Our Policies
By requesting or booking an appointment and signing any of the release forms, you are acknowledging that you have read, understood and accepted all policies listed below, as well as in any of the forms you have signed.
Please keep in mind that we do not accept pets over 80 pounds in weight.
Our mission here at Prancing Paws is to care for each pet as if our own. Not only do we want to send your furry companion home sparkly clean and fresh, but also to ensure they were comfortable and happy while with us. Regular grooming is a necessity for most dogs, so our goal is to make that process as easy as possible. We ask that when you are filling out any of the forms, you are truthful about any and all information, including weight, personality, medical, and behavioral issues. Although we do not discriminate, and are willing to work with any pet, knowing these details allows our stylists to properly accommodate to your pet’s individual needs and keep the grooming process as stress-free as possible.
Necessary Paperwork & Pet Info
Per Massachusetts Law, the safety of your pets, and our stylists, we require proof of the Rabies, Distemper and Kennel Cough (CIRDC) vaccines. We do not accept appointments for pets who have received vaccinations within the last 24 hours, or pets who’s vaccines expire that day. If your pet is not able to receive any of these vaccines due to medical complications or otherwise, you must present us with a signed letter from your veterinarian excusing your pet from the vaccination.
Required Vaccines
We understand that sometimes grooming can get away from us. It’s completely normal for your pet to have a few knots and tangles from being a little overdue, and that is what we are here for! Keeping your furry family members pampered and comfortable is our number one priority. That being said, it is also our duty to be upfront about what we may find on your pet during an appointment. Whether is just a few tangles, or complete matting, we will discuss the haircut prior to stepping away with your pet. At the time of your appointment, if we notice any matting on your pet that we believe cannot be brushed out, it is our duty as care specialists to remove the matting as quickly as possible. This may result in a shaved, or much shorter haircut than hoped for. If that issue arises, you will be presented with a Matting Release Form, that outlines the risks, to which you must sign before the appointment can continue.
All double coated maintenance & shave information can be found here.
Matted Pet & Double Coat Shave Policies
When our stylists do their initial hands-on assessment of your pet, any pests will be brought up immediately if they are noticed on your pet. If fleas or lice are present in your dogs hair/fur, we will suggest doing a specialized bath to eliminate them. This will result in a $15 upcharge for the extra bathing time and special shampoo we use for them. If you decline this service, we will not be able to bring your pet into the salon until they are completely pest-free. Although we are kennel free, fleas are hardy pests and can travel very far distances-even if the pets are 10ft+ apart.
For removing fleas and ticks from your pet, we use BioGroom’s Natural Flea and Tick Shampoo. If your pet has an allergy or reaction to the shampoo or any ingredients of said product, please immediately take your pet to the veterinarian and then contact us directly via email or phone. If you fail to or refuse to provide necessary information regarding allergies to any product(s), we are not responsible for the loss of a pet, or the pets reaction to said product.
For more information on how to get fleas in your home under control, visit the EPA’s website through this link.
https://www.epa.gov/pets/controlling-fleas-and-ticks-around-your-home
Flea and Pest Policy
You and your pets are important to us and without you, this would not be possible. However, our stylists time and talent are also an important aspect to providing these top-notch services. Due to being kennel free and one on one with every pet, our cancellation and late policies may seem a bit more strict than a typical salon. This list below outlines our policies on cancellation, no-show and/or late fees.
Failure to sign and/or send back the Client Release Form, up to date vaccinations and properly completed pet information at least 48 hours before your appointment will result in a cancellation of your appointment.
Failure or refusal to sign the Matted Pet Release Form will result in immediate end to your appointment. This will result in a 50% charge of the cancelled service before being able to rebook.
Signs of unexpected pests (fleas/lice/etc.) that you are not willing to have treated during the appointment will result in immediate end to services. This will result in up to a 50% charge of the booked service to compensate the stylist.
Cancellations made before the 24 hour mark, or any ‘first-offense’ cancellation made within 24 hours of your pet’s appointment will be marked as a no-show, but will not be held against you. After one or more no-shows, you may be subjected to pay up to 50% of the cancelled service and/or required to put down a 50% deposit of any future appointments. If this issue is reoccurring, we reserve the right to refuse any future services.
Cancellation due to pet or personal emergencies will not be charged depending on the nature of the issue.
Failure to confirm your appointment within 12 hours, cancellation within 24 hours, or showing up 15 minutes past appointment time are considered no-shows. In order to compensate our stylist for their time: after three no-shows, we will require a 100% deposit for all future services at the time of booking, or you may be fired as a client.
Failure to arrive within 15 minutes of your appointment time will result in appointment cancellation and a charge of 50% of the service to the card on file. If you arrive within 15 minutes, we will implement a late fee charge up to $1 per minute you are late.
We understand that life happens; we have all been there and done that. We only ask that if the situation allows, to give our stylist the proper “heads up!” that you may be late or unable to follow through with the appointment.
Due to demand and the nature of our kennel-free facilities, after one or multiple of these listed offenses, we may decide that you and your pet are not a good fit for Prancing Paws Pet Pawlor.
Cancellation & Late Fee Policies
If you have not yet looked at our Services & Pricing Page, you can do so by clicking here. Please be sure to review our prices before booking an appointment so that the total of your pet’s groom is not a surprise to you at pick up. Understandably so, you may ask why we are priced much higher than a typical salon or corporation. It is simply because although you may not think about it, dog grooming is a very strenuous and skill based career. Not only are we using top-shelf products on your pet, but our stylists spend 1-2+ hours with each dog- physically handling them, scrubbing clean & brushing out their entire body, clipping their nails & coat, etc. Not only is it physically demanding, but mentally they need to be present 100% of the time or they risk an injury to either themselves or the pet. Along with that, you get the luxury of bringing them to a kennel-free salon, meaning that when your pet is here, they are with the stylist from drop off to pick up & are not ‘waiting their turn’ in a crate. Our stylists have gained hundreds, if not thousands of hours of experience before they came to Prancing Paws, and the quality they produce speaks volumes. We ask that when you drop $125 on Fluffy’s appointment, you think about it this way: you aren’t just getting him a groom, you are getting him a luxury spa day, pedicure, preventative dental care, ear care, and full body haircutting with passionate, talented, and hardworking stylists that love what they do & do what they love.
General Pricing Policy
All Policies are enforced for every client, every time. Excluding first time offenses, there are no exceptions.
