Grooming Form

At Harmony Hill Animal Hospital, our top priority is the safety of pets, our clients, and our staff.

Requirements for Grooming

• The pet is 8 weeks of age or older.
• Current Rabies vaccine for pets 16 weeks or older – unless your pet has been labelled as a severe vaccine reactor, documented by a licensed veterinarian.
• Current Bordetella Vaccine (administered nasally)
• Current Distemper/Parvo Vaccine
• The pet, to the best of your knowledge, is safe and healthy enough to groom. If Harmony Hill Animal Hospital staff has a concern about your pet’s health or safety, we may require clearance from their veterinarian prior to the grooming process.

Please Be Advised

• We reserve the right to refuse service to any pet or client for any reason.
• Grooming may expose pre-existing skin and health issues for which Harmony Hill Animal Hospital cannot be held liable.
• Grooming geriatric or lame pets will be performed at the owner’s risk.
• Pets with active symptoms including coughing, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, or lethargy will be treated at the owner’s expense. Appointments may need to be rescheduled based on the severity of symptoms or concern of contagion for other pets.
• Pets that come in with skin infections or open wounds may be canceled, rescheduled, or may have the option to treat the condition during your appointment if grooming can be performed without risk of further infection or harm.
• We do not groom pets during their heat cycle.
• We do not groom pregnant pets that are significantly close to term or nursing pets.
• In case of emergency, the client authorizes Harmony Hill Animal Hospital to proceed with necessary treatment (as determined by the Veterinarian on staff) at the client’s expense.
• Payment must be made at the time of service.
• Our prices are based on size, breed, coat condition, behavior, temperament, and duration of service. For this reason, your price may change from visit to visit.
• Nail trimming will be included in all bath or haircut appointments, provided that these services do not compromise the pet or groomer’s safety.
• External anal gland expression may be performed by the groomer upon request. Internal anal gland expression is a medical procedure that will only be performed by a veterinary care provider. A client may request internal anal gland expression for an additional fee.
• We do not offer extensive de-matting services. If your pet is matted, it will be partially or completely shaved. This may drastically change your pet’s appearance.
• The process of removing matted coat may expose skin and health issues for which Harmony Hill Animal Hospital will not be held responsible. These issues may include dry or flaky skin, open wounds, bruising, and hematomas.

Cancellations and No-Shows

• Our salon is operated “by appointment” only. No shows and late cancelations have a dramatic effect on our ability to efficiently manage our schedule, employee labor costs, etc.
• Clients may cancel or reschedule an appointment if the initial request is made more than 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment. No shows or cancellations within 24 hours will result in a fee equal to 100% of the estimated appointment price. The undersigned client expressly authorizes Harmony Hill Animal Hospital to charge the form of payment on file for this fee. In cases of inclement weather, emergency, or other uncontrollable circumstances, the groomer may waive this fee, at their discretion.
• Clients with a history of no shows or late cancellations will be asked to prepay for their appointments or pay a non-refundable deposit.
• We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule an appointment at any point if we feel the need to do so. All efforts will be made to reschedule appointments at a time that is convenient for the client and groomer.

Late Drop Off and Pick Up

• As a salon that runs on a “by appointment” schedule, accepting late appointments can be very difficult, if not impossible.
• Pets dropped off ten minutes or more after their appointment time may be subject to cancellation of their appointment.
• If our schedule allows us to accept a late appointment, a $20 convenience fee may be charged.
• Pets are expected to be dropped off no earlier than 15 minutes prior to their appointment. Special exceptions may be made upon request to accommodate work schedules, etc.
• Pets should be picked up within 30 minutes of notification of completion. Pickups outside of this period are allowed but may be subject to a boarding fee.
• Pets picked up after business hours will be charged a late pick-up fee based on the time. This fee will be no less than $25 for every 10 minutes after closing.
• Pets left at the salon outside of regular business hours will be automatically charged a $75 overnight fee.

Fleas, Ticks, and Other Parasites

• Any pet deemed to have a flea and/or tick infestation will be treated at the owner’s expense. This may include an examination fee from the Veterinarian on staff if the pet has not established a Veterinarian/Client/Patient Relationship within the preceding year.
• In addition, all pets with fleas and/or ticks will be given a medicated bath in addition to the flea & tick preventative at the owner’s expense.
• Harmony Hill Animal Hospital will not be held responsible for any adverse reactions to any flea and tick preventative, or shampoo administered during the service.
• Pets arriving with intestinal parasites may be sent home if they are exhibiting certain symptoms such as diarrhea. If the condition can be treated without increasing risk to other animals, the client agrees to have the pet treated by the Veterinarian on staff at the client’s expense.
• We do not service pets with an active scabies (sarcoptic mange) infection.

Dangerous and Difficult Pets

• Open and honest communication is vital to a safe grooming experience for both the pet and the groomer. Clients will be held responsible for any injury to the groomer due to dishonesty or negligence on the owner’s part.
• If we determine that our groomer is experiencing unnecessary risk, we will discontinue the service. Clients may still be responsible for the full grooming cost.
• Pricing for difficult or dangerous pets is based on the time it takes to safely complete the groom. For this reason, your pet’s price may change from visit to visit.
• If any pet must be bathed more than two times during their visit due to defecation, urination, vomiting, etc., we will discontinue the groom and reschedule the pet for completion to maintain our schedule.
• Additional bathing required due to defecation, urination, vomiting, etc. will be administered an additional fee of no less than $15 based on the size of the pet and the time required.

Photos, Videos, and Social Media

• The client agrees to allow Harmony Hill Animal Hospital to take pictures and videos of the pets in our care and agrees that we may post these pictures or videos on our website or social media for marketing and social media purposes.
• We take photos and videos of the pets in our care, in part, for our protection. We use these to have a record of matted coat or preexisting skin, coat, or health issues.

I, the client named above, have read and understand this agreement. I understand that I am responsible for any veterinary care deemed necessary by the Veterinarian on staff and agree to pay at the time of pick-up for any expenses incurred during the treatment of my pet. Furthermore, I understand and agree with all the above-stated policies and procedures. I will not hold Harmony Hill Animal Hospital or any of its employees or subsidiaries responsible or liable for any condition or issue exposed by the grooming of my pet, or any harm or injury caused by the actions, behavior, or coat condition of my pet. In the event of any of these circumstances, I agree to refrain from public disparagement including negative reviews, social media posts & comments. I give Harmony Hill Animal Hospital the authorization to charge my payment source for any necessary services, cancelled or no-show appointments as outlined in the policy above, and agree to keep an updated card on file for these occurrences.