DO NOT GO HERE. If I could sue for animal abuse, I would, it seems like my dog has been tortured…read more
For context: my dog is 9 years old, 6 pounds, has no teeth, and has had a C-section. She is small, elderly, and vulnerable. She also has no way to protect herself.
Since this groom, my dog is shaking, terrified, withdrawn, walking abnormally, and yelps in pain when picked up and pet even gently. She's previously a show dog, has been groomed many times before, and has never had this kind of reaction. Her personality changed from a happy, social dog who loved being held & pet to a fearful, in constant pain, trembling dog.
I brought her in with clear instructions and reference photos: do not cut short. Small trim only--even the coat and keep her round. The woman I spoke to appeared to understand. I arrived for pickup and she was shaved down. No call. No consent. Only after I saw what was done did a man at the front say she "had mats" and told me to "come back every month."
If matting was the issue, you call the owner before shaving--especially after being told "do not cut short." There were multiple options (spot demat, longer session, reschedule, partial trim). I would have happily paid for whatever extra time was needed to avoid putting my dog through pain. I had my phone on me and I have no missed calls/texts/voicemails from the business.
I've been to the vet within the last month for a full checkup and they confirmed she was healthy, happy, and in zero pain pre-groom. I brush her daily, carefully shave her stomach at home to prevent matting, and she's nothing but sweet. I've had Pomeranians before--this isn't my first rodeo. If they're claiming they shaved her because they thought she was "in pain" before, which she wasn't--she is clearly in a lot of pain now. She can barely sit down without wincing in pain. I called my vet and they're having me come in for a check up this week to make sure they didn't hurt her irreversibly.
I paid and left because I'm not confrontational and I was in shock. But when I saw her walking outside I knew something was seriously wrong. I got to my car and broke down crying while holding my helpless dog. And on top of that, the grooming itself is genuinely bad: uneven, choppy, rough, and looks rushed, careless. I'll have to trim her myself to make sure it grows in evenly.
They offered a refund which I have not received. I would never want this service even if it were free--trauma is lifelong. Before/after photos attached.
If you care about your dog's wellbeing, DO NOT GO here under any circumstances. Its a sketchy business, boarded up windows; I chose it because I thought it was a kinder groomer since they say they don't use cages but you can't see where the dogs are groomed so who knows & there's a genuine lack of care or gentleness in their grooming methods.
I don't think my dog has smiled since the appointment.
