Client Agreement & Policies

Your pets are important to us!

Please read all before signing!

Scheduling & Cancellations:

We require 24 hour notice for canceling appointments due to the difficulty of filling last minute cancellations. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice will incur a 20% cancellation fee. Fees must be paid prior to rebooking an appointment. We understand that emergencies happen, but if they should happen when your pup has a scheduled appointment, please notify us as soon as you can to avoid a fee.

Payment:

We accept forms of payment including cash, check, and credit card. If a check is returned for NSF (Non Sufficient Funds) there will be an additional fee of $20 in addition to any bank charges that are also applied. Once notified, all NSF checks will have 5 days to make payment before turning over to a collection agency. All services must be paid for in full at the time of service. If we do not receive payment at the time of service, an additional charge of $15 per pet late fee will be added to your bill. You will have 5 days to pay the bill before being turned over to a collection agency. We do not accept partial payments.

Credit card users will incur a transaction fee of 2.9% + 30 cents per transaction in addition to the full service bill and applicable NJ sales tax.

Behavior Issues:

By agreeing to our policies the pet owner agrees that they have disclosed any past aggression issues with their pet. Pet owners are responsible for any damage inflicted by their pet to either the groomer or the Salon. Injuries from a dog bite are reported to Animal Control Services. The owner of the pet is financially responsible for any and all medical bills and treatment if the groomer is injured by their pet, or if a pet damages any equipment or the Salon itself. Any aggressive pet will be returned to their owner whether the groom is complete or not and payment will be due in full.

Matted pups:

Because the safety and comfort of your pup is our priority, we do not offer extensive dematting. Minor dematting, if it can be done safely. All pups with moderate to severe matting will have the matting removed in the safest way possible and this may include shaving off all of your pup’s hair. Please note that due to the time, care, and effort required to safely remove matting (even when shaved off), there will be additional costs involved. Removing matting can expose pre-existing health/skin conditions for which Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC cannot be held liable for cuts, nicks, clipper or skin irritation, or hematomas due to matting. If you are present when matting is found, you will be asked to fill out and sign our “Consent to Remove Matting” form. If you are not present, matting will only be removed once we receive verbal or written consent. If we do not receive consent, grooming will be discontinued and you will be asked to reschedule. We do take matting seriously and always practice “humanity before vanity”.

Fleas:

PETS FOUND WITH FLEAS MUST BE TREATED AT HOME. We do not take on dogs with known fleas unless properly treated at home first. We can make a special appointment after treatment which would be the last of the day to avoid spreading and allow ample cleaning. As we cannot risk spreading fleas and ticks to other clients, all pups that are found to have live fleas or ticks can be treated with a shampoo that contains pesticides. Due to the additional time involved with removing parasites from both your pets and the Salon, a $35 minimum additional charge will apply. This charge may increase depending on the level of infestation. A $75 minimum charge will apply if owner neglects to mention parasite infestation prior to booking due to the fact that we will have to cancel the next client’s appointment in order to de-bug the Salon. It is the owner’s responsibility to check their pet for fleas and ticks prior to grooming as well as have prevention in place.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

It is the pet owner’s responsibility to provide a healthy & groomable pet. Any known preexisting conditions must be disclosed prior to grooming. We do NOT groom pets with any seizure or heart condition/murmur related history that are unmedicated. We will make every effort to safely groom your pet. Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC is held harmless from damages, loss, or claims arising from any known or unknown pre-existing condition of my pet.

VACCINATIONS

By agreeing to our policies you are agreeing to keep your pet’s rabies vaccinations current (New Jersey State Law requires rabies vaccinations to be in good standing) and are willing to provide paperwork when requested. A valid copy of your pets rabies certificate must be provided prior to your pets first appointment and therefore after when it expires. Although we sanitize in between every pet, Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC is not liable for any infectious conditions such as kennel cough, parvo virus, or canine influenza and we fully suggest your pets be up to date on these vaccinations as well.

Avoiding Accidents:

We do our best to ensure that our strict safety procedures are followed to the letter, but occasionally accidents will happen. Dogs are living animals that do not speak the same language as us, and sometimes they wiggle beyond our control. Occasionally, nicks, scrapes, and “quicking” of the nail will happen. If it does, first aid will be applied and you will be notified. If you feel that your pup needs to be looked at by a vet for an injury that occurred in our care, please inform us and we will notify our insurance company right away. We have insurance for this very important reason- to make sure your pup is taken care of. To minimize risk of injury to your pup, we remove as many distractions as possible from our grooming environment. Because of the risk of distraction, and therefore injury, we cannot have anyone present while your pup is being groomed. Please do not knock, peek in windows, call for your pup, or otherwise distract your pup during grooming as this greatly increases the risk of injury. If your dog becomes injured as a result of you distracting them, we cannot be held liable for any injury that is incurred.

Entering & Exiting the Salon:

We are not responsible for any damage to oneself or their pet when entering or exiting the Salon. You, as the pet owner, accept any risks and responsibility to both yourself and your pet when entering and exiting the Salon. Please utilize our double-door airlock exit to prepare your pets. Check that all collars and leashes are safe and effective prior to entering and exiting. Owners may not stay in the Salon for the duration of the groom.

Emergencies:

We hope your pups grooming will only be positive, but occasionally medical issues arise during grooming. In the event of an emergency you will be contacted and, if applicable, your pup will be transported to the closest vet hospital.

I authorize Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC to act as my agent in the event of an emergency. If veterinary services, boarding services, or transportation services are required I agree to pay any and all costs incurred.

Photos: You agree for your pet’s picture or video to be taken and shared on public social media platforms by Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC.

Pet Owner Agreement:

I agree that if I have any issue with my pet’s groom or condition to contact Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC within 24 hours of my pet’s service. Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC reserves the right to refuse, cancel or reschedule a grooming service. Every effort will be made to reschedule a pet in a timely manner barring schedule availability. I have read and understand my obligations as written in this agreement for the services of pet styling by Ruff Riders Grooming, LLC.

Pets Name(s): ________________________________________________________________________________

Owner’s Full Name: ________________________________________________________________________________

Veterinarian: ________________________________________________________________________________

Signature of Owner: ___________________________________________________

Date: ________________