Every day, hundreds of dogs die or get injured at the hands of pet groomers as a result of their negligence. California doesn't allow a non-licensed/certified contractor to work on our toilets, but it's okay for a non-licensed groomer to work on our pets? A routine trip to the pet groomer should never result in serious injuries to your pet or the loss of his/her life. You can help make a difference by professionalizing the pet grooming industry to ensure that groomers are properly trained and pets are protected from harm. Furthermore, negligent pet groomers need to be held accountable for their actions. 

On Aug 13, 2015, our precious baby, Sparky, was killed by a local groomer (Darlene's Pet Salon) in Lake Isabella, CA. We were told by the business owner that Sparky went "ballistic" and died of a heart attack, but the results of the necropsy, however, determined that Sparky's heart was "within normal limits." The necropsy also showed evidence of "bruising horizontally around (Sparky’s) neck” consistent with ligature marks from a “slip leash or noose,” “bloody fluid in (Sparky’s) mouth” and “hemorrhaging behind both tympanic membranes” (a.k.a., eardrums). Death by strangulation was determined to be the cause of death. Sparky was left unattended and leashed in one of the elevated bathtubs. 

A small number of states, such as Connecticut and Colorado, currently license pet groomers. Licensing often means groomers need to pass a written test, pass regular inspections, have training, and standards are set out in the law. For example, in Colorado, groomers aren't allowed to leave a pet alone on a grooming table.

Our pets are the silent victims so it's up to us to be their voice. It's up to us to protect them. There are currently no licensing requirements in California for pet groomers. This needs to change. Please sign this petition to bring regulatory oversight and licensing requirements to the pet grooming industry.