There’s a saying that goes “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take care of the book and put in the extra effort to maintain its cover. For dogs, grooming carries more importance than most people realize. It can be easy to think that something like grooming is a luxury, but in reality, it is a necessity. So much so in fact that many dogs in shelters and pet shops rely on grooming to find their forever homes with loving families. Shelter and pet shop grooming has a heavy influence over pet adoption rates, and here’s why.

Grooming and Adoption

We’re brought up in a society that constantly judges books by their covers. It’s no different with grooming. Good grooming is a way of putting your best foot forward. After all, when you have something like a job interview, you prepare by showering, shaving, putting on your nicest suit and styling your hair with gel. The way you look directly influences how you present yourself, which then influences how others perceive you.

Dogs in shelters and pet shops undergo a similar sort of ritual. Meeting a potential new family is a dog’s ultimate job interview, so it’s imperative that the dog looks (and feels) his absolute best.

Grooming for Confidence

You’d be very surprised at how shelter and pet shop grooming can help the dogs open up to prospective new adopters. Dogs are naturally very sweet creatures, but this might not show through right away if they’re hidden under dirt, matted fur, and unattractive odors. Have you ever noticed that the dogs that are severely under-groomed are usually the ones that try to hide when visitors come? When all of that muck is stripped away, though, dogs are free to be as mobile and as playful as they can be when greeted by new, friendly faces. It’s amazing what a good bath, some clippers and lots of belly rubs can do.

The Importance of Good Shelter and Pet Shop Grooming

Every year, roughly 8 million animals are brought to shelters and sometimes transferred to pet shops. Of the dogs, only about half of them receive adequate enough grooming to be presentable for adoption. The dogs that get adopted are extremely lucky, and not just because they’ve found a forever home.

The animals that are left matted and filthy might not ever get adopted. In fact, some of them might not even live long enough to receive proper grooming. Many animal shelters unfortunately still practice euthanasia in an effort to control the ever-growing pet population. The reality is, good grooming in shelters could be the difference between life and death for some dogs. But there are ways you can help. Here are some organizations that help raise awareness for the importance of good shelter and pet shop grooming.

One Picture Saves a Life

Many people make the mistake of trying to market dogs for adoption when they’re still messy, disoriented and frightened. However, this organization assists pet shops and shelters take photos of their animals after grooming. A variety of sponsors donate supplies to One Picture Saves a Life, and people ranging from foster parents to trainee groomers come forward to volunteer.

The Dirty Dogs Contest

This annual internet canine beauty pageant features some of the most truly outstanding transformations ever. Not only does the contest raise awareness about the importance of shelter and pet shop grooming, but it also raises money for participants. The first, second and third place pooches with the most votes from the general public win a total of  $5,000, $2,000, and $1,000 respectively for their shops or shelters.

Wahl and Greater Good Donations

The Wahl Clipper Corporation, one of the most popular grooming products supply companies in the world, has partnered with the Greater Good Foundation to help dogs everywhere get the grooming they need to put their best paw forward for adoption. For years, Wahl and Greater Good have been providing grooming products and services to shelters and pet shops nationwide to help dogs in need find their forever homes. So far, their supplies, including special dog shampoos, have helped more than 70,000 dogs receive adoption-ready grooming.

Contribute to Shelter and Pet Shop Grooming

The organizations above are great ones to get involved in to help dogs get adoption-ready. But, of course, the first step is learning all there is to know about the practice of pet grooming. At Merryfield Academy, our courses will prepare you for a promising career in the field of pet cosmetology. For more information, please contact us here or call us at (954) 771-4030.