M P.
Petsmart groomer choked my dog.
I am absolutely horrified by the grooming experience my morkie, Cleo, received at the Petsmart location at Leslie and Elgin Mills, Markham ON Canada. Please read to the end. If you Google this location, I left a review with pictures of Cleo’s neck. I was almost in tears when I picked up Cleo following her grooming appointment. She was obviously terrified and there were serious ligature marks around her neck. It breaks my heart to think of my Cleo being restrained and struggling against the choke collar. She was so terrified that she lost control of her bowels. (The groomer, Jessica, told me that Cleo urinated and defacated on the table.) Poor Cleo must have been choking and squealing and suffering all while Jessica continued with her grooming. Horrifying! I cannot believe that a “trained”, ”certified” groomer would treat a dog this way. I cannot believe that the other groomers in the room stood by and let this go on. I cannot believe that no one bothered to call me to address Cleo’s state, but I did receive a call to ask how I wanted her tail cut?! It’s absurd. Apparently the grooming area has surveillance. I requested to see the video of Cleo’s appointment. I was told that this was against Petsmart’s privacy policy. I pointed out that Petsmart recorded me without my knowledge or consent. Consequently, I was told a special request could be made, but only if I forwarded the vet’s notes. Interesting… Petsmart did not feel Cleo needed to see a vet. Now, providing the vet’s notes is a condition of seeing Cleo’s grooming video. These are Petsmart policies, taken directly from the grooming salon FAQs on the Petsmart website: Can I stay and watch my pet being groomed? Yes, our Grooming Salons have a viewing area for you to comfortably watch your dog or cat getting groomed. - Then why can’t I watch Cleo’s grooming tape? If Petsmart claims transparency, then let me see the video. Will my pet be sedated? We never sedate pets, nor do we accept pets who have been sedated. If your dog or cat has been known to have a strong behavioral reaction to grooming or bathing, please advise us when making the appointment and when dropping off. If a pet is truly uncooperative or made uncomfortable by the process, we might end the session – but we will never sedate your pet. - Then then why did the groomer suggest I sedate Cleo for her next grooming appointment? - If Cleo was truly uncooperative, then why was the session not ended? How much training do grooming salon associates receive? We ensure that each professional pet stylist is qualified to care for your pet. Academy-trained stylists complete over 800 hours of hands-on instruction and safety certification, working with at least 200 dogs of all breeds and sizes. Because we pride ourselves on having the highest safety standards in the industry, PetSmart requires every salon associate to be safety certified annually. - Then why will Petsmart not produce the groomer’s certifications? Any other industry posts it’s certifications publicly. In addition: - Why did none of the other groomers stop Jessica and come to the aid of my dog? - Why did the groomer administer salve to my dog’s wounds without contacting me first? - Why did the manager give me a topical cream to put on Cleo’s wounds, but not suggest I take Cleo to a vet? No matter how “wiggly or nervous” (direct quote from the Petsmart representative) Cleo was at the time, the groomer should never have continued with the appointment. That being said, Cleo is 2 1/2. She has been groomed numerous times; at the same Petsmart location no less. Petsmart… Please don’t blame a helpless dog for the abuse she received at the hands of one of your employees. Take responsibility, be transparent and act with integrity. Petsmart claims, “We love pets.” Really?! I don’t think so. Disgusted, Maria Park, Cleo, Jax and Tank’s mom