Hi there! Thank you for your interest in my in-home pet nail trim service! These few questions and guidelines are just to establish some information and ensure that this is the perfect option for your pet(s). Please read through the entirety of this overview to make sure all of our goals and expectations are mutual. My pride is creating a fast & positive experience for your pet for something that is generally viewed as an uncomfortable task for many owners, and pets, while keeping this convenient, fast, and affordable! I am an 11 yr veteran Veterinary Technician with years of experience and love for working with people and their pets! I look forward to sharing that with you!
Because I work by myself in your home without any restraints or vehicle, this service is considered 100% pet parent inclusive. This means that some physical assistance is needed by you as an owner to keep the pet in place and the dog's face away from me while I work. Is this something that you are comfortable with & able to assist with? Or are there any physical limitations? I will be right there to guide you for technique depending on your dog’s temperament but I just have to be sure that this is something that you, or someone else in the home can help provide to make sure the job gets done quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, safely for all involved! Small dogs tend to do excellent with their owners holding them! Yes, right in your lap or arms!
The majority of the cats I work with do exceptionally well with their owners or myself holding them, if they are used to being handled. They also do well on a tabletop/counter with a blanket or towel underneath them with the owner lightly holding or scratching the head/scruff area for distraction. Some cats however need minimal to no restraint depending on personality. Others may require no hands-on from you as an owner, rather in a gentle wrap with me.
I generally will work with your small animal on my own depending on species utilizing a blanket or towel you have handy, whereas others may require some hands-on assistance from you. For birds in particular, keep in mind the towel will likely suffer from some beak destruction!
How has your pet(s) behaved historically for nail trims? The type of pet(s) that I am unable to work with are the ones who have a known history of needing many professional hands due to the dangers of being overly aggressive, flighty, or overly stressed. This goes for both dogs and cats. This is for the physical safety of the owner, myself, and the pet.
A nail trim unfortunately will not be successful if the owner & myself together cannot handle the pet, as this service requires general compliance by the pet and ability for the owner to restrain the pet in a stress-free manner while I trim. Please keep in mind that keeping control of your dog’s head is vital to keeping me safe during the nail trim process. Please also keep in mind that this service is not to serve as a training session for your pets to better expose them to nail trims. Practice begins at home with yourself and a trainer if need be. I unfortunately do not have the time to work on compliance issues with the pet but am always happy to provide tips and tricks for practice at home.
I practice and abide by fear-free, professional, safe, and proper restraint techniques and at no point will I ever ask you to forcefully restrain your pet. Forcing an animal into trimming is not my practice and can come with serious consequences and emotional setbacks for your pet. Sometimes even the most well behaved/tolerant dogs may get spooked by the sound of the clippers, which in turn can create a quick investigation with their mouth/face by instinct. Understand that any dog has the ability to bite under a stressful situation. I do have muzzles for those dogs who may need one or owners who feel more comfortable with their pet wearing one and I can wrap kitties in blankets when needed. As a veterinary professional, I take pet behavior very seriously and am very in-tune with their body language during a nail trim procedure. I appreciate the honesty and transparency when talking about pet behavior so we can make the best decision for your pet.
I expect full disclosure if your pet has a known bite history or aggression issues. Failure to release this information to me will be grounds for immediate dismissal as a client. The trust I build with you as a client needs to be mutual, as safety is always a priority. If a nail trim is unsuccessful due to pet behavior during our scheduled session, which is usually determined within the first couple of seconds of trying, payment will still be expected at the time of service. We may talk about ways to improve the experience for the pet or I may suggest talking with your veterinarian about exploring the use of anti-anxiety medications for your pet for events such as this. A nail trim should be a fast and a smooth procedure for your pet. I encourage the usage of medication prescribed by your veterinarian if your pet is too stressed or experiencing the “fight or flight” response. If your pet is already on any type of medication for a nail trim, and has already been through a trial run of its use, I ask that you also disclose that so we can make sure they are dosed at the right time accordingly as I can work with medicated pets. I understand that each pet is unique but have also learned that the majority thrive in the home environment for a nail trim procedure. I am happy to chat about any specifics!
I do require your pet(s) to be up to date with rabies vaccinations, regardless of lifestyle, to comply with Connecticut state law. If you are unsure of their status or whereabouts of their certificates, I’d be happy to contact your veterinarian for verification.
Please know that I strive to keep my costs low and affordable for my clients and remain competitive with your local groomer or vet, but of course with the added benefit and unique convenience of me coming directly to you!
Please understand that I have a range policy in place that I can service for the reasons of being able to promise my local clients appointments when needed. However, under some circumstances I may be able to accommodate out of range. In these cases, there will be a $10 travel fee in addition to the nail trim fee.
I can accept cash or Venmo as payment. Sorry, no personal checks.
Due to the demand of my services & keeping that beautiful work/family life balance, I am currently available weekday evenings after 4pm. I have a limited amount of slots open per evening, as I operate as a full-time mommy all day! Please understand that for this reason sometimes I may be booked 2-3 weeks out. Please plan accordingly as I can normally not accommodate last-minute appointments. Recurring visits are always a great idea to secure ahead of time in my calendar after our first initial visit.
In the event that you need to reschedule or cancel, please do so as far in advance as possible by directly messaging or calling me. I respect your time and ask that you do the same for me. Because my service is travel-based, my time is valuable to myself and the clients that I strive to be on time for.
I continue to be very covid conscious. I am a fully vaccinated individual, & because I am in and out of many peoples homes, I can absolutely still arrive at your home masked for your comfort if you wish. There is NO requirement for clients, please do what you feel you are most comfortable with, But understanding this will be a close contact process for just a few minutes. Expect my visit to be around 15-20 minutes where I take a few minutes before and after the trim(s) just getting to know your pet(s) and making sure it remains a positive experience!!
You may be wondering what you can do to prep for my visit. For cats, if they are prone to hiding, try to keep them contained in a safe space free of hiding places prior to my arrival such as an office area or bathroom. If a kitty goes hidden deep under furniture upon my arrival, many times, they do not come out and are too far stressed at that point. You can also feel free to put them in their carriers prior to my arrival if they are experts at trying to hide! For dogs, ensure they are wearing a well-fitted collar free of slipping from PRIOR to my arrival. If your dog is particularly hyperactive or nervous, trying to coax them back to the trimming area can be tricky and elevate their stress or excitable behavior because we have no way of physically bringing them to us if they are “naked”! We also have overall better control of your dog(s) when wearing a collar. Pick a well-lit area for us to work. I have supplemental lighting, however, the more light, the better!!
This is a popular service! I currently service 7 towns regularly. Please note, my service area is Canton, CT and surrounding towns within 15 miles, particularly Canton, New Hartford, Barkhamsted, Simsbury, Avon, Burlington, and Granby. I appreciate the respect for boundaries with travel so I can accommodate the most clients as possible within my community. If you live in a bordering town and you’re unsure if you qualify, please provide your address!
