Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? You may find the answer here! These are the questions I get asked the most about appointments, fees, and more.
General
How often should I get my dogs nails trimmed? To maintain a proper nail length, dogs and cats, on average, should have their nails trimmed every 4 to 6 weeks. Overgrown nails can split, tear, and break. Dog nails, in particular, can curl and grow into the pad of the paw causing extreme pain. The open sore this creates is also susceptible to infection.
Do you offer bathing and haircuts? I do not offer bathing services or full haircuts. However, I offer many services that are great for in between full service grooming appointments such as trimming feet, faces, and fannies. All of my available services can be found under the services menu.
Can I book an appointment online? You can now submit appointment requests online! I will try my very best to accomodate the date and time that works best for you.
What are your operating hours? AP&C accepts appointments Monday through Thursday mornings as well as Saturday mornings. I do not schedule appointments on Fridays. All evening and Sunday appointments are currently filled.
Are you accepting new clients? I am accepting new nail trim clients based on referral and location. Depending on my availabiltiy, it could take around 4 weeks to schedule your first appointment. I am also accepting new clients for drop in services. Reservations can be made up to 6 months in advance. This is highly recommended for busier times of the year.
What is the best way to contact you? If possible, please do not call. As much as I would enjoy chatting with my clients by phone, it can be difficult due to driving and taking care of other clients. Please DO NOT leave a voicemail. Text, email, or Facebook messenger are the best and fastest ways to reach me.
Nail Trim Appointments
What do I need to prepare for my first appointment? You will not need anything but your pet for your appointment. I provide everything necessary to complete all the requested services. However, reviewing the "Preparing for your First Appointment" section will help you to know how to get ready for my arrival.
How long is the average appointment? Depending on the number of pets and number of add on services, the length of an appointment can vary. If your pet is cooperative, a basic nail trim can take a little as 10 minutes to complete! On average, you can expect me to be at your house for around 20 to 30 minutes.
Why do you say that appointment times are estimated? I try my very best to be on time as much as possible. There are many factors that can cause me to run late as well as be early such as traffic, road closures, and animal behavior. Animals are unpredictable and some can require more or less time than average.
Can I set up a recurring monthly appointment? Absolutely! Many of my clients prefer to have a set day and time every 4, 5, or 6 weeeks specifically reserved for them. This ensures that you are able to get a time and day that fits into your schedule.
Why must all service appointments include a nail trim? Nail trims are my specialty. I offer other grooming services that can be added on to your appointment. However, I do not schedule appointments for just an add on service. If you choose to make such an appointment, you will still be charged for a nail trim.
Payments
What form of payment do you accept? For nail trim appointments, I accept cash, Paypal, Cash App, and Zelle. Multi day drop in reservation invoices can be paid by credit card, cash, Paypal, Zelle, or Cash App. Cancellation fee invoices can be paid by credit card. Paying by credit card via invoice is subject to a 3.5% processing fee.
Why is mobile grooming more expensive than a salon? Mobile grooming appointments are a premium service that provides you and your pet with the convenience of never having to leave home. My base price nail trims as well as nail grindings are actually comparable to those of a regular salon.
Can I tip my groomer? While tips are not expected or required, they are GREATLY appreciated! As with any service such as a trip to your own hair stylist or manicurist, gratuity is a way to let your groomer know that you are happy with the service you received.
Can you explain more about your cancellation fees? Groomers rely on booked appointments for their financial livelihood as we are not able to rely on vacation/sick/personal time for lost wages. Just a couple of cancellations each week can add up to hundreds of dollars in lost income each month. It is standard practice within the industy to charge a cancellation fee if you cancel within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment. I will usually give a "free pass" for the first time. After that, any invoices sent for cancellation fees must be paid prior to rescheduling any future appointments. Thank you for your cooperation and understanding for this policy.
Pet Care/Drop Ins
Do you offer drop in services year round? Yes! Drop ins, "Pawty pal" visits, and pet care is available 365 days a year.
How far in advance should I make my reservations? Reservations can be made at any time. During the summer months and holiday season, my schedule can fill up fast, so I recommend booking a few months in advance. Need a last minute drop in? Just ask! I can usually accommodate emergency requests.
Why choose an independent provider like AP&C over Rover.com? While some pet sitters on those sites are qualified, not all of them are. They are simply a third party website that charges a certain percentage for use of their platform. Finding a pet sitter on Rover does not guarantee that they are knowledgeable, insured, and capable of handling an emergency in your absence.
I am concerned about leaving my dogs overnight. How does that work? For dogs, I will do my very best to keep the morning visit and evening visit within 12 hours of each other. Almost all dogs do very well as they sleep through the night. In fact, I often wake them up when I open the door in the morning! If you are concerned about your particular situation, please reach out with your specific questions.
Why do I have to have a consultation before my reservation? It is vital that we have a complimentary consultation prior to drop in services. This allows me to meet your pets if I have not already done so and also meet you! In addition, we will talk about important details such as feeding, medication, potty routines, etc. This is the time where we will talk about your pets unique wants and needs so that I can know how to better care for your pet while you are away.
How do I know my home and pets will be safe in the care of AP&C? You will receive daily updates, pictures, and videos and well as progress reports about how much fun your pets are having while you are away. I am fully insured, certified in animal first aid/CPR, a member of PSI, and have my background clearances. I care for both your pet(s) and your home the way I would expect mine to be cared for.