SERVICE AGREEMENT AND PROCEDURES
The pet is fit and healthy, Grooming which takes place on an elderly or infirm pet will be at the owner's risk. Grooming may expose pre-existing health\skin conditions for which Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC cannot be held liable.
The pet's rabies vaccine is up to date (as required by law) unless otherwise discussed.
In the event of an emergency, in your absence, you authorize Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC to contact the nearest Veterinarian and authorize the Vet to treat the pet as necessary at your expense. (This applies to pre-existing conditions made worse by grooming).
Payment is to be made at the time of service. Payment can be cash, check or credit card. Returned checks will incur a $35 charge. Our rates are based on the breed of the pet and duration of the groom. Nail cutting and ear cleaning are part of the service unless the process is too stressful for the pet or too dangerous for the groomer.
Anal Gland expression is complementary by request only. You must request anal glands be checked at drop off. Note: Anal gland expression is done by external expression, many vets will do internal expression. For dogs with recurring impaction or infection I recommend you see a vet.
“De-matting" or complete coat removal will dramatically alter your pet's appearance. This procedure may expose pre-existing health\skin problems for which Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC cannot be held liable.
CANCELLATIONS
We follow the Negaunee public school closures as they pertain to inclimate weather. We may still operate on “cold days” but after heavy snowfall our road is one of the last to be plowed by the county. I will call/text if we need to reschedule due to weather or confirm you are still attending your appointment. We try to work as long as conditions are not dangerous. If you are unsure, please call us to confirm.
Cancellation and rescheduling of an appointment, by the client, requires 48 hours notice to waive the FULL appointment fee. In the event of emergencies, illness, or other uncontrollable and reasonable cancellations can be exempt from the cancellation fee.
In the event of inclimate weather, a family emergency or any other uncontrollable circumstance, the groomer has the discretion to waive the fee within the 48 hour period.
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a groom if we feel the need to do so. Every effort will be made to reschedule at a time convenient for both the client and the groomer.
NO SHOWS
It is considered a "no-show" when the client is not available at the scheduled appointment time and does not contact the groomer to cancel or reschedule.
No Shows will be charged 50% of their normal grooming fee (or 50$ for first time clients) due to the loss of revenue caused by a "no-show". This must be paid prior to scheduling a new appointment. Please make every effort to call and cancel or reschedule when possible to avoid such situations.
We reserve the right to refuse service to any pet or client for any reason.
DROP OFF PROCEDURES
I am one-on-one by appointment only. You may drop off 10 minutes before your appointment time, if you need to drop off earlier arrangements must be made, dropping off earlier than your scheduled appointment time may mean your dog will wait in a kennel or doggie play pen for their safety.
You must have full control of your dog during drop off, many of our neighbors have livestock, or dogs/cats of their own. Please have your dog on a leash, carried in your arms, or in a crate during drop off. You will leave your pet's leash and collar/crate for me so that I can have your pet ready for you upon pick up.
You may park on the road or in the driveway. Entrance to the grooming salon is through the front door.
If you have arrived earlier than 10 minutes (and you have not set up prior arrangements) please wait in your car text or call so arrangements can be made for dogs in my care.
I will be there to greet you at the door, if I do not show up to the door after 3 minutes than you may knock, I likely noticed you but I may have to finish up something I was working on. Do NOT walk into my home without waving you in.
IF YOU NEED A LATE ARRIVAL PLEASE CONFIRM WITH ME AN ETA 24 HRS IN ADVANCE. IF YOU HAD SOMETHING COME UP ON THE WAY TO YOUR APPOINTMENT MAKING YOU RUN BEHIND PLEASE LET ME KNOW ASAP, APPOINTMENTS MORE THAN 15 MINUTES LATE MAY HAVE TO BE RESCHEDULED DUE TO SCHEDULING.
.
.
PICK UP PROCEDURES
Picking up your pet will be like drop off but in reverse. Your pet will be leashed or crated ready for pickup prior to your arrival.
Please maintain control of your dog at all times. We have livestock directly across the street from us which curious dogs may find intriguing.
Payment is due at time of pick up, I accept cash, local check, or card. Payment can also be prepaid (after dog has arrived, before pickup time), if you require a prepayment please let me know so I can send you the appropriate invoice.
I will send you a notice 10-20 minutes for when your pet will be ready for pickup- If you require more time for notice I can offer up to 30 minutes, just let me know at drop off. If you know you will be more than 15 minutes late please let me know ASAP.
I charge 20$ for every half hour you are late from your designated pick up time sent you by text or call.
.
Text Reminders
My system will send you an automatic text reminder 1 week prior to your appointment and await your confirmation. If your appointment has not been confirmed within 72 hours, another automatic text reminder will be sent to you. You must reply with Y to confirm, or N to cancel.
.
COVID 19 Notice
To keep myself & my family safe: If you have been recently exposed to or have tested positive for COVID-19 or have the flu, you must reschedule.
.
Refund Policy
I do not offer refunds. If there is something you want changed about your grooming, please notify me within 48 hours of service date. An appointment will be scheduled within 1 week of notification to fix your pets hair to your liking.
.
Release for Severely Matted Pets
Every effort is made to protect your pet’s skin and coat while removing the hair that has become matted. The safety and comfort of your pet are my top priority. A pet’s coat that has not been attended to for a long period of time may become extremely sensitive and incur clipper marks, abrasions, rashes, nicks, itchiness, or redness. Shaving extremely matted ears might also encourage head shaking causing hematomas. You as the owner, agree to in no way hold Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC responsible for any problems resulting from the grooming of your matted pet as the stress from your neglect to tend to your pet’s coat is not my doing nor reason to put fault onto myself or my company. Additional charges on top of regular grooming fees will apply to pets that are severely matted.
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TREATMENT RELEASE
It is your responsibility to have vet care for your pets. Working with animals is never predictable, and if a situation should arise where I feel veterinary attention outside of basic first aid is needed, you hereby authorize medical treatment for your pet to the nearest available veterinarian clinic. (Example: Negaunee Veterinary Clinic; located at ) In the event that Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC incurs any costs, fees, or expenses arising from, or relating to, your pet’s need for veterinary care during your pet’s grooming appointment, being that they are unrelated to incidents during your pet’s service, you will promptly reimburse Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC for the same upon request via.
If your pet has any pre-existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, Cushing’s disease, Addisons, or others, Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC is not responsible for exposing or exacerbating new or known problems.
Senior Pets 10+ years. You are aware that grooming can cause stress that can exacerbate or expose new problems, or even lead to a serious medical event or death in senior pets. You release Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC from liability should any problem/medical issue occur that is unrelated to minor accidents that may occur during your pet’s service.
Please know that I would never purposefully put your pet in harm's way and will do everything possible to provide a safe grooming session. Any new injuries as a result of your dogs appointment will be covered fully by Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC.
.
Pregnant or In Heat Females
I do not groom pregnant animals. Grooming a pregnant animal is not a standard practice and can cause stress that can exacerbate or expose new problems such as early labor, and miscarriage. It is recommended to wait at least 14 days after they have given birth to schedule a bath or grooming appointment to ensure there are no complications postpartum. Animals in heat may come in for service as long as they aren't excessively bleeding. It is typically advised to wait until they are close to the end of their cycle to schedule services. Please bring clean pet diapers with you for your pet’s groom. You release Top Knot’ch Grooms LLC from liability should any problem/medical issue occur to pregnant or in-heat animals.