Totally Unacceptable Service

It's a good idea to avoid ALL groomers that you cannot sit and monitor
your pet with.

I've worked in several kennels - that also doubled as grooming
locations - in the past.

At each firm, I can recall the groomers getting nasty with the pets
they were trusted to safeguard. I can recall seeing groomers use
leashes as whips, striking animals (slapping, etc.), tormenting them
while they were in cages or carriers, and screaming/yelling at the
pets.

I would NEVER leave my pet with a groomer unattended.

I also would NEVER board my pet at a kennel. Better to find a trusted
neighbor or a friend who can watch your pet when you travel (let them
stay at your house/apt. if necessary).

Cats and dogs can survive quite easily in a carrier for 4.5 hours.


You SHOULD provide them a carrier large enough for them to stand up
and turn around in however.


I know cos we have to put our dog in a carrier when we go out.
Otherwise she'll mostly behave ... except sometimes she attacks the
blinds.

Poor kitty! I feel bad her her. I am sure she was scared which is why
she soiled her carrier.

I have never felt the need to take any of my cats to a groomer. That
is one of the benefits of having a cat - they are self-grooming. If
your cat isn't grooming herself properly, she is probably sick and
needs a visit to the vet, not a groomer.

...the owner should be brushing regularly, if not daily. Once the fur
gets matted, it has to be shaved. I've read that cutting isn't the
answer and is harder on the skin for some reason.

I agree: Poor kitty!

First of all, as pointed out below, longer haired cats have more
serious needs. You should brush the cats to help prevent fur balls.

cos sure, your cat licks itself but ... that fur goes into its
stomach. and if it's long fur - or a lot of fur (as in
spring-shedding-season) it can clump up into a ball that the cat barfs
out.



Plus, professional grooming can help with allergies. Some owners DO
have cats despite allergies. But using a groomer can help alleviate
those allergies. Cos the groomer can help keep dander down, remove
excess fur.


Lastly, claw maintenance. My sis (bless her) took my cat in when I
couldn't keep him anymore - i was going on deployment. so she
originally used the groomer to help keep his nails cut (we both are
against declawing). she doesn't do this anymore, but only because she
found out how easy my cat is about getting his nails cut. I don't
even need to put him in a blanket... I just put him on my lap and clip
the nails.


And hey sometimes people just don't always have time to brush a cat
out. And if they want to pay for it then, that's their choice.



just like with our dog. sure we brush her a lot cos she's shedding
but we're going to need a groomers cos the groomers often have special
vacuum attachments that help remove the excess shedding fur. plus the
one here also does a bath, nails, even works on the glands... for 25
bucks. havent made an appointment yet but that's a pretty sweet deal.

Wow, unless your cat has medical problems or was totally freaked out
by being inthat place (smells and sounds), it should be able to hold
its bowels and bladder much longer than that.

But regardless of that... they do sound awful and if their schedule
got behind, they should have called you to pick up your cat and to
reschedule her.