On your first visit to Rural Tails, please allow 10-15 minutes for a consultation to discuss your pets welfare, temperament and the grooming requirements for that day. All customers are required to sign a customer record and consent card. A photograph pre and post grooming may be taken for comparison of ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures, and may be used on our Facebook Page or website.


A general ‘visible’ health check takes place prior to any groom. Whist bathing or grooming if I find anything that I think you should be concerned about I will inform you when you collect your pet.


If you think that your pet has fleas, or you suspect them, or if you know that you have them, DO NOT bring your pet to the salon. You must treat them at home and only then after a period of a few days can your grooming request take place. You can call for a consultation regarding this problem. If your pet is found to have FLEAS when they come to the grooming salon, there will be an automatic charge of £15 added to your bill. When your pet comes with fleas we have to bath it in flea shampoo along with every other animal that comes in that day, plus the resident animals, and then we have to ‘deep clean’ and spray the salon to kill any fleas that have escaped, and prevent their eggs developing and to maintain salon hygiene. There is ALWAYS an extra charge for fleas.


All pets must be up-to-date with vaccinations, worm and flea treatments prior to grooming unless having flea treatment on the day of the groom.


Grooming is a basic requirement for your animal and is a major part of ownership. Pet’s need physical maintenance. Regular grooming is vital to health and comfort. The price given on the website or on the phone is an estimated price for the breed and your requirements. We will discuss the pricing when you bring the animal and after consultation. Dogs which require additional time due to the condition of their coat or are difficult to handle, will incur an additional charge. We reserve the right to alter the price given these circumstances. When your pet comes in for grooming the basic price includes a spa bath using quality shampoo and deep conditioning treatment, they will be blow dried by hand – we do not use cage dryers or cabinets and then they will be groomed to your requirements. They will receive a sanitary clip under the belly and tail, and the fur between the pads on their feet will be trimmed, nails cut if necessary, and ears cleaned.


We do NOT empty anal glands. This is a veterinary procedure.


We do not pluck ears, unless there are loose hairs that gently come away from the ear when rubbed. Ear plucking is painful for the dog and can further irritate an ear canal already prone to irritation and lead to ear problems that may not have occurred otherwise. Plucking the hair from a dog’s ear canal leaves minute openings–essentially, tiny wounds–in the skin where bacteria can simply settle more easily. Additionally, because (a) dogs generally don’t like the feeling of hair being plucked out of their ears and (b) plucking can leave the skin irritated, a dog may be more likely to scratch at his ears and shake his head, which will only make any ear problem worse. Seek advice from your vet regarding ear plucking. See ear problems post grooming.


Long eared dogs I.E Spaniels, Bassets etc. When masses of matted hair are removed from a dog’s ears, because his ears feel lighter or strange, the dog may continually shake their head. If your long haired dog starts shaking his head after grooming, be observant, observe for swelling or bruising and seek advice from your vet.


It is the OWNER's duty of care towards their pet to maintain their pets coat from day one of ownership – either by grooming the pet themselves or committing to professional grooming.
At Rural Tails We will ATTEMPT to de-mat or comb out a couple of knots in a coat only if we feel that the animal will not suffer pain, and the procedure will take a few minutes. If it will take longer or is too much then we will shave the area(s) involved. Shaving the coat is quicker and gentler on the animal.
Many animals are traumatised by unnecessary hours of de-matting, putting them off grooming for life. We consider shaving an act of kindness.
Dense matting always causes discomfort to your dog. It pulls, twists and ridges, felts to the skin and causes grazes or catch marks to the skin. If required when shaving off the coat, we will shave using a very close blade. All attempts will be made to leave your dog some dignity by leaving them with as much fur as possible, to your length requirements if possible.
We always abide by the Animal Welfare Act (2006) when deciding on the best action to take in the case of severe matting. Although, we afford ALL CARE & ATTENTION during this process, some minor irritation, marking or shaving rash may occur – which usually settles within a day or so. If shaving is carried out in your pets best interests and you have agreed this course of action then you understand these risks may occur and we are not liable for any of the above problems experienced by shaving. You are required to sign a disclaimer to this effect.
Removal of the matting may also reveal skin irritations caused by moisture trapped near the pet’s skin allowing mould, fungus or bacteria to grow. Clipping may also reveal embedded grass seeds, which may leave puss-filled holes in your dog’s skin if not removed and treated by your vet. You will be advised on collection of what the state of the skin has been found to be.
The after effects of mat removal procedures can include itchiness, skin redness, self-inflicted irritations or abrasions and failure of the hair to re-grow. Shaved pets are also prone to sunburn and should either have sunscreen applied daily or should be kept out of the sun until the hair grows sufficiently to protect the skin. In some cases pets may also exhibit brief behavioural changes.
Please remember and respect the facts – Your dog is a moving target. It is a living thing. It may not sit 100% still, we can only do our best. We have the right to halt the groom at any point if your animal is distressed, and we may suggest that you return in a couple of days for us to complete the groom when your dog is more accepting to finish the procedure. You agree when you hand over your dog to us for grooming that the groomer will not be held liable or responsible for irritation, abrasion, shaving rash, patchiness or other hair loss as a result of the process of grooming, de-matting, thinning, stripping, or shaving or any mishap caused by your non-disclosure of your pets medical condition or behaviour.


Health and Safety is our priority for both groomers and dogs during the grooming process. You must inform us prior to grooming if your dog has previously bitten someone, is aggressive , has been muzzled previously during grooming or any other questionable behavioural instances. Owners will be held liable for any bites or scratches and the damage caused to the groomer, loss of working days and wages and will also be expected to pay prescription charges or other charges incurred from any injuries. Any property damage caused by your dog will also be chargeable. I will stop the grooming process if I feel your dog's behaviour is compromising his safety or mine, and you will be requested to collect your dog finished or not. The full charge of the groom could apply.


If your pet is aggressive during grooming, jumping around, or attempting to bite it may be muzzled as a last resort, and attached to a grooming arm for the safety of themselves and others. It may be removed from the grooming area and placed in a secure cage to prevent danger to others. It will be released when you personally come to collect it and you remove it from the cage. Dogs that are uncontrollable will be sent home and the full grooming charge will be made. Under the Welfare of Animals Act (2006) we will not force your pet to undergo a grooming session. Under the Dangerous Dogs Act (2014) you may be prosecuted if your dog is out of control in a public or private place, and this includes a grooming salon.


You authorise us that if your pets health causes concern or they become ill or if the services of a veterinarian are required, to obtain treatment at your expense if you are not contactable.


If your pet becomes particularly distressed, your pet will be taken outside for a toilet break and then it will be given a rest period. This may prolong the overall grooming time period. Elderly dogs are welcome at your own risk. They are always given extra time and great care and kindness extended. Our estimated finishing times are just that – an estimate. You may have to wait a short while if your pet is not totally ‘finished’ upon your arrival.


If you would like us to groom your puppy, it must have had all its vaccinations. If it hasn’t yet been vaccinated it will not be groomed until one week after the last vaccination is given. The price depends on the size of the dog and not it’s age. A 5 month old Labrador is a huge size and weight in comparison to a tiny Yorkshire Terrier puppy and the charge will reflect this.


No animal will be groomed if they are obviously sick or in pup.


If there is a space you may park on the drive. If not, please park on the road outside my house, do not park across my neighbours drive. Use the side entrance/back gate for entry to the salon. Please ring the bell and wait. We will be with you shortly – we may have to shut the rear doors, and secure any loose dogs first.
Please make sure that you are on time to collect your pet. Dogs do not meet in our salon and if you have a dog to collect and you are late, the next appointment may be a dog that does not like other animals. We do not have anywhere to house your pet if you are late. A charge may be made for ‘Doggy Day Care’ if you do not turn up when you should.
Dogs will only be returned to the known owner or representative unless prior arrangement has been made with myself and the owner.


24 hours notice (minimum) is required when cancelling an appointment, otherwise the FULL COST will be charged. Please either visit, telephone or text. We are more than happy to reschedule.
If you fail to show up for your appointment and have not cancelled or rescheduled the full cost of the groom will be payable. No further appointment will be given to you until this fee is paid in full. Our appointments are always full and by not turning up you have lost us wages for the groomer and wasted an appointment that someone on our cancellation list would have been grateful for.
Due to people not turning up, a non-refundable deposit of £15 is required on all bookings for dogs and for all new clients. This can be paid by bank transfer when making the appointment. When you are an established client and trust has been established, no deposit will be required.


When you collect your dog and you see your grooming result, you will be pleased with the result and your dog will look and smell gorgeous. Please advise me before you leave the salon if you would like the face, tail or whatever slightly tweaked or shorter etc so that we can do this straight away. This is never an issue and I would rather you say there and then so we can tweak at that time.
If for some reason you are not happy we will try to resolve the issue quickly and amicably. Should the issue not be resolved you are invited to make another appointment with me to discuss the problem face to face and to look at the issues raised, and we can re-clip, etc.
If an issue is not resolved, all complaints must be made in writing within 48 hours. All complaints will be dealt with in a courteous manner from our side and we request courtesy too.


Rural Tails Dog Grooming.

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