P.E.I. groomers busy shaving down wait-list of canine customers

Island dog groomers expect to have their hands full with appointments for the foreseeable future and some are now booking into this summer.

"We're booking about June 29, or the first week of July right now," said Charlottetown groomer Diana Greer, owner of Diana's Grooming, which has been operating for more than 30 years.

Greerand otherdog groomers on the Islandhavebeen closed since mid-March, so their canine clients have gone a couple of months without an appointment.

As part of Phase 2 of the province's ease-back plan, groomers were allowed to reopen on May 22.

Greer said even prior to the announcement of an official date for reopening, she had a five-page list of those wanting appointments as soon as possible.

'Pretty stressful'

Now, she's fielding so many requests for appointmentsshe had to bring her daughter on board to answer the phones while she does the grooming, and she's working 11-hour days totry to catch up after the extended closure.

"It was pretty stressful, because with the [dogs]and the puppies not getting groomed, it makes a lot of people anxious," said Greer.

"They get a lot of mats, and the knots will hurt them, and their nails get long, so it's just nice that we're getting back in the swing of things, so the dogs can start feeling a little better too."

If hair and nails are left unattended, infections on the skin and in the paws are possible, she said, and many pet owners don't feel comfortable doing the work themselves.

"Even though I encouraged people to, and offered assistance, at the same time I was nervous of people doing it because the instruments are so sharp," said Charlene Cooke, owner of Riley's Groom and Board in Summerside.

Cooke said that means appointments are taking longer than usual, and costs for appointments will likely increasetoo not just to cover the additional time spent, but for new expenses associated with COVID-19.

Equipment upgrades

She said prior to reopening, she ordered high-quality hand sanitizer, as well as industrial strength cleaners. She's also ordered new equipment to make it easier to pay with limited contact.

"I went and got a square because it's contactless," said Cooke. "Before I was dealing with a lot of cash, so now people have the option to tap or swipe."

For dog owners, it's a relief to finally be able to bring their pups in for a trim.

"He really needed a haircut," said Linda Pikeabout her dog BooBoo, whose hair was so long it had almost completely covered his eyesbefore hisbath, haircut and nail trim at Diana's Grooming.

"It's like ourselves. When we get a haircut, we feel better."

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