In California, a 17-year-old dog named Curly was "cooked to death" after groomers put him in the dryer and forgot about him. In Colorado, Honey, a Maltese with a new litter of puppies, entered a grooming shop for a quick haircut. Moments later, her owner received a call saying she was dead. A vet’s report found that she had been asphyxiated, probably from being tied up and left unattended. And close to home in New Jersey, a six-year-old terrier named Ozzie recently returned from a trip to the groomers paralyzed. He had to be euthanized due to the extent of his back injuries.

Clearly, there is a need for regulation of dog groomers across this country, but no state has laws in place to ensure it happens. Proposed legislation could make New York the first state to require licensing and inspections for pet grooming facilities. Let’s join forces to make this a reality, before we lose any more of our beloved pets.

Raise your voice to help move New York Assembly Bill 1451 forward and make history by ensuring that our precious pets get the level of care they deserve.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council recognizes the need for reform, and it has revealed uniform grooming standards, but any enforcement of these standards is up to states, which so far do not have oversight channels in place. It will take a change in state laws to create dependable regulation in the pet grooming industry. It’s the only way pet lovers can truly feel comfortable that their pets are in good hands.

New Jersey and Massachusetts have followed New York’s lead and introduced legislation to regulate the pet grooming industry. Let’s set an even greater example and get New York’s bill signed into law. Pets across the country will thank us.