Grooming is looming: Province will allow pet groomers to reopen under certain restrictions
Posted February 4, 2021 11:55 am.
Last Updated February 4, 2021 1:06 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Pet and dog grooming is making a comeback.
Ontario’s government is revising its laws that will allow various groomers across the province to work under some specific restrictions as of Thursday.
In an email to 680 NEWS, Ontario’s Ministry of Solicitor General clarified that pet grooming businesses can open:
- To prevent an animal from requiring foreseeable and reasonably imminent veterinary care or
- Are providing services that an animal owner has been required to obtain pursuant to an order issued under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019.
Additionally, Sylvia Jones’ office says that pet grooming businesses may only open to provide the above-noted services if:
- They only provide the services by appointment.
- They permit only one appointment for one animal at a time.
- They are provided through curbside pickup and drop-off of the animal.
Pet groomers across the province were forced to shutter their businesses back in December as part of Ontario’s lockdown. Pet groomers, as well as Toronto and Mississauga’s mayors, spoke out recently, asking the government to clarify rules around these services, saying current pandemic restrictions aren’t clear on whether businesses specializing in the services can operate.
Some cities said that has lead to confusion for businesses and pet owners.
Natasha Santos is the manager of “The Dog Market” on Queen East telling 680 NEWS grooming pets is not just about making your dog look cute; groomers can play a significant role in a dog’s health, discovering matted hair, ingrown nails, warts, ear infections, and costs.
“A whole slew of issues that can happen. It’s costly to go to the vet and it’s uncomfortable for the dog,” Santos says. “You just don’t know what to do. You just don’t know what’s happening until it’s too late, these infections [it’s] already too late, and that is why grooming is so important.”
Santos says going through Ontario’s lockdown has been very difficult, so being allowed to take this step, is significant.
“It’s been tough. It’s been tough for everyone, we aren’t the only ones. Gyms have had it worse, businesses have had it worse. We’re certainly way better off than other industries,” she continued.
“You still have to feed your dog, so we’re still very fortunate. But the whole situation has been tough.”
This led to multiple petitions ordering the government to designate groomers as essential services.
“Injuries will occur when pet owners attempt to be pet groomers. We believe that many dogs will suffer as their hair continues to grow and grow and become matted and uncomfortable and we hope that by petitioning the government they will see that dog grooming is essential and amend the list to include it. If you agree please make your voice heard,” said Karen Workman, owner of DogGone Beautiful.
The Greater Toronto and Hamilton (GTHA) mayors and chairs said the provincial government needs to make the rules clear.
“In light of the inconsistent treatment that has arisen … a clear determination is requested so we can have clarity across the region and across the province,” the group said in a statement Monday.
Toronto Mayor John Tory said last week that the city’s lawyers had been reaching out to the province on the issue. At the time, Mayor Bonnie Crombie confirmed they, too, sent a letter to the province asking it to declare dog walking and grooming as essential services.
The province had said, however, that pet grooming was allowed when required for an animal’s health and said a vet could provide those services.
