after any vaccinations before your pet's next appointment.

Aggressive Pet

We take the safety and comfort of all pets seriously. If your pet has a history of aggressive behavior or has bitten someone in the past, please inform us at the time of booking. If your pet displays any aggressive behavior during grooming, we reserve the right to refuse service or use a muzzle if necessary to ensure the safety of our groomers. If we are unable to proceed with grooming due to your pet's aggression, a $75 fee will be applied to cover the time and expenses of the groomer on call.

Overly Stressed Pet

The safety and well-being of your pet are our top priorities. If, during grooming, your pet appears to be overly stressed or agitated, we will take necessary measures to help calm them. However, if we determine that continuing the grooming process would be unsafe for your pet or our groomer, we will stop the grooming and return your pet to you. In such cases, we will provide a video explanation to illustrate the reason for discontinuing the service. Please understand that a $75 cancellation fee will be applied to your account to compensate for the time and expenses of the groomer. In rare situations, we may ask for your assistance to complete the groom safely. 

Senior Pet and/or Pet with Disabilities

We understand that senior pets and pets with disabilities require special care during grooming. Our priority is to ensure their comfort and safety, and we will groom for cleanliness and comfort, keeping in mind their health conditions. We may not be able to fulfill all styling requests if it is not in the best interest of the pet. As pets age, styling becomes less important and their comfort becomes our number one priority.

To minimize stress and ensure their well-being, we aim to see your pet the least amount of times possible. Grooming can be stressful for elderly or ill pets, putting them at greater risk of accidents or injury. In some cases, grooming may even expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current condition. We shall not be held liable for any such situations.

Our groomers are experienced in handling senior pets and pets with disabilities, and they will take extra care to ensure that your pet receives the appropriate level of care and attention during the grooming process.

The age at which dogs are considered seniors is as follows: Small Breed: 11 years old. Medium Breed: 10 years old. Large Breed: 8 years old. Giant Breed: 7 years old. Cats are considered seniors at the age of 11.

Sedated Pet

We may groom partially sedated pets at our discretion. If you choose to sedate your pet before their appointment, please inform us of the sedative used when making your booking request. It is crucial that the pet owner administers the sedative and ensures their pet's safety during grooming. We do not administer any medication, and we cannot be held liable for any medical issues arising from sedation grooming. Before sedating your pet, please consult with your veterinarian and provide us with relevant information about your pet's health and medication history. 

Pet with Pre-existing Health Condition(s)

For the safety and well-being of the pet, we may refuse grooming services for pets with certain pre-existing health conditions. These conditions include, but are not limited to: back or neck issues, collapsed tracheas, congestive heart failures greater than stage one, pregnancy or nursing within 8 weeks postpartum, pets in heat, pets over the age of 14, active ear infections, and any major medical issues that may pose a risk during grooming. We reserve the right to decline services for any medical condition or concern, and we shall not be held liable for any resulting issues. 

Matted Pet

Excessive matting can lead to discomfort and worsen skin conditions. Neglected coats may cause brush and clipper burns, and matted pets are at a higher risk of accidents during grooming. We may encounter u-shaped cuts or nicks from previous attempts to remove mats.

As a responsible pet owner, please be aware that you are responsible for your pet's coat condition. We cannot be held liable for any adverse effects resulting from mat removal.

If your pet becomes exhausted or uncooperative during grooming, we may need to pause the session and schedule another appointment to complete the groom. An additional charge may apply for this service.

In rare cases, hair may not re-grow in certain shaved areas. Shaved pets are more susceptible to sunburn, so please protect their skin with sunscreen or keep them out of direct sunlight until their hair grows sufficiently.

Shaving Double Coated Breed

We prioritize the well-being and coat health of double coated breeds, aiming to maintain their comfort and preserve the natural beauty of their coat. It's crucial to understand that shaving these breeds can harm their natural cooling system and overall coat quality. Unless there are severe matting issues or medical reasons, we strongly discourage shaving double coated breeds.

Shaving may lead to alopecia (hair loss) and increase the risk of heat stroke or sunburn. Our experienced groomers will assess your double coated breed carefully and work together with you to find the best grooming approach to keep their coat healthy and intact.

Grooming Van Sanitation and Parasites

The health and safety of your pets and the cleanliness of our mobile spa vans are of utmost importance to us. Before performing our bathing and grooming services on your pet, our pet stylist will check for the presence of fleas or ticks. If your pet has fleas or ticks, we will bathe them using flea and tick shampoo to ensure the well being of your pet and sanitation of our vans. A fee of $45 will be added to your service ticket for this service. Please note that this treatment is not a guarantee to completely eradicate fleas and ticks and may require additional treatments. In the case of ticks infestation, we will attempt to collect all ticks removed from your pet into a plastic bag and provide it to you for further testing for Lyme disease.

If a dog is found to be completely infested with fleas and ticks, we reserve the right to refuse service and recommend that they be treated by a veterinarian. In this case, a $75 cancellation fee will be applied to your account to compensate for the time and expenses of the groomer.

An additional service charge of $75 will be added to your final bill for van flea and tick infestation cleaning service.

Pet Injury Incidents

Pet safety is paramount and a top priority at Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming. Although incidents are infrequent, it is essential to recognize the inherent risks involved in pet grooming, as we work with sharp tools and equipment. 

Our groomers exercise the highest degree of care, but issues such as cuts, nicks, scratches, or quicking nails may occur, particularly with restless or anxious pets. In the rare event of an incident, we are committed to transparency and will promptly inform the pet owner. Factors such as matting, advanced age, aggressive behavior, or difficult temperament may contribute to incidents. Any resulting veterinary expenses will be the sole responsibility of the pet owner. 

Furthermore, any such incident does not exempt the pet owner from the charges due for the requested grooming service.

Inclement Weather Policy:

In the event of severe weather that poses a risk to the safety of our team and your pet, such as storms, hurricanes, heavy rain with flooding, or other extreme weather conditions, we may need to reschedule your appointment to a later date. There will be no penalty for rescheduling due to inclement weather. However, we will make every effort to complete your appointment as scheduled if it is safe to do so.

For light rain or other mild weather conditions, we will continue to provide our services as usual. We have umbrellas in our grooming van that we can use to keep your pet dry while walking to and from the van. We will also take any necessary precautions to ensure your pet's safety and well-being during the grooming process.

Photographs and Videos Policy:

We love sharing pictures and videos of our furry clients! We may take photos or videos of your pet before, during, and after the grooming process, which we may use for promotional, advertising, social media, or portfolio purposes. By using our services, you agree to allow us to use your pet's name and images for these purposes, and release Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming from any claims, demands or liabilities arising out of or in connection with the use of the photographs and videos, including but not limited to any claims for defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, or any other intellectual property rights. If you prefer that we not use your pet's images, please let us know and we'll gladly respect your wishes.

Communication Preferences and Opt-out Option Policy:

We reserve the right to contact our customers via email, text, or phone call to promote our products, services, or seasonal promotions. By engaging with our services, you consent to receive such communications from us. However, you can opt out of these promotional communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions provided in the messages.

Out-of-State Clients Dispute Resolution Policy:

In the event of any dispute or disagreement between Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming and an out-of-state client, both parties agree that any legal action or proceeding arising out of or relating to the provision of services by Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming shall be resolved in the state of Texas, United States.

By engaging our services as an out-of-state client, you expressly consent and submit to the jurisdiction of the courts located in the state of Texas for the resolution of any such disputes. Furthermore, you agree that any legal action or proceeding brought against Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming shall be governed by the laws of the state of Texas.

Liability Waiver and Release Policies:

Liability Waiver

I, [client name], the owner or authorized agent of [pet name], hereby acknowledge and agree that Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming shall not be held responsible or liable for any harm, injury, or damages that may be caused to my pet during the grooming process. I understand and accept that the grooming process may involve the use of sharp tools, hot water, and/or chemicals that may cause injury or allergic reactions to my pet.

I further acknowledge and agree that I am solely responsible for any and all damages or injuries caused by my pet to Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming or its employees, equipment, or property. I agree to indemnify and hold harmless Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from my pet's behavior, actions, or health condition.

I hereby release Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming, its employees, and representatives from any and all liability, claims, or causes of action that may arise as a result of the grooming services provided to my pet.

I certify that my pet is up-to-date on all necessary vaccinations and is in good health.

I have read and understand the terms and conditions of this liability waiver and voluntarily agree to its terms.

Matted Pet Release Form

Your Pet's Safety is Our Priority! We genuinely care about your pet's safety and well-being, and we are dedicated to providing a pleasant grooming experience for them.

Due to the severity of matting in your pet's coat, we want to inform you that there may be potential risks during grooming. While we take all precautions to ensure safety, issues such as nicks, cuts, clipper burns, and skin irritations can occasionally arise during or after grooming. Moreover, mental or physical stress is possible.

To prioritize your pet's welfare, we request your consent to seek immediate veterinary treatment if necessary during the grooming session.

I, [client name], the owner or authorized agent of [pet name], hereby grant Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming permission to obtain emergency veterinary treatment for my pet at my expense. 

Additionally, I acknowledge that matted pets have a higher chance of injury during grooming, and I have read and understood Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming’s Matted Pet Policy. I voluntarily agree that Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming will not be held responsible for any accident or injury to my pet.

Pet Grooming Release Form

I, [Client Name], understand and acknowledge that Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming reserves the right to refuse service to any pet for any reason. I agree to provide all necessary information about my pet’s health and behavior to Bow Tie Mobile Pet Grooming before grooming services are performed.