P-06-1391 Introduce regulation of the dog grooming sector, to protect the welfare of dogs and rights of owners – Correspondence from the Petitioner to the Committee, 03 March 2025

With reference to summary of responses, I was extremely heartened to learn of the consensus of opinions regarding the need to introduce minimum standards for the dog grooming sector in Wales.

During the period from the petition's inception there have been a number of incidents that have resulted in injury and in some instances the death of a dog whilst in the care of a dog groomer in Wales.

It cannot be the case that we wait for more cases of untrained, uninsured and usually hidden practitioners to operate without any oversight.

Dog grooming standards directly reflect the value we place as a nation on our pet's welfare and safeguarding.  Without a method for protecting owners and their dogs, the sector will continue to operate devoid of professional responsibility.

Currently, there isn't even a concise overview of the numbers of grooming practitioners in Wales.  The only method available to inform owners of best practice would be through the vagaries of online customer reviews.