Policies

Below is a brief overview of our salon policies. A full grooming agreement will be provided at your first appointment for you to read and sign.
This helps ensure everything is clear and your dog receives the best care possible!

PAYMENT, CANELLATIONS & NO SHOWS

Appointments must be booked in advance and are subject to availability. A £10 non-refundable deposit is required for new clients to secure their first appointment, this will be deducted from the final groom price. Payment is due on collection by card, cash or bank transfer. At least 24 hours notice is required for cancellations. If less notice is given or the appointment is missed entirely, the deposit will be retained. For future appointments, a £10 no show fee will apply. Please arrive on time; after a 15 minute grace period, I may need to adjust the session. While I always aim to keep to schedule, occasional delays may happen due to a dog’s needs or unforeseen circumstances.

MATTING

Under the Animal Welfare Act (2006), it is an offence to cause unnecessary suffering to an animal. This includes prolonged or painful de-matting. If your dog is severely matted or matted in multiple areas, I am required to clip the coat short humanely or advise that you see your vet to do the same. Matting can cause discomfort, limit movement and lead to skin issues such as sores or infections. In these cases, shaving the coat is often the kindest and safest option for your dog’s wellbeing. Removing mats takes extra time, may be uncomfortable for your dog and can cause damage to tools and equipment. Because of this a matting fee will apply. This will be discussed with you either before the appointment or during the groom depending on when the extent of matting is identified. To help prevent matting, I strongly recommend regular brushing at home and maintaining a consistent grooming schedule. I'm always happy to advise on a suitable care routine between grooms.

FLEAS

All dogs must be free from fleas when attending their appointment. If fleas are found during the groom, a £15 fee will be added to the cost of the groom to cover sanitising and flea treatment of the salon. The session may also be stopped. Please check your dog beforehand and contact me to reschedule with at least 24 hours notice to avoid a cancellation fee.

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITIES & MY DUTY OF CARE

It is the owner's responsibility to ensure their dog is fully vaccinated and that I’m informed of any pre-existing conditions, injuries, behavioural issues or sensitivities before the appointment. We do not accept dogs that are pregnant or have transmissible diseases: this is for the safety of your dog and others. Anal gland expression is not offered as part of my grooming services and will need to be arranged separately where required. I will carry out all grooming services with care and attention to each dog’s wellbeing. Where necessary, a muzzle may be used briefly to ensure safety of myself and the dog. Sessions may be adjusted to suit puppies, senior dogs or those with specific needs. If matting is found, I will contact the owner during the groom to discuss next steps. A matting release form will need to be signed. In the event of a medical emergency, I may seek urgent veterinary care if I’m unable to reach the owner or their emergency contact. While every precaution is taken, I cannot be held liable for issues related to pre-existing conditions or unpredictable reactions. Any emergency vet costs are the owner's responsibility unless negligence is proven.

BATH & BARK PRIVACY POLICY

At Bath & Bark, your privacy and your dog's is important to me. I collect and store only the information necessary to run the salon safely, professionally and in line with legal requirements.

What Information We Collect

I collect the following details when you book with me or attend an appointment:

Your name and contact details (e.g. phone number, email, address)
Your dog’s information: name, breed, age, colour, gender and behavioural or medical notes
Details of each groom (e.g. blades/attachments used, areas scissored, nails trimmed, visit dates)
Notes on your dog’s temperament, sensitivities and likes/dislikes (e.g. nervous, foot sensitive)
Any medical concerns noticed or disclosed (e.g. lumps, warts, heart murmur)
Photos of your dog (only with your consent)
Appointment and payment history

How It’s Stored

Information is stored both:

In hard copy, filed alphabetically by your dog’s name and locked away securely each night
Digitally, in password protected systems accessible only by me

Why We Collect It

This information allows me to:

Contact you regarding appointments or emergencies
Provide a safe and personalised grooming service
Maintain grooming history and adapt to your dog’s needs
Share before/after images (only if you've consented) on social media or my website

Your Rights & Access

You can:

Ask to view or update your grooming card at any time
Request that I delete your data if you stop attending

Client records will be securely destroyed after 2 years of non-attendance.

I Respect Your Privacy

I never share your personal information with third parties for marketing or unrelated purposes.

All data handling complies with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018.

If you have any questions or would like to access or update your information, just get in touch.