What to expect at your appointment
We’re so happy you’re bringing your pet to be groomed! Here’s an overview of what you can expect from your grooming appointment.
Scheduling
We are scheduling for all services currently, no walk-ins, so please call to set up an appointment! Call (207) 785-4663 to speak with the receptionist or leave a message for them to return your call as soon as they’re able.
Drop-off
You’ll want to arrive close to your scheduled appointment drop-off time. A little early is fine. If you’re going to be at all late, a call is greatly appreciated so we can plan appropriately. Please keep in mind, if you’re more than 15 minutes past your appointment time, we may not be able to accommodate your appointment as scheduled.
When you arrive, you can come into the shop with your pet. Remember a leash is required! If you have a cat, please bring and keep them in an appropriate carrier. At this time, masks are still required for all humans. If you see that there are other pets in the lobby, it’s a good idea to wait outside until the lobby is clear, to avoid any animal confrontations. Remember, just because your pet is the best does not mean another animal will be! Let’s keep all pets and people safe!
When you’re in the lobby, the receptionist will ask you about what you’ll want for the groom that day and may call the groomer to consult with you. If you rush out the door without having this conversation, there’s potential for some miscommunication, and you may not get the cut you were expecting!
It can be really difficult to leave our furry friends with someone else, even just for a portion of the day! But Home Away Pet Grooming strives to be a team you can trust to care for your pet and give them a great grooming experience. Many pets will exhibit signs of anxiety and fear as you’re leaving, such as trembling, pacing, whining, and panting, but rest assured, they will settle down after you leave. It’s best to leave without much fuss regarding this. Your pet will adapt to the environment, their groom will be underway, and you’ll be back before they know it to bring them home, fresh and clean and looking amazing!
The receptionist will give you a pick-up time at drop-off. Remember, if you need a specific pick-up time, this needs to be requested by phone BEFORE your appointment date. When you arrive, the day is already set, so your pick-up time is the time we will have them done, unless we call you to say otherwise. We block out four hours for every appointment, though if you’re a regular customer, you’ll likely have experienced that we don’t always need that whole four hours. We block out that long to ensure time for anything unforeseen, like extra brushing or bathing needing to be done. Quality work takes time – don’t rush your groomers! They’ll get your pet looking great as fast as they can.
Grooming
For our kitty customers, the groomer will take the cat straight back and get to work. We schedule kitties in the morning so there are fewer dogs to contend with, and the kitties get the full focus while they’re here. Cat grooms generally take about 10-20 minutes, depending on what needs to be done. The groomer has an assistant hold the cat during the groom, which is why they’re able to work so quickly and safely. First the groomer will trim kitty’s nails, then get to work either shaving or combing out kitty’s fur. They’ll bring the cat back out in their carrier when finished, and you’re all set to pay and leave! We do offer cat baths for cats who are tolerant for the procedure. If your cat is having a bath, we will request to keep them for a few hours to give them time to dry.
After drop-off, your dog will be settled into a crate or kennel, depending on their size, and wait to be taken back for a bath. We keep dogs separated throughout the process, even moving them between areas of the shop. Safety first!
After their bath, they’re settled in again to dry, and then wait their turn to be prepped for grooming. They’ll have their fur brushed out so that a fine-toothed comb can slide through, which is key for being able to groom the dog. Once on the table with the groomer, they will have their nails trimmed and filed and their fur cut and styled to your specifications. When finished, the receptionist will call or send you a text to alert you that your pet is ready for pick-up!
Pick-Up
If you’re not able to arrive at the pick-up time you were given at drop-off, it’s generally okay. Your pet will be safe with us until you arrive! Just let us know when you expect to get here to pick them up. However, please remember that we do close at 4pm. If you’re not back by 4pm, your dog will go into a private kennel, and the shop will be closed until you call the number provided for one of our staff to come back and check you out. You will also be charged a late pick-up fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where are you located?
Right on Route 17 in Union! Between the tractor places and the transfer station. View our location on Google Maps>
When are you open?
We’re open Tuesday through Saturday, 8am to 4pm. We do take a few Saturdays off for holidays and are closed the weekend of Thanksgiving and the week after Christmas.
Are you taking new clients?
At the moment, we are not taking new Giant clients (generally over 75 lbs., but also breed-dependent. All standard poodles, doodles, and collies over 65lbs are now categorized as Giant due to the amount of work required for these breeds. Please keep in mind that the groomer has final determination regarding the breed size and coat type. They are billing for the effort they are putting in.) We are also not taking new clients requiring hand stripping.
All that being said, we are accepting other new clients. We are currently booking out about 6-8 weeks ahead, so any new clients will be scheduled a bit further out. Book now!
Do you groom cats?
We do groom cats! We trim nails and we offer comb outs, comb outs with a trim, or a full cut all over, depending on how matted kitty is. We are also able to bathe kitties – the groomer prefers to attempt to groom the cat first to see if they might tolerate being held for a bath.
Are any vaccinations required?
Current rabies vaccinations are required for all pets. We recommend/prefer that dogs also have a Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination.
How long does an appointment take?
Nail trims only take a few minutes. Sometimes you may have to wait your turn for a few, but it generally only takes about 5-10 minutes to get nails done.
Cat grooms take between 10-30 minutes, depending on how much needs to be done. We will generally ask you to wait here at the shop until they’re ready. If the cat is having a bath, we will ask to keep them for 2-3 hours to allow time for drying.
We block out 4 hours for each dog groom/bath. This is to allow time for breaks for the dog between different steps of the process and also in case extra bathing or brushing is required. It doesn’t always take us the full 4 hours, and we will text or call if your dog is ready ahead of schedule.
How often should I bring my pet in for grooming?
This really depends on the breed, coat type, and desired length, but regular appointments are recommended for every pet! We generally recommend booking at 4-, 6-, 8-, or 12-week intervals, but some pets do require more or less than that. Consult with your groomer about the recommended frequency for your pet’s grooming.
Should I book my appointments ahead?
Home Away Pet Grooming is an in-demand business. At any given time, we are booking out nearly two months in advance, so it’s wise to book your appointments ahead of time. While this can be difficult with erratic schedules, booking your appointments ahead means that you will be guaranteed a grooming spot. As the schedule fills, those who aren’t able to get in right away will be placed on a wait list and called as appointments open up. As our summer clients arrive, our schedule fills up even quicker, so be sure to book your pet’s appointments ahead, or you may miss out! Ask about booking your regular appointments all the way through the year to ensure you get the times and days you are hoping for.
Should I leave a tip?
Grooming is a skilled service, much like hairdressing – while a tip is not required, it is greatly appreciated by the team who are using their skills to make your pet look and feel fantastic. Please consider tipping your grooming team!
Will there be extra charges?
We will not ever add upgrades like the spa treatment to your bill without asking first, but extra brushing or bathing may be required, which would incur extra charges. 15 minutes of regular brushing is included in every grooming appointment, so any more brushing than that would be billed per minute. Sometimes dogs need to be bathed 3 or even 4 times to get completely clean, especially if they are overdue for an appointment. In that instance, we would charge for an extra bath. If there are fleas present on your pet, it will require a flea bath, or if your dog has been skunked, we have a specific bath treatment for that, both of which have separate charges.
I just got a new puppy! When can they be groomed?
We love when new puppies come to visit! You’ll want to make sure your puppy has had all of their first vaccinations before coming in for the first time. We require a rabies vaccination and recommend/prefer dogs have their Bordetella (kennel cough) vaccination. The first visit will be a Puppy 101 visit, which will introduce your puppy to the process of being bathed and groomed.
Should my dog’s anal glands be checked?
A highly debated issue amongst pet owners, groomers and vets, anal gland expression is sometimes a necessary service that we can provide. If your vet has recommended expression or if you’ve noticed excessive scooting or licking around your dog’s bum area, we can gently check to see if expression is needed. We only perform external expression and will only express if it comes out easily. If the dog reacts negatively to the procedure because of pain or discomfort, or if the glands won’t express easily, we will refer your pet to your vet to have the procedure done. We do not perform anal gland expression unless you request it.