At Sniffles Ltd, your dog’s safety and wellbeing are our top priority. By booking or using our grooming services, you agree to the following terms:

1. Duty of Care

We handle every dog with care, patience, and professionalism. However, grooming involves the use of sharp tools and close handling, and while we take all reasonable precautions, there is a small risk of minor injuries such as nicks, scratches, clipper irritation, or stress-related reactions.

2. Matted Coats

Matted coats can cause discomfort and increase the risk of injury during grooming. Where matting is present:

• We may need to clip or shave the coat short for the dog’s welfare

• The final result may differ from your preferred style

• Skin irritation, redness, or pre-existing conditions may become visible

By proceeding, you consent to the safe and humane removal of matting and accept these risks.

3. Behaviour & Temperament

You must inform us of any behavioural concerns or medical conditions prior to your appointment.

• If a dog becomes distressed or poses a risk, we may pause or stop the groom

• Additional handling fees may apply for dogs requiring extra time or care

• Owners remain responsible for any damage or injury caused by their dog

4. Health & Parasites

All dogs should be in good health and free from contagious conditions.

• If fleas or parasites are found, we may administer treatment to protect the salon environment (charges may apply)

• In some cases, we may need to stop or reschedule the appointment

5. Veterinary Care

In the unlikely event of an injury or medical concern:

• We will provide basic first aid where appropriate

• If urgent veterinary care is needed, we may seek treatment without prior approval

• Any associated veterinary costs are the owner’s responsibility

6. Professional Judgment

Our groomers will always act in the best interest of your dog. This may include adjusting the grooming style or method to ensure safety, comfort, and welfare.

7. Liability

Sniffles Ltd takes all reasonable care when providing grooming services. However, by proceeding with your booking, you acknowledge and accept the inherent risks involved.

Nothing in these terms limits or excludes liability where it would be unlawful to do so, including under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.

We are not responsible for:

• Pre-existing conditions that become apparent during grooming

• Minor, unavoidable injuries despite reasonable care

• Outcomes resulting from necessary welfare-based decisions (e.g. removal of matted coats)

8. Appointments & Collection

• Please provide notice for cancellations or changes

• Late arrivals may result in a reduced service or rescheduling

• Dogs must be collected promptly; late collection fees may apply

9. Acceptance of Terms

By booking an appointment with Sniffles Ltd, you confirm that you have read and agree to these terms.

Please note that all grooming prices are estimates and may vary depending on your dog’s size, coat condition, coat length, behaviour, and the time required to complete the groom.

Additional charges may apply for:

• Severely matted coats

• Dogs requiring extra handling or time

• Specialist styling or treatments

A full consultation will be carried out upon arrival, where we will assess your dog and confirm the final price before proceeding.

To help us provide the best possible experience for your dog:

• Please ensure your dog has been exercised prior to arrival

• Allow your dog the opportunity to relieve themselves before entering the salon

This helps your dog feel more relaxed and allows us to focus fully on safe and comfortable grooming.

Grooming is a time-intensive process, with a standard full groom typically taking between 90 and 120 minutes. Dogs with heavily matted coats require significantly more time and care.

Where excessive matting is present:

• Additional charges will apply to reflect the extra time, labour, and equipment required

• In some cases, we may recommend splitting the groom over multiple sessions, each charged accordingly

• We reserve the right to refuse de-matting where we believe it would cause unnecessary stress, pain, or risk to your dog

De-matting Risks & Welfare

De-matting can be uncomfortable and carries inherent risks, particularly when matting is tight to the skin. These risks may include:

• Skin irritation, redness, or sensitivity

• Grazing, nicks, or cuts in severe cases

• Increased stress or discomfort for your dog

For welfare reasons, Sniffles Ltd will often recommend clipping or shaving the coat rather than de-matting. This is typically the safest and most humane option, helping to minimise discomfort and reduce the risk of injury or long-term grooming aversion.

To maintain a clean and safe environment for all dogs, Sniffles Ltd operates a strict flea control policy.

If fleas or flea dirt are identified during grooming:

• A de-flea treatment will be carried out immediately

• An additional charge will apply to cover the cost of specialist shampoo and required salon sanitation

• This treatment is mandatory to prevent the spread of fleas to other dogs and the salon environment

In cases of severe infestation, we reserve the right to stop the groom and reschedule once the issue has been appropriately treated.

Additional Charges

The following charges apply in addition to the standard grooming price:

• Shave-off for heavily matted coats: £15

• De-matting (up to 15 minutes): £15

• De-matting (up to 30 minutes): £30

Booking Requirements

Please inform us at the time of booking if your dog has any matting.

• Appointments include up to 15 minutes of light de-matting only

• Dogs requiring additional time must be booked accordingly

• If we are not informed in advance, we may be unable to complete de-matting and may need to clip the coat instead

If clipping is declined, the appointment may be stopped and the full grooming fee will still apply.

Severely Matted Coats

Where matting is tight to the skin:

• The coat will need to be clipped short for welfare reasons

• De-matting in these cases is not suitable due to discomfort and risk

• We reserve the right to refuse de-matting where it is not in the dog’s best interest

Welfare & Risks

Both de-matting and shaving matted coats carry risks, including skin irritation, sensitivity, or minor cuts, particularly where matting is close to the skin.

Our team will always choose the safest and most humane option for your dog.

Ongoing Coat Care

Regular brushing and maintenance are essential to prevent matting, particularly for long or high-maintenance coats.

For dogs kept in longer styles, we recommend routine grooming appointments to help maintain coat condition and comfort.

The health, safety, and welfare of all dogs in our care is our highest priority.

We strongly recommend that all dogs attending Sniffles Ltd are up to date with their vaccinations to help protect both your pet and others within the salon.

Suitability for Grooming

Not all dogs are suitable for grooming at all times. Factors such as age, health, and temperament may affect whether a service can be safely carried out.

• We reserve the right to refuse or modify services where we believe grooming may cause distress, discomfort, or risk

• Any concerns will be discussed with you upon arrival

Medical Conditions & Senior Dogs

You must inform us of any medical conditions, injuries, or ongoing veterinary treatment prior to your appointment.

• For elderly dogs or those with health concerns, we may require written confirmation from your veterinarian stating that grooming is safe to proceed

• Grooming will only be carried out where it is in the best interest of your dog’s wellbeing

Nervous or Anxious Dogs

If your dog is nervous, anxious, or highly excitable, we recommend providing exercise prior to the appointment to help them feel more relaxed.

Our team will always handle your dog with patience and care, adjusting the process to suit their needs where possible.

Right to Stop Grooming

If, at any point, your dog becomes overly stressed or unsafe to handle:

• We reserve the right to stop the grooming process

• You may be asked to collect your dog early

• The full or partial grooming fee may still apply

We will never continue a groom where it compromises your dog’s welfare.

Due to high demand and limited availability, we kindly ask that you provide at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

Late Cancellations & No-Shows

• Appointments cancelled with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed entirely, may require full or partial prepayment to secure a future booking

• If a prepaid appointment is missed again without sufficient notice, the payment will be retained to cover lost appointment time

Appointment reminders may be sent as a courtesy; however, it remains the owner’s responsibility to attend or cancel in time.

Same-Day Bookings

All same-day appointments are subject to this cancellation and no-show policy.

Late Arrivals

Your appointment time is reserved specifically for your dog.

• If you are running late, please contact us as soon as possible

• We allow a maximum 20-minute grace period

• Arrivals later than 20 minutes may result in a reduced service (e.g. wash & tidy only)

Please note:

• The full grooming fee may still apply, as the appointment time has been reserved exclusively for your pet

Our opening hour are 10-6pm. Pickups after 6pm will incur a late pickup fee! Our late pickup fees are charged at £10 for every 15 minutes