NEW CLIENTS

For new clients, Wags to Whiskers requires a $20.00, non-refundable, deposit to hold your grooming appointment. This deposit is applied towards your grooming appointment and is payable when booking dog grooming at 815-436-5957. The deposit must be paid over the phone upon booking your first grooming appointment. If grooming is later canceled by the client, with advance notice to Wags to Whiskers by phone at 815-436-5957, the deposit will carry over to 1 additional booking/rescheduled appointment. No call, no show clients will lose their deposit and will be required to pay an additional deposit for another booking with our company. If for any reason Wags to Whiskers needs to reschedule your appointment due to employee sickness, weather, etc., the deposit will be carried over to another appointment.

CANCELLATION/NO SHOW POLICY

For all clients, Wags to Whiskers can generally book several weeks in advance and we will always have a waiting list. IF FOR ANY REASON you need to cancel or reschedule, please contact us ASAP at 815-436-5957. Any cancellation with less than 24 hours' notice, or not arriving for your appointment without notification, may incur a non-refundable 50% cancellation fee to reschedule your grooming with our grooming staff. At minimum we may require non-refundable 50% deposit on your next grooming appointment to reschedule for any no call, no show for any client. 

If you are arriving late to your appointment, we require a phone call to advise us of this. If you are past 15 minutes late from your appointment time, we may need to cancel your appointment and reschedule for another date. You may incur a 50% deposit fee to reschedule to be applied towards your next grooming. 

We understand that sometimes there are occurrences in life that none of us can control. We understand this! We respectfully request courtesy by canceling verbally with us and informing us as soon as you can if you cannot make your appointment time. 

We truly appreciate your business, and we ask of you to appreciate our groomer's time, and our scheduling.

DEMATTING POLICY

All grooms will include 15 minutes of basic dematting as needed. Excessive matting will likely incur additional dematting charges and/or require the need for a complete, shorter hair cut (coat-condition dependent) and will be discussed at your appointment time. We may also need to phone you if we discover matting that isn’t discovered at your drop off time. We will always do what is in the best interest of the safety and health of your pet.

VACCINATION POLICIES

And we suggest Titer testing for Parvo and Distemper. Also the 3 years rabies vaccination is the same dosage of vaccination as the 1 year vaccination – it is not a stronger vaccination. The 1 year is certified for 1 year, the 3 year is certified for 3 years – and is the exact same vaccination. Some vets charge more for the 3 year – look around and find one who doesn’t charge more and get the 3 year vaccination – this is your right as a pet owner! 

Your dog is only required to have rabies vaccination once every 3 years. This is the ONLY vaccination required by law.

If your pet has had any vaccinations within 1 week of your grooming appointment, your pet may be sent home and rescheduled for another day. Please read this article (at link below) as to why. Our pets can shed and “share” vaccine viruses for days/weeks after vaccines. For the safety of all pets in our care, please do not vaccinate your pets within 1 week of any grooming appointment or visit to the store. 

https://www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com/5-unexpected-dangers-in-vaccines/

SHAVING DOGS

Wags to Whiskers does not SHAVE dogs like Akitas, Labradors, Dalmatians, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Chows, Keeshond, Goldens, Huskies, Collies, Poms, German Shepherds, Newfs, etc. unless they are severely matted beyond salvageable. These dogs and their coats are their protection from the elements, heat and cold, and shaving will damage their coats, likely permanently. We will do light trim on the feet, feathers and sanitary areas if needed, but we will not shave or take clippers to the bodies of these dogs. If your dog is shedding excessively, we suggest considering the Shed-Less treatment instead. Please see above. Thank you for understanding. Please call for confirmation and with any questions. 815-436-5957.

DIFFICULT DOG POLICY

Any dog that is excessively difficult to groom (from biting to jumping) is at the discretion of the groomer to groom or not. We reserve the right to deny services to difficult dogs that may injure themselves, our staff, or our equipment during grooming. 

If injury to any personnel results, your dog will be sent home and you will be charged for what we were able to complete. You will need to provide your proof of rabies certificate if your dog bites, and expect to be responsible for any and all action taken by Will County and the State of Illinois in accordance with its dog bite/dangerous dog laws. If your dog requires assisted grooming (up to 2 employees), you may be charged a *difficult dog* fee. These charges will be discussed at the time of your appointment and may range from $20.00 to $75.00 added on to your grooming price depending on the dog and the needs of the dog. 

If you are aware that your dog is difficult for grooming we may either muzzle your dog or refer you for veterinary grooming. We must know if your dog is aggressive and/or a biter. Knowing this in advance helps to keep everyone safe. 

Thank you in advance for understanding & scheduling your dogs to groom with us!