Animal abuse awareness is a critical issue that deserves our attention year-round, especially during Cruelty Prevention Month. As pet owners, it’s essential to understand the warning signs of cruelty at pet grooming facilities and learn how to protect our beloved animals from harm. Whether you’re taking your dog to a professional groomer for a routine cut or dropping off your pet for an extended stay, there are steps you can take to prevent potential abuse.
In this article, we’ll explore how to raise animal abuse awareness, recognize signs of neglect, and ensure your pets receive the humane care they deserve.
This story is a condensed excerpt from the original version published on The Huffington Post
The Dark Side of Animal Grooming: My Journey from Innocence to Horror
Since I was a child, I’ve always felt a deep connection with animals. At just seven years old, I began volunteering at a local animal shelter. I was eager to help in any way I could, and my love for animals only grew stronger as I worked alongside them.
Still, to this day, I remember one kitten vividly—a little white, fluffy creature with a pink face and a severe case of ringworm. I was instructed to handle her gently and with gloves, but I was encouraged to shower her with attention.
Holding that fragile kitten in my arms, I could never have imagined the horrors I would later witness—abuse, neglect, and even murder of animals at the hands of those entrusted with their care.
Had I known what would come next, this experience would have been the end of my career working with animals but as most people are, I was in the dark about what takes place behind the scenes in animal care facilities.
Getting Paid to Work with Animals Was Exciting
My first paying job working with animals was at a pet store that sold puppies and kittens. At the time, I was just excited to get paid to play with dogs, blissfully unaware of the cruelty behind the scenes.
Looking back, I know better—never buy a pet from a store.
Although the abuse didn’t happen there, buying from pet stores supports a system where animal welfare is often secondary to profit.
It was my next job, as a bather at a local groomer in Joliet, where I truly came face-to-face with the ugly reality of animal abuse.
At first, it seemed perfect. I was paid good money, and I loved my job. My duties included bathing, blow-drying, and clipping nails. My boss even reminded me of my parents, who lived far away, making me feel comfortable. But that comfort shattered when I discovered what was really happening behind closed doors.
Animal Abuse at the Groomers
The groomers—three of the four employees, including the owner—were regularly beating, choking, and abusing the animals they groomed. At first, I was oblivious, tucked away in the back as a bather. But once I saw the abuse, there was no going back. And the violence escalated as if it were a twisted, open secret.
When I expressed my horror to the other staff in the back room and even to customers, no one seemed to believe me. My attempts to stop the abuse were met with indifference, even hostility. I knew my job was on the line, but staying silent wasn’t an option.
I contacted animal control and the Illinois Department of Agriculture, hoping they’d intervene. After numerous messages and pleas, someone finally showed up. I told him about dogs being beaten with hairbrushes, cats being strangled by grooming nooses, and groomers screaming at terrified animals.
I urged him to make unannounced visits, to catch them in the act. He assured me that something would be done.
But nothing was done.
The inspector never came back. I kept speaking out, telling anyone who would listen. But no one cared enough to act. Eventually, I had to leave. If I didn’t, I feared I’d end up attacking my coworkers—not just for the animals’ sake but for my own sanity.
Sadly, this was just the beginning of the horrors I’d see in the animal care industry. A few years later, I started working as a vet tech at a local animal hospital. Ironically, some of the animals I treated were victims of the same groomers I had reported.
One day, a woman rushed in, holding her Yorkie, covered in blood and missing an ear. The groomer had accidentally cut it off during a shave. I rushed the poor dog into the operating room for immediate care. But what haunts me most isn’t the injury—it’s what happened after.
The woman, while waiting for the dog’s surgery, got on the phone with the grooming shop. She was arranging to have her dog’s haircut finished that same afternoon. She had a party that evening, and it was more important to her that her dog looked good than the fact that he had just lost an ear.
This incident highlights a disturbing trend in the pet industry. As consumers, we have a responsibility to demand higher standards of care for our pets. Let’s work together to ensure that such horrific accidents never happen again.
Common Signs of Animal Abuse at Groomers
Unfortunately, cases of cruelty at grooming facilities can happen. Animal abuse prevention starts with humane education and knowing how to identify mistreatment.
Here are some common signs that your pet may be experiencing abuse at a grooming facility:
- Unexplained injuries like cuts, burns, or bruises
- Extreme fear or anxiety when returning to the groomer
- Sudden changes in behavior, such as aggression or withdrawal
- Visible signs of neglect, like matted fur or dirty conditions
- Complaints from groomers, behavior complaints that are unlike your pet
If your pet shows any of these signs, it’s important to take immediate action and report the incident to the appropriate authorities, such as the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) or local law enforcement.
How to Find a Reputable Groomer
Ensuring your pet’s safety starts with choosing a groomer who values humane care and abides by cruelty prevention laws. Here’s how to find a groomer you can trust:
- Research the facility: Read online reviews and ask other pet owners about their experiences.
- Visit the facility: Check for cleanliness, observe how staff interacts with animals, and look for proper certifications.
- Ask questions: Inquire about their handling methods, whether they are trained in veterinary care, and what precautions they take to avoid stressing animals.
- Monitor your pet’s behavior: Pay close attention to how your pet reacts before and after grooming appointments.
During Cruelty Prevention Month, many organizations like the Humane Society and ASPCA focus on educating the public about animal abuse prevention. They also provide resources to help you find reputable services for your pets.
What to Do if You Suspect Animal Abuse
If you suspect that your pet has been abused or neglected by a groomer, you should take immediate action to protect your animal and raise animal abuse awareness in your community.
- Document evidence: Take photos of any injuries or concerning behaviors. This information may be useful if you need to file a report.
- Seek veterinary care: A veterinarian can assess any physical or emotional damage and provide documentation.
- Report the incident: Contact local law enforcement or an organization like the ASPCA to investigate the facility.
- Spread awareness: Share your experience on social media or through community outreach efforts. Raising animal abuse awareness can prevent future cases of cruelty.
The Role of Animal Abuse Awareness in Cruelty Prevention
Raising animal abuse awareness is crucial in the fight against cruelty. Education, enforcement, and action all play a role in preventing future abuse. As responsible pet owners, we can make a difference by staying informed, supporting humane education efforts, and contributing to organizations that protect animals from cruelty.
How You Can Make a Difference
Here are a few ways you can contribute to animal abuse awareness and cruelty prevention:
- Donate to organizations that provide essential services to abused animals, such as humane societies and rescue shelters.
- Volunteer your time at animal shelters or community outreach programs.
- Raise awareness through social media by sharing articles, stories, and resources related to animal abuse prevention.
- Participate in events during Cruelty Prevention Month to spread the word about animal abuse awareness and educate others on how to prevent cruelty.
Animal abuse is a serious issue, but by raising animal abuse awareness and knowing the warning signs, we can take steps to protect our pets from harm. Whether it’s ensuring your groomer is trustworthy or reporting suspicious behavior, every action counts in the fight against animal cruelty.
Let’s work together to make the world a safer place for our pets. By supporting humane education and getting involved in community outreach, we can help prevent cruelty and ensure that every animal receives the care and respect they deserve.
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About Thirty Something Super Mom
My journey started after a Crohn's disease diagnosis, inspiring a commitment to well-being. This site shares my distinctive approach to healthy living with my collection of nutritious recipes that boast authentic flavors, mimicking the indulgence of traditional dishes. I love sharing guilt free recipes for low carb, keto, gluten-free, paleo, and the specific carbohydrate diet. I also share tips on natural living, including homemade cleaners and cleaning hacks. I also share my experience as a veterinary technician and pet groomer, to integrate pet health tips, homemade dog food recipes, and grooming insights to ensure your pets thrive.
OMG I am so upset reading this. I guess I am naive and always just assumed that groomers were all animal lovers, but apparently not. How can anyone be so cruel?
I recently decided to take my 9 yr old ship tzu to Petco for “express grooming “. That means no cage drying and only my dog is groomed in one hour. The groomer was difficult from the beginning, but the store manager had her call me to apologize. Big mistake, this groomer probably didn’t even like dogs. I left my dog and came back in 1 hr, but my dog was no where in sight. I demanded my dog be given to me immediately , it was clear he had been left in a dryer cage for the hour! He hasn’t been well since, bleeding from sores on his neck, not eating, etc. Will take the case to proper authorities, BBB and court.
I don’t understand people. Are you serious you want your dog to look their best for a party when they just lost an ear?! That woman was the worst!
Whoa, stories like these just blow my mind! I can’t believe anyone would treat living creatures with such disrespect and cruelty! I’m not an animal person at all, I’m not even a fan of petting dogs or cats. But even I know that animals deserve to be treated well and not manhandled or hurt, intentionally or accidentally! It just makes me mad, the things people are capable of :-(.
This is just awful. I could hardly stand to read this. I never took my dog to the groomer – and thankfully!
I don’t trust anyone with my pets. I groom them all myself, because I worry about stuff like this.
It’s really upsetting to hear that people like that continue to get away with abusing animals. Before this article I would have thought someone would have to love pets to want to be a groomer.
This is an eye-opening blog post. It is really important to carefully choose your groomers.
We consider our yorkie one of the family so I would NEVER send him to a groomer that didn’t treat him well. I had no idea this type of abuse happened regularly. It’s really disturbing.
In my opinion this Yorkie owner should never have pets if all she thinks about is image and how the dog looks for the party. This actually makes me so mad. I would never return to a groomer who cut off my dogs ear. My sister was a vet tech and had some horrifying stories also.
I am glad somebody finally listened to you. We have two dogs that we put on kennel when we go on vacation so this type of things makes me weary.
Some people are just so mean. I would never trust my pet to a groomer I don’t trust.
This is so sad! But it’s so glad to hear that YOU are doing your best. I’m going to hug all my animals now.
This is horrible! Do you think they do that in places like Petsmart? I’ve been dropping them off for 2 years, they never came back with a scratch and the girls seem to like animals!
I have heard so many stories like this in the past year and it is heartbreaking! Even big name groomers like Petsmart has had terrible press this year. This is the exact reason that we do all of our grooming at home now.
I am lucky to have a friend that knows how to groom dogs. I always brought my dog to her and we would chat while she worked her magic on him. It is so sad that this happens. I would never go back to a groomer that hurt my dog. The Yorkie owner needs to sue the groomers.
I am a very big advocate for animal rescue and animal rights. I get so upset and angry when I hear stories like this. I have had animals my whole life and can’t tell you how many I have rescued and treated. I have volunteered at animal control and humane societies and I have been fortunate that I have not had experiences like these. I would be extremely angry and probably file a law suit against whoever hurt my babies. I am very lucky that I take my girls to a groomer for a nail trim and I get to see them do it. When it comes to grooming, there is a girl who works at my vets office. My soon to be ex-husband went to school with the girls who work in there and I consider them my friends and animals lovers too. I would continue to report anyone who I felt was an animal abuser and I think you did the right thing telling the truth!
This is absolutely disturbing to hear but it is something that does go on. How terrible that you witnessed such horrible things but did the right thing in reporting it.
Wow you are brave for standing up to them and contacting animal control and sucks they took so long to send someone over!! Wow I honestly don’t know what I would have done in your place. People can be so horrid!
I actually can’t believe that someone would bring their dog back to finish up a bath after they cut his ear off. How terrible.
It’s crazy to hear stories like this. I have always imagined things like this taking place, but hoped it wasn’t true.
Gosh, I just wanted to close my eyes and stop reading after I saw your heading. It is really sad, I dont know how people can live with themselves after doing this.
That is disturbing on many levels! I have always had a funny feeling about most groomers. This confirms it. Thankfully, I groom my own dog.
Deplorable! I cannot even bring myself to read this. But, on another note, that is a great photo (the main one).
Certain people decided to use their human power over the world to tame animals for their own selfish benefit. It can almost be compared to slavery. Looking at this makes me uncomfortable.
This is one of the scariest things about getting your dog groomed. Whenever possible, we stick around and watch as much as possible, especially for something like nails on the pup that hates to have his nails done. If you find a good, loving groomer consider yourself very lucky!
Yes, that is so true! Your dogs are lucky to have you looking out for them! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.