El Paso, Texas wants to see some changes coming to grooming salons in the city.
The City Council unanimously voted to implement changes to the way that dog groomers operate businesses within the city. After discovering that groomers are not required to be licensed by any federal, state, or local authority, El Paso has decided that it wants to implement certification rules for groomers in the city.
They also plan to require all dog grooming businesses to keep video surveillance cameras on areas where dogs are being groomed. El Paso might become the first city in the United States to mandate that all grooming salons have surveillance cameras.
While some cities or states may have licensing rules, there are no federal requirements about certifications for groomers. There are several organizations that do offer voluntary certification for groomers willing to put in the time, money, and trouble to get certified. If it’s important to you to find a groomer who has been certified, here are some of the titles to look for:
–International Professional Groomers, Inc offers several different certification programs. According to their website:
“The Certified Salon Professional (CSP) program is a certificate for professionals unique to the grooming industry, stressing safety, health, and sanitation for all pet care and grooming professionals, including non-groomers. The Certified Professional Groomer (CPG) is a certificate of safety and Basic Grooming Skills for all professional pet groomers. This Certification demonstrates the skills needed to perform a standard ‘kennel trim’ efficiently and safely. The Certified Advanced Professional Groomer (APG) program is a comprehensive certification which demonstrates your care of senior and toy dogs (more fragile) and double coated dogs.”
They also offer an International Certified Master Groomer (ICMG) certification which requires a written exam as well as demonstrated proficiency in several practical exams on live dogs.
–The National Dog Groomers Association of America, Inc offers a National Certified Master Dog Groomer certification which requires several written tests and 4 practical exams on live dogs.
We’ve heard of numerous groomer-related pet deaths and injuries in cities all over the United States, and now, El Paso wants to pass legislation to hold groomers to certain standards.
Do you think dog groomers should be required to be certified? Do you think they should be required to have surveillance cameras watching every move they make with the dogs they groom? Let us know in the comments below!
(H/T: KFOX14, The Balance)
via Whisker Therapy