Terms & Conditions

Terms & Conditions 

The following Terms & Conditions covers services by Vicky Crowley and Happy Hounds Dog Grooming. By booking an appointment you are agreeing that you have read and accepted these terms and conditions, and hereby release the salon from any responsibility of the below-mentioned process and all medical problems that may be uncovered and/or occur during the services. Should your pet require veterinary care after or during the service, you hereby agree for the salon to seek veterinary services and to pay all fees if required. 

Pricing

Our grooming prices are estimates and may vary depending on your pet’s specific needs. The quoted prices are based on the assumption that your dog is:

• On a regular grooming schedule

• Free of parasites

• Well-behaved during the grooming process

• Free of heavy matting or coat neglect

If additional time or care is required, extra charges may apply. This will be assessed and discussed at your dogs drop off. We are committed to providing the best care for your pet while ensuring a safe and stress-free experience.

Pet Safety

Due to the intimate nature of the grooming process, or a pets tolerance lever for stress, strangers or handling, some pets can become anxious or reactive during the grooming process.

If we determine that continuing the grooming service would present a threat to your dog’s emotional or physical health, and/or the safety of the groomer completing the service, we will discontinue today’s service and contact you immediately. In the event this happens, you understand you will be responsible for any services rendered.

We will take every precaution necessary to complete the grooming service safely and humanely, using appropriate industry safety equipment including; grooming loops, muzzles and restraints. In booking an appointment you grant permission to us to utilise the correct restraints for the health and safety of your pet and groomer.

Cancellation & No-show Policy 

We understand that sometimes appointments must be canceled, but we require a minimum of 48 hours' notice for cancellations. Cancellations made with less than 48 hours' notice may be subject to a charge equal to 100% of the scheduled grooming service fee. This is to help compensate for lost time and the inconvenience of rescheduling. 

Cancellations can be made easily by calling / texting the salon on 07847 279 823 or by sending an email to vicky@happyhoundsdogsgrooming.com. 

If the grooming session has started but we are unable to proceed and finish the full grooming session due to the dog's uncooperative or aggressive behaviour, we will have to end the grooming session immediately for the welfare and safety of the groomer and your dog. 

We ask that our introduction forms are filled out honestly regarding the dog's temperament and any worries you may have about your dog being groomed, so that we can prepare ourselves for the dog's grooming session and assess whether we think they are suitable to be groomed in our salon safely. 

We reserve the right to cancel the grooming session if we feel under threat and that we have not been properly informed of the dog's behaviour. A reasonable charge will be made for the time spent trying to groom the dog and the allocated slot appointed. 

For clients who arrive 15 minutes or more late for their appointment, we may need to reschedule or may not be able to perform the full service. A charge of 100% of the grooming service fee will apply for appointments missed or cancelled without prior notice. 

GDPR Policy

Here at Happy Hounds we take the privacy of our clients very seriously and will never distribute or divulge any of your personal details to third parties, with the exception of the veterinarian you provided as your dog's emergency care provider. We are happy to provide you with access to any of your data at any given time. 

Our Privacy Policy is required as a part of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). We are responsible for informing you of the information we hold about you and your dog, how we use the information and how it is stored in our salon. 

All the information we have about you and your dog will have been provided in your consent forms. We store the following information about your dog on your consent forms and grooming card which will be locked away securely each night with only senior staff having access to it. 

• Your name, address, email address, and emergency contacts, all of which you will have provided in your consent forms. 

• Your dog's age, breed, colour, gender, distinctive markings etc Grooming records from previous grooming sessions which include blades and brushes used, areas where scissors were used, any products used, nails clipped, date and time of services provided, etc. 

• Any of your dog's likes/dislikes during their grooming session. 

• If your dog has nervous tendencies, gets excited, or is aggressive during previous grooming appointments 

• Any medical issues that you have provided us with or that we find during the Grooming process. 

• The amount you spent during your visit with the salon. 

We must have your name, address, and phone number as a bare minimum; so that we have the ability to contact you for appointment reminders/changes/dog ready texts or if we urgently need to contact you when your dog is in our care. 

Your name and contact number will also be stored on my pass-code protected mobile phone to enable me to contact you in cases of emergencies, dog-ready texts, and appointment reminders. These details will not be used for anything else. No other details are held on my mobile phone.

We will only use your personal information in the following ways:- 

• to respond to any inquiries made by yourself to us 

• to send appointment reminders via email and text message 

• to send any discount vouchers or promotions 

• for market research purposes 

• for record keeping purpose 

• to deal with inquiries, complaints, or requests 

• to contact you about your scheduled appointment, collection or drop off, cancellations, rescheduling, or any emergencies that occur. 

• to request a review 

You may ask to view your stored information at any time. If you move away from the area, you may take your information with you so you can give it to your new groomers, this way they can style your dog the same as we have in previous grooming sessions. 

If for any reason you would like your information destroyed please let us know and we will do so at your request. If a customer has not made an appointment within 2 years we will destroy their information. 

Happy Hounds Dog Grooming do not keep any payment card details, or record these in any way. For card payments we use Square, whose Privacy Policy can be reviewed here.

Parasite Policy: 

We strive to maintain a flea and tick-free environment for all our clients. Therefore, we kindly request that you ensure your dog is free from any visible flea or tick infestations before your scheduled grooming appointment. 

If you suspect they may have fleas or a tick please check them thoroughly and inform us as soon as you can if you need to cancel your appointment. (please also see cancellation policy) 

If fleas or ticks are discovered during the grooming process, we will alert you immediately and work with you to determine the best course of action. We may offer a flea shampoo at additional cost, but we strongly recommend consulting with your veterinarian for proper treatment. 

In the event that fleas or ticks are detected during a grooming session, you may incur additional costs for extra time, cleaning supplies, and/or equipment disinfection. 

We reserve the right to refuse service to dogs that pose a health risk due to a severe flea or tick infestation, even if it's not immediately apparent. 

Matted Coat Policy

Matted coats can cause a variety of skin and health problems and do not allow the air to circulate to the skin, which can lead to hot spots, bacterial and fungal infections. Fleas, ticks, maggots and other parasites may be lurking in the coat causing further skin problems.

Matted fur also pulls and binds, causing pain to your pet when they move or lay on the mats. The skin underneath may be raw and inflamed. Matted coats will not dry properly which can also lead to skin infections.

If your dog’s coat is matted, it may need to be clipped extremely short and may show signs of skin irritation and sores. Dogs that have not been groomed regularly may become stressed and find the grooming session painful.

It is our goal to make your pet’s grooming experience as stress free as possible. Sometimes, due to the condition of the coat, we may determine that the only humane thing to do is a shave down. This is a short clip, removing all the matting. It is unfeasible to de-mat/brush out the coat as this would cause excessive pain and suffering.

There is a strong chance that your pet’s skin will become more irritated during the clipping process. We recommend using a medicated shampoo to help soothe any irritation that may occur. Due to the mats being tight against the skin, the only way of removing them is to use a short blade to clip between the skin and mats he/she may be nicked/cut because we must work so closely to the skin. We are very careful, but the possibility of injury is there, and you need to be aware of this.

We have a de-matting policy which we will ask you to sign should we feel this is the best service for your dog. We will access your dog at drop off and consult with you; making you aware of any additional charges that will apply before going ahead with the appointment.

Senior Pets and Health Problems.

Occasionally, grooming can expose a hidden medical problem or aggravate a current one. Please make sure you have filled out your pets profile as fully as possible so Happy Hounds is fully aware of any known medical issues before starting the service.

You understand that in the best interests of your pet, Happy Hounds may request immediate veterinary treatments. You are aware that this will be at your expense if emergency services are required.

You understand that senior pets have a greater chance of injury during grooming. You will not hold Vicky Crowley or Happy Hounds Dog Grooming responsible for an accident or injury to your pet.

Social Media Policy

We like to take before and after pictures of the grooming process to share on our social media channels. All photos taken are copyright of Happy Hounds. 

By booking an appointment, you grant Happy Hounds Dog Grooming permission to photograph and/or record video of your pet for use on Happy Hounds’ official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, company website, and other marketing materials. You understand that these images and videos will be the property of Happy Hounds and may be used for promotional purposes.

You release and discharge Happy Hounds from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action arising from the use of these images or recordings.

While the images remain the property of Happy Hounds, you understand that should you wish for any image to be removed, it will be taken down within 48 hours of a written request, without the need to provide a reason.

You also authorise Happy Hounds Dog Grooming to include my pet’s first name, breed, age, and grooming service received in any related social media or marketing content.

Veterinarian Consent

During the groom, if unable to contact you, Victoria Crowley of Happy Hounds will be responsible for the care of your dog(s). In the event of an emergency or illness, you hereby authorise your registered veterinarian (if the designated veterinarian is unavailable, you authorise Happy Hounds to transport your dog(s) to an alternative licensed veterinarian) to provide any necessary medical treatment. You understand that you will be fully responsible for all veterinary costs incurred and agree to settle any charges upon your return.

You accept responsibility for all associated costs, including but not limited to: veterinary fees and transportation expenses.

You release and hold harmless Victoria Crowley and Happy Hounds from any and all liability related to the transportation of your dog(s) to and from veterinary facilities and treatment administered in your absence.

Clipping Double Coated Dogs

At Happy Hounds, we do not recommend shaving double-coated dogs and will only do so if it is in the dog’s best interest and/or recommended by a veterinarian.  It is important to realise that shaving a double-coated dog can have a long-term effect on your dog.

REASONS WE DON'T RECOMMEND SHAVING DOUBLE COATED DOGS

• Skin problems can occur. Razor burn, sore spots, and skin irritation can happen due to your dog feeling the need to lick and scratch following their grooming session

• The undercoat acts like insulation and is there to regulate the dog's body temperature, shaving this can have an effect on them

• Shaving may seem to help shedding but it is only a temporary fix.

• The top coat can be damaged beyond repair which can make shedding unpredictable and uncomfortable for the dog.

• The undercoat may become damaged exposing the dog to heat and insect bites.

• Alopecia may occur in severe cases. Patches of fur may be shorter than in other areas and in worst case scenario may not grow back at all

• The top coat can take up to two years to fully grow back. The texture may be completely different than before the shave, Bald patches may occur too.

• Shaving can distress the dog and make them feel uncomfortable

• The dog will be exposed to the elements and may get a sunburn, heatstroke, and worst case skin cancer. It may be necessary to take extra precautions for the dog following a full shave such as clothing and sunscreen.

Should you still wish to proceed we shall ask you to sign a waiver at drop off which releases Happy Hounds from any liability that may occur including injury and any medical conditions following the shave down.