Professional Standards + Code of Ethics

We must encourage compassion, collaboration, and continuing education within our industry while respecting the experience, boundaries, and professional judgement of those with whom we work. Professionalism extends beyond technical skill, and therefore includes not just how we interact with the community around us, but the community within our industry. The way we communicate with clients, colleagues, students, and fellow professionals matters. Conflict is far less like likely to develop in environments where people communicate respectfully and recognize one another boundaries. 

Honesty is important, but honesty without compassion can become cruelty. Feedback delivered with hostility rarely creates meaningful change. Our responsibility is not simply to know better, but to communicate and conduct ourselves in ways that allow our profession to become better. 

Professional Standards

Introduction

Every Pet Groomer and Stylist should strive to treat every animal entrusted to their care with kindness, patience, respect, and compassion. This must be done while simultaneously protecting the animal’s health, safety, comfort, and overall well being. The welfare of the animal must remain at the center of the work we do.

As professionals, we also have a responsibility to educate with patience and courtesy, communicate clearly, and listen carefully to the wants and needs of our clients. Whenever possible, we should work to meet those expectations , but never at the expense of the safety, comfort, quality of care, or well being of the animal in front of us.

Pet Groomers and Stylists should conduct themselves and operate their businesses with honesty, integrity, and professionalism. We must encourage compassion, collaboration, and continuing education within our industry while respecting the experience, boundaries, and professional judgement of those with whom we work. Professionalism extends beyond technical skill, and therefore includes not just how we interact with the community around us, but the community within our industry. The way we communicate with clients, colleagues, students, and fellow professionals matters. Conflict is far less like likely to develop in environments where people communicate respectfully and recognize one another boundaries.

Honesty is important, but honesty without compassion can become cruelty. Feedback delivered with hostility rarely creates meaningful change. Our responsibility is not simply to know better, but to communicate and conduct ourselves in ways that allow our profession to become better.

These standards of care, safety, sanitation, and professional conduct were devlopled through the knowledge and experience of professional Pet Groomers and Stylists, grooming educators, and national trade organizations representing decades of hands on experience within the grooming industry. Together, they establish a consistent foundation of expectations that responsible Pet Groomers and Stylists must strive to uphold, regardless of where, when, or how they received their training and education.

These standards exist for one reason: the animals entrusted to us deserve knowledgeable hands, thoughtful care, and professionals who understand that how we treat an animal and how we treat people are both reflections of the integrity of our profession.

Definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

  • “Pet” - any dog, cat, or other animal accepted for grooming or styling

  • “Pet Grooming”, “Pet Styling”, “Grooming”, or “Styling” - Clipping, trimming, styling, bathing or drying a pet for financial remuneration.

  • “Pet Groomer”, “Pet Stylist”, “Groomer”, “Stylist”, “Bather/Brusher” or “Bather/Dryer” - An individual who clips, trims, styles, bathes or dries a pet for financial remuneration and who adheres to these industry standards of care for safety and sanitation.

  • “Pet Grooming or Styling Facility”, “Grooming Salon” or “Facility” - A commercial establishment where a pet may be bathed, clipped, trimmed, and/or styled. This may be a brick and mortar facility, a mobile unit, or home grooming facility.

  • “House Call” or “House Call Groomer” - A person who clips, trims, styles, bathes, or dries a pet within the confines of the customer’s private home, grounds, or business.

  • “Student”, “Trainee”, or “Apprentice” - A person who is engaged in learning and acquiring knowledge of pet grooming or styling, either under the direction and supervision of a Pet Groomer or Stylist or while enrolled in a grooming or styling school, academy or training program.

  • “School”, “Academy” or “Training Program” - An establishment or program that teaches pet grooming and/or styling in a course of instruction which incorporates these industry standards of care for safety and sanitation.

  • “Cage Dryer” or “Box Dryer” - A piece of equipment that is attached to, or near, a cage or enclosure for the purpose of drying or aiding in the drying of a pet contained in a cage or enclosure, and which is capable of functioning without a person manually holding a dryer.

  • “Cage Dryer” or “Box Dryer” - A piece of equipment that is attached to, or near, a cage or enclosure for the purpose of drying or aiding in the drying of a pet contained in a cage or enclosure, and which is capable of functioning without a person manually holding a dryer.

  • “Crate” or “Cage” - A safe and humane containment method of keeping and/or housing pets in the facility.

  • “Continuing Education” - Any program of course of study intended to enhance knowledge of subjects relevant to one’s profession.

  • “Pet First Aid” - The recognition of injury or illness and protocol for ensuring the pet receives appropriate care.

  • “Pet Friendly” - Any product, chemical, tool or piece of equipment which is safe for use of pets.

  • “Pet Restraint” - Any pet friendly restraint used or attached to a grooming arm, tub or other facility fixture or equipment to hold the pet safely and under control.