Good pet grooming begins with good training and a relationship based on trust. During today’s morning session of the World Pet Association’s Groomer Supershow, the members of the Professional Pet Groomers & Stylists Alliance (PPGSA) announced the results of a year-long initiative to review and establish a set of best practices regarding safety and sanitation that will serve as a foundational building block for industry grooming standards.
Doug Poindexter, president of the World Pet Association, and representatives from International Pet Groomers, Inc., the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists and the National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc. took the stage, flanked by additional association members. They described a protocol that includes standards for animal housing and handling, equipment, and facilities with a focus on safe operations and attentive animal care. “This is a groundbreaking achievement,” said Poindexter. “We applaud all the groups that are working together to develop these important health and safety standards.”
Linda Easton, president of IPG, said, “We believe that providing groomers with education and industry standards about the safe and humane handling of pets can give them the mindset, tools and desire to provide exceptional service to all pets in their care.”
“The integration of a ‘Basic Standard of Pet Care’ into industry guidelines and policies will provide an indelible assurance of the well-being of the pets entrusted to professional pet groomers and stylists,” added ISCC executive director Pam Lauritzen. “It can become a mutually beneficial cornerstone of care.”
Jeffrey Reynolds, executive director of the NDGAA, added “We are proud and excited to be part of this coalition of pet grooming professionals who have come together to share our experience to create these basic standards of pet care. We are passionate about ensuring the safety of all pets while in the care of pet grooming professionals.”
Final language will be released at an upcoming national grooming exposition. Alliance members are committed to incorporating these standards into their own training and/or certification programs, ensuring that groomers and stylists are taught to the same standards irrespective of which program they pursue.
FAQ REGARDING SHARED SAFETY AND SANITATION STANDARDS FOR GROOMING
What is the PPGSA? Who are your members?
The Professional Pet Groomers and Stylists Alliance is an historic collaboration by grooming and styling professionals. It is an effort by groomers for groomers, pet owners and the pets themselves. Members of the Alliance include the three major national pet grooming and styling associations, several state groomer groups, allied trade organizations, major retailers who offer pet grooming and pet care service providers.
How long has PPGSA existed? Why was it created?
PPGSA began with a meeting at SuperZoo 2014 and a desire to “put common sense to paper” regarding the standards of care taught to professional groomers. Its goal is to assure the uniformity of care and safety standards taught by Alliance member organizations through their certification and/or training programs AND to help educate pet parents about the importance of care and safety standards when choosing pet groomers and stylists.
What kinds of standards are we talking about? How were they developed?
Subject areas addressed include animal housing and handling, equipment and products, facilities and safe operations, with a focus on attentive animal care. These standards represent best practices gathered from Alliance members and others throughout the industry. They reflect a commitment to pet care based on professional experience and established practices.
Will the PPGSA be offering its own certification or training program?
No. The PPGSA will not offer a certification or training program, though many of its member organizations do and they are committed to incorporating these standards into their own programs.
The Alliance will continue to meet regularly to review standards to ensure that they reflect current industry best practices.
How do I become a member of the PPGSA? What if I have additional questions?
Any organization or individual interested in joining the Alliance can simply reach out to a current member.
For additional information about the Alliance and its standards of care, please contact Mike Bober at 202-309-3980 or [email protected]. ■
