Consent Form

At Paws on State Pet Salon, the safety, comfort, and well-being of every pet in our care is our top priority. Our consent form outlines important salon policies, grooming procedures, safety information, client responsibilities, and the terms you agree to when allowing us to care for your pet.

We understand that consent forms can contain a lot of information, and it can be easy to overlook certain details when signing. For that reason, we provide our full consent form here so you can review it at any time.

By signing our consent form and allowing Paws on State Pet Salon to provide services for your pet, you acknowledge that you have had the opportunity to read, understand, and agree to the policies and terms outlined below.

We encourage all clients to review these policies carefully and contact us with any questions or concerns.

All clients are required to sign our consent form either electronically or physically before their first appointment. 

BASIC CONSENT FORM

Grooming Consent & Risks
You authorize the grooming services discussed at drop-off and reasonable adjustments for your pet’s comfort and safety. Grooming uses sharp tools and involves bathing, drying, brushing, and handling. Despite reasonable care, risks include irritation, minor nicks, nail bleeding, stress, and discovery or aggravation of underlying conditions. Movement, coat condition, age, health, and behavior may increase these risks. Comfort and safety take priority over appearance. Grooming does not replace veterinary care; our staff does not diagnose or treat medical conditions.

Health & Behavior Disclosure
Before each visit, disclose all relevant health and behavior concerns and any changes, including allergies, skin sensitivities, injuries, recent surgeries, pregnancy, seizures, heart or breathing conditions, mobility limitations, medications, biting, aggression, anxiety, escape behavior, and sensitivities to tools or handling. For medication given before an appointment, disclose its name, dose, and administration time. Follow your veterinarian’s medication instructions; we do not administer sedation. Missing information may result in modified or stopped services and affect responsibility for resulting harm or expenses under applicable law.

Matted Pet Consent
You authorize shaving when needed for comfort and safety, even if the haircut is shorter than requested. We will not perform prolonged or painful dematting to preserve length. Matting may cause or conceal irritation, sores, bruising, infection, parasites, or injuries; removal may reveal these conditions and increase injury risk when skin is pulled into the coat. Severe ear matting, irritation, or head shaking after removal may contribute to swelling or hematomas requiring veterinary care. Additional fees may apply for time, handling, and equipment. To the extent permitted by law, we are not responsible for conditions caused or concealed by matting, or removal-related irritation, injuries, or hematomas occurring despite reasonable care; this does not excuse our negligence.

Handstripping Consent
When requested, you authorize removal of suitable dead coat by hand or stripping tools. Suitability depends on coat, skin, tolerance, and grooming history. Temporary redness, sensitivity, or irritation may occur. We may modify or stop the service if uncomfortable or unsuitable; results may require multiple visits, and alternatives will be discussed when appropriate.

Special Needs, Safe Handling & Stopped Services
Senior pets and pets with medical, physical, or emotional limitations may be more sensitive, and grooming may aggravate existing conditions despite reasonable care. You authorize breaks, service adjustments, and reasonable, humane use of appropriate safety equipment, including grooming restraints, properly fitted muzzles, Elizabethan collars, or control poles, with attention to your pet’s condition and tolerance. We may refuse, modify, or stop services due to stress, aggression, illness, or other safety concerns. Some pets may require grooming in a veterinary setting. Completion is not guaranteed; payment remains due for services performed and additional time or handling charges disclosed and agreed upon.

Medical Incidents & Emergency Care
We will make reasonable efforts to promptly report observed injuries, medical concerns, or unusual reactions. You authorize necessary transportation and urgent care by an available licensed veterinarian or emergency clinic of our choice. We will try to reach you or your emergency contact but may proceed without contact when delay could endanger your pet. You are responsible for expenses related to pre-existing conditions or events for which we are not legally responsible. Suspected grooming injuries and reimbursement requests will be reviewed by the salon and, when applicable, its insurer, using the circumstances, veterinary findings, and applicable law. Provide relevant veterinary records, itemized invoices, and the veterinarian’s assessment. Reimbursement is not automatic; do not delay necessary veterinary care.

Liability
To the extent permitted by law, you agree not to hold the salon, owners, or employees responsible for outcomes resulting solely from pre-existing conditions, undisclosed health or behavior concerns, or inherent grooming risks despite reasonable care. This agreement does not excuse negligence or willful or wanton misconduct, or waive liability or rights that cannot legally be waived. Veterinary opinions inform, but do not alone determine, legal liability.

Leashes, Carriers & Owner Responsibility
Retractable leashes are prohibited. Dogs must arrive and leave on secure, standard leashes; cats must be in secure carriers. Keep equipment properly fitted and maintain control until staff accepts custody and immediately when your pet is returned. Pets may not roam freely; allow space between animals and avoid unfamiliar pet greetings. Responsibility for bites, injuries, escapes, or property damage depends on the circumstances and applicable law. Undisclosed dangerous behavior may affect your responsibility; the salon remains responsible for its own negligence.

Vaccinations, Illness & Parasites
Your pet must have a current veterinarian-administered rabies vaccination unless a legally recognized exemption is disclosed and accepted. Provide veterinary proof or direct verification when requested. Other veterinarian-recommended vaccinations, including distemper, are encouraged; distemper is not required by the salon. Contact us before bringing a pet with coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, unexplained skin conditions, or suspected parasites. Cleaning cannot eliminate all exposure in a shared pet environment. We may refuse or stop services for suspected illness or parasites and require veterinary treatment before return. If live fleas are found, you authorize an immediate flea bath and additional charge without prior contact to limit spread. Other parasite treatment and charges may be discussed with you.

Estimates & Payment
Quotes are estimates. Final pricing depends on size, coat type and condition, behavior, requested services, time, and assistance needed. Matting, excessive coat buildup, special handling, and extra services may increase charges. We will make reasonable efforts to discuss material changes beforehand; minimum necessary action for immediate safety or comfort may proceed, with charges explained as soon as practical. The remaining balance, including services performed, approved add-ons, and applicable disclosed fees, is due at pickup. Service concerns do not automatically cancel payment. Outstanding balances and fees must be paid before further bookings unless we approve another arrangement.

Deposits — Nonrefundable & Nontransferable
Deposits apply only to the specific appointment and pet booked. They cannot transfer to another date, time, pet, person, or service, or become salon credit. If you cancel, reschedule, or miss the appointment, your deposit is forfeited regardless of notice, except where required by law. A new booking may require a new deposit. New clients who cancel or reschedule their first appointment may be required to pay a 50% deposit to rebook, regardless of notice. No-shows or cancellations or rescheduling with less than 24 hours’ notice may require a 100% deposit for future bookings. If the salon cancels or reschedules, we will offer a deposit refund or, with your agreement, apply it to the replacement appointment.

Cancellations, No-Shows & Late Arrivals
Provide at least 24 hours’ notice to cancel or reschedule; notice does not make deposits refundable or transferable. Arriving 15 minutes or more late may result in a disclosed late fee, reduced services, or cancellation. Late cancellations and no-shows may result in deposit forfeiture, applicable disclosed fees, and future prepayment requirements. Retained deposits will be credited toward any cancellation or no-show charge for that appointment. Applicable fees will be disclosed before booking or proceeding with service. Repeated lateness, cancellations, or no-shows may result in refusal of future bookings.

Holiday Bookings
Appointments during the week before and week of Thanksgiving and Christmas require a 50–100% deposit, with the amount specified at booking. Other designated holiday periods will be identified at booking. The same nonrefundable and nontransferable terms apply.

Pickup & Availability
Provide a working phone number and remain reachable. Completion times are estimates and cannot be guaranteed because pets’ needs and salon conditions vary. Arrange prompt pickup when notified, no later than closing unless otherwise approved. Extended-stay or after-hours fees apply only when amounts and pickup requirements were disclosed in advance. Immediate pickup may be required if your pet cannot safely remain. Anyone collecting your pet must be authorized, able to control the pet safely, and prepared to pay the balance.

Preferences & Service Concerns
Communicate haircut, length, and services wanted or declined before grooming. Reference photos help, but results depend on coat, condition, anatomy, and tolerance. Check your pet at pickup and report concerns promptly. Safe, reasonable adjustments may be offered; changed preferences after an agreed-upon groom may require another appointment and charge. For bleeding, swelling, persistent irritation, pain, or other concerning symptoms, seek veterinary advice as appropriate and notify us promptly. Reports do not guarantee refunds or reimbursement or limit legal rights.

Client Acknowledgment
By signing or digitally agreeing, I confirm I own the pet or am authorized to consent for the owner. I have read, understand, and accept these terms, had the opportunity to ask questions, and provided accurate health and behavior information to the best of my knowledge. I will disclose changes before future visits. This agreement applies to future appointments until replaced; material policy changes will be communicated before applying to a booking. If a provision is unenforceable, the remaining terms remain effective to the extent permitted by law. Rights and obligations that cannot legally be waived remain in effect.