A local dog groomer is reacting to news from the province that grooming businesses are being reopened.
The province announced Thursday that pet grooming businesses are allowed to reopen, under the condition that they only provide services that prevent an animal from going to the vet or that an owner is required to have done under the Animal Welfare Act.
Florence Noonan of Little Piece of Heaven Pet Grooming says while she’s excited with the announcement, she’s a little upset with the lack of notice.
“Like is it left to my discretion on who I can groom?” she asked. “The way it’s worded about if they need to see a vet first. Are they the ones that say ‘yes, the animal needs to be groomed, or no’. That’s my only thing is the clarity on grooming.”
Noonan says her phone has been ringing non-stop since the announcement, however, she is hesitant as to what she can and cannot do in terms of providing service.
She says she just wants to get back to keeping animals well-kempt, happy and healthy.
“I spoke with the health unit and they basically said it’s at my discretion to determine whether I feel the animal needs to be groomed or not,” Noonan said. “It’s not to make them pretty or smell good, it’s if they’re matted, in dire need, the nails are long, and all these things are causing stress.”
The province says businesses can only provide service by appointment, they can only make one appointment per animal at a time and they can provide curbside pickup and drop off of the animal.
Noonan says while she’s happy to be back in some capacity, the shutdown has left a sour taste in the mouth.
“I’m also in the process of having an addition added to my shop, so that’s been a little bit stressful not to have income come in to pay for the renovations. Thankfully, my husband is still working, so that’s obviously a bonus there – but it’s definitely been stressful.”
