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Are Groomers Getting Licensed? The topic comes up frequently among professional pet groomers. Is our Industry about to be regulated? BIGA explores further:
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et’s break this down. Firstly, what do we mean by regulation? Regulation, or licensing, means that there are protocols and standards in place across the country (for example in England, though the devolved nations may also implement their own form of regulation that looks similar) to ensure high standards in animal welfare during grooming. It encourages professionalism. It provides accountability. It says that not just anybody can come along and groom your dog or cat. Because there are certain safeguards that must be put in place before you take your sharp instruments to an animal. So, it’s a good thing, because you don’t just want anybody scissoring and styling your dog if they don’t really know what they’re doing and they’re ignoring all the health, safety, welfare and security considerations that go into our noble vocation and profession. Secondly, is regulation necessary? In October 2018, the Government rolled out licensing to a variety of professional services that look after our cats and dogs. Doggie Daycare, Kennels and more. So, if you run a doggie daycare, you need to apply to your Local Authority. You’ll need to pay an annual fee (for example £125 for your business). The Council may come along to inspect your premises. The person from the Council will need to be reassured that you’ve put in place the various safeguards to ensure the highest standards in animal welfare needs. It’s therefore a matter of time before other pet professionals, specifically pet groomers, can likewise expect their businesses to be regulated. So, thirdly, who makes up the rules that groomers must follow when it comes to Regulation? 8 | www.technogroom.co.uk
The Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) is an advisory body to the Government (the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs: Defra). The CFSG is made up of members from the world of pet professionals. Vets. Charities. Other organisations that lobby on behalf of the welfare of pet cats and dogs. Industry associations like the British Isles Grooming Association and the Pet Industry Federation. All of these experts are consulted in order to put in place the standards for regulation that are recommended to Defra for implementation and legislation. The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA), for example, is an associate member of the CFSG. BIGA is therefore consulted for its expertise when it comes to matters affecting professional pet groomers and the provision of pet grooming treatments. Discussions are currently underway about the future licensing of pet groomers. What’s the Timeline? BIGA, with the support of its membership, put forward a proposal to the CFSG in 2019 with its
recommended ‘best practice’ for pet groomers in the care and control of pet cats and dogs during grooming. And then, Covid happened. Progress on the regulating of professional pet groomers went a bit sideways as we all confronted the safety protocols of providing an essential service for our pet cats and dogs. So, there’s been an understandable delay on regulation. Where are we now? Discussions are continuing about the shape that regulation will take for the professional pet grooming industry. We’re not entirely sure when it will happen. But it’s likely within the next few years. In the meantime, members of BIGA who would like to be proactive and put in place the recommended best practice standards, anticipating regulation, can access the Chat Forum on the Member Website and access the Guidelines put forward by BIGA. This provides a good insight about what to expect. The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA) is a not-for-profit trade association and community-support network of likeminded professional pet groomers. To find out more, please visit www.mybiga.org.
