Bailey’s Neighborhood Pet FAQs

Grooming Questions

• Even though the retail and self-wash open at 10 during the week, can I still bring my dog in or shop before hours since the groomer is here?

  No. Our self-wash and retail hours are clearly posted on the website and the door. The groomer cannot help you at the self-wash or retail at that time, as they are focusing on grooming their dogs, and front desk staff does not arrive until opening. The groomers are sometimes working on cats or special-needs dogs that CANNOT be left unattended. Please wait until opening hours to utilize our self-wash and retail.

• I have an appointment before opening hours and the door is locked. What do I do?

  Groomers arrive before their first appointment, so more than likely the groomer is there. We have a doorbell that is located on the left side of the door meant specifically for our early morning appointments! Press and hold the doorbell for a second and it will indicate to the groomer that you’ve arrived. If you’ve arrived early to an 8am or 9am appointment, then you may have to wait a bit for the groomer to arrive.

• How do I book an appointment?

  Please give us a call at 360-733-9274 and use option 1 to schedule an appointment.

• Why is cat grooming the price it is?

  If you’ve ever tried to bathe your cat yourself, then you know it can be potentially dangerous for both you and the cat, as it can act out in the process. Our groomers are not immune to this effect, as cats can often experience heavy anxiety during a bath, blow-dry and haircut. We do our best to provide a relaxed environment for your cat by booking them as early morning appointments where the groomer can focus their full attention on your cat. However, we cannot help what your cat decides they can or can’t handle. For all pets, we try to reduce the anxiety levels by catering to them and their needs, as pushing a high anxiety situation can have dire consequences such as seizures, heart attacks, vomiting, etc. Cats are immediately classified as high anxiety/special needs animals that require the groomer’s full, undivided attention and care. Cat grooming prices are often based on size and hair length of the cat, which can be quoted to you over the phone when you book. From there, the price can still vary $15-$20 if your cat is matted or requires a longer groom time than was initially estimated.

• Why is cat grooming primarily first appointments?

  Cats are immediately classified as high anxiety/special needs pets in our shop. Because of this, we need to do their groom straight through before the shop opens with no distractions or extra stimuli such as dogs barking, blow dryers going, etc. If you absolutely cannot do a first appointment for your cat, then we can accommodate you and book midday, but it will incur a 50% increase on your groom price.

• Do we sedate our cat before their grooming appointment?

  No. We do not take cats that are sedated for grooming. Our policy is that the cat not be medically inebriated, as it can be a liability on the groomer. We can take cats/dogs that are using CBD products, as it is not medically prescribed. Plus, if your cat is aware of what is happening at the groomer, it is more likely to get used to grooming, which will be easier on you, your cat, and your wallet, in the long run.

• I have a dog that requires extra attention. What are the options for these dogs?

  Dogs that require extra attention, due to high anxiety, old age, disability, etc. can be booked as an SNA (special needs animal) which will allow the groomer to give them their full, undivided attention. If you’re booking over the phone, you’ll want to tell the person booking you that they are a special needs dog. If you’re booking online, you can put (SNA) next to your dog’s name so we can make the proper accommodations for your pet. Please note that if you book midday instead of first appointment, we will have to charge you 150% of the dog’s groom price, as they require full, undivided attention for the duration that they’re here which means that groomers cannot take other dogs at that time and needs to be compensated to do so.

• Why doesn't the puppy package include a full haircut?

  The purpose of a puppy package is to get your pup used to being with us and interacting with grooming equipment! This makes it a more familiar process for them, and less stressful in the long run. Most of the appointment is spent getting puppies used to the bath, dryer, and trimming. We do put the clippers close to the puppy to get them used to the sensation and noise, however, since they spend their first few appointments fighting us, a haircut is not possible to achieve. Plus, most breeders and groomers don’t recommend doing any more than trimming before the puppy’s adult coat comes in! This can ruin their adult coat. Of course, this doesn’t mean your dog should never see a groomer ever in their life before their adult coat grows in. They’re most adaptable and malleable while they’re young, so doing introductory grooming classes will help them to get used to the process. That way they aren’t fighting us, or as stressed out, when they’re older and bigger and getting their first full groom. The puppy package is the perfect introductory series of appointments that will help your puppy get comfortable with us and the grooming process so they can get the haircut you actually want when the time comes.

• Will my pet be put in a kennel dryer during their appointment?

  More than likely, yes. The kennel dryer allows us to stagger our appointments, as after one gets a bath, they can be put in the kennel dryer to finish drying while the next one gets a bath. We do understand the concern around kennel dryers, as there are some horror stories out there. However, at Bailey’s we do not use any heat dryers on the animals. The air being blown into the kennel is entirely room-temperature and can also be less stressful than the regular dryer, as it can feel a bit like sticking their head out the window on a car ride. For any other questions or concerns, feel-free to contact us. If you are still uncomfortable with the kennel dryer, we can try to accommodate as best as possible. Please talk to the groomer for this at your appointment time. *If your dog needs to be bathed and blow-dried straight through with no kennel time, this could qualify your dog as a special needs animal. See question above for more details.

• Can I leave my pet here all day?

  Unfortunately, Bailey’s is not a doggy daycare. As we have groom appointments booked throughout the day, the kennel that your dog occupies will need to be filled by other groom dogs that come in later in the day. Otherwise, we have overflow in the back which is stressful for both the groomers and the dogs. We give you a call once your dog is ready to be picked-up, and if there’s no answer, we leave a voice message and send a text message. If you’re running late, we understand; however, if you’re going to be over an hour late for your pick-up, please give us a call so we can best accommodate you and your pet. Otherwise, we can incur an additional $20 daycare fee onto your groom price. If you leave your dog here until after closing, we incur a $1 a minute fee onto your groom price for the time they are left here after closing.