Scooby Groom Terms of Service & Liability Waiver

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Please read this agreement carefully before leaving your pet in our care. By booking, authorizing services, signing this agreement, attending an appointment, dropping off a pet, communicating approval electronically or verbally, or otherwise utilizing any service provided by Scooby Groom, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to all terms, conditions, waivers, policies, and procedures outlined below.

These terms apply to all current and future visits unless otherwise updated in writing by Scooby Groom. Failure to read, request clarification, or physically sign this agreement does not invalidate or waive the applicability of these terms.

1. Grooming Consent & Assumption of Risk

By leaving your pet at Scooby Groom, you acknowledge and agree that:

Grooming involves working with live animals, and despite the highest level of care and professionalism, grooming carries inherent risks, including but not limited to stress, anxiety, unexpected movement, allergic reactions, cuts, nicks, clipper irritation, skin abrasions, hematomas, seizures, respiratory distress, and other unforeseen medical or behavioral reactions.

The owner understands that grooming may expose or aggravate pre-existing, hidden, age-related, or stress-induced medical conditions, including but not limited to skin conditions, arthritis, heart conditions, anxiety-related reactions, respiratory issues, mobility limitations, or neurological conditions.

Scooby Groom, its owners, employees, independent contractors, trainees, assistants, and representatives shall not be held responsible for complications arising from pre-existing, age-related, stress-induced, behavioral, or medical conditions.

As the pet owner, you voluntarily assume all risks associated with grooming services.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Scooby Groom, its owners, employees, independent contractors, trainees, assistants, and representatives shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, emotional, or punitive damages arising from grooming services, including but not limited to veterinary expenses, emotional distress, future medical complications, loss of use, or related financial losses.

Any liability arising from proven negligence shall be strictly limited to the total amount paid for the grooming service provided during the visit in question.

2. Matting, Dematting & Shaving Authorization

Severely matted pets are at increased risk of skin irritation, bruising, cuts, hematomas, hidden skin conditions, and discomfort during grooming.

By signing this agreement, you acknowledge and agree that:

Dematting services will only be performed if considered safe and humane by our grooming team and will not exceed one hour.

An additional dematting fee of $1.50 per minute applies.

For severe matting, shaving may be the only humane and safe option. In such cases, Scooby Groom reserves the right to proceed according to professional judgment and in the best interest of the pet.

The owner understands that after shaving a matted coat, previously hidden skin irritations, redness, cuts, sores, hematomas, itchiness, behavioral changes, or coat texture changes may become visible.

If the pet becomes aggressive, highly stressed, or unsafe during the process, an additional handling fee of $30 to $50 may apply depending on severity and time required.

Scooby Groom will make reasonable efforts to contact the owner regarding additional charges or major grooming adjustments. However, if the owner cannot be reached, the owner authorizes Scooby Groom to proceed in the manner considered safest and most humane for the pet.

3. Behavioral Challenges & Special Handling Fees

Some pets may require specialized handling due to anxiety, fear, aggression, age, medical conditions, or behavioral challenges.

In such cases:

Additional handling fees ranging from $40 to $50 may apply depending on the level of care, staffing, time, and safety measures required.

Scooby Groom reserves the right to stop, modify, refuse, or discontinue grooming services at any time if a pet becomes unsafe, excessively stressed, aggressive, medically unstable, or otherwise unmanageable.

If grooming services are stopped prior to completion, partial service charges will still apply based on time spent and work completed.

If a pet exhibits excessive bowel movements, urination, spraying, or requires additional sanitation procedures, extra cleaning and re-bathing charges may apply.

Pets found with fleas, ticks, or external parasites may automatically receive flea/tick treatment and sanitation procedures at the owner’s expense. Additional sanitation or contamination control fees may apply when necessary to protect the salon environment and other pets.

4. Grooming Expectations & Service Adjustments

The owner understands and agrees that:

Reference photos are used for general inspiration only and do not guarantee identical grooming results.

Final grooming results may vary depending on coat condition, coat type, matting level, pet behavior, thickness of coat, maintenance history, tolerance level, humane handling limitations, and professional safety considerations.

Scooby Groom reserves the right to make final grooming decisions in the best interest of the pet’s safety, comfort, health, and welfare.

Every pet receives a sanitary trim as part of the grooming service unless otherwise discussed. While uncommon, temporary irritation may occur, and it is the owner’s responsibility to monitor excessive licking or scratching afterward.

De-shedding treatments help reduce shedding but do not eliminate shedding completely.

We do not guarantee exact completion times as each pet’s needs vary. Attempts to rush the grooming process may compromise safety and quality. Scooby Groom reserves the right to terminate or adjust services if necessary, and full service charges may still apply.

If the owner is dissatisfied with the haircut or grooming result, Scooby Groom must be notified within 24 hours of the appointment. Reasonable adjustments may be offered at management discretion; however, refunds are not provided.

5. Pickup Policy & Late Fees

Owners are required to pick up their pets within 35 minutes of notification that grooming services are complete.

A text message, phone call, or other communication may be used to notify the owner. It is the owner’s responsibility to monitor communications and remain available during the appointment.

If a pet remains beyond the pickup window, daycare, boarding, handling, or late pickup fees may apply.

6. Appointment Policies

Cancellations or rescheduling requests must be made at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled appointment through the approved booking system or by contacting Scooby Groom directly.

No-shows and same-day cancellations will incur a $40 cancellation fee.

Final pricing may vary depending on the pet’s behavior, coat condition, matting severity, handling requirements, lateness, additional services requested, or unforeseen circumstances identified during grooming.

7. Health & Veterinary Emergency Authorization

Pets are only accepted for grooming if they are reasonably healthy and fit for the grooming process.

Owners acknowledge that elderly pets, medically fragile pets, brachycephalic breeds, anxious pets, and pets with underlying health conditions may face elevated grooming risks.

Rabies vaccinations must be current unless otherwise discussed and approved by management.

In the event of a medical emergency, injury, illness, or health concern while the pet is in our care, the owner authorizes Scooby Groom to seek veterinary treatment deemed reasonably necessary for the pet’s safety and wellbeing.

The owner authorizes Scooby Groom to transport the pet to a veterinary clinic of our choosing if necessary.

All veterinary costs, transportation costs, emergency handling costs, medications, treatments, and related expenses shall be the sole responsibility of the owner.

8. Social Media, Photography & Recording Policy

For safety, quality control, training, and promotional purposes, grooming sessions may be photographed, recorded, or monitored.

Before-and-after photos or videos of pets may be used on social media, websites, advertisements, educational content, or other marketing materials.

If the owner does not wish for their pet to appear in photos or videos, they must notify Scooby Groom in writing at check-in prior to the grooming session.

9. Right to Refuse Service

Scooby Groom reserves the right to refuse, decline, modify, or discontinue services at any time if:

A pet’s behavior creates a safety concern,

A pet’s medical condition presents unreasonable risk,

The pet cannot be groomed humanely or safely,

The owner behaves in an abusive, threatening, inappropriate, or disrespectful manner toward staff,

Or if any condition interferes with the safe operation of the salon.

10. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the applicable laws of Canada.

Any dispute arising from services provided by Scooby Groom shall be resolved exclusively within Ontario, Canada.

Owner Acknowledgment & Consent

I acknowledge that I have carefully read, fully understood, and voluntarily agreed to all terms, policies, waivers, and conditions stated in this agreement.

I understand the risks associated with grooming services and authorize Scooby Groom to provide grooming services for my pet under the terms outlined above.

I release Scooby Groom, its owners, employees, independent contractors, trainees, assistants, and representatives from liability beyond what is expressly stated in this agreement.