Dog groomers see a pack of new pandemic clients in Calgary

Dog groomers are seeing a pack of new pandemic clients in Calgary.

January through to the end of March are usually quiet times for dog groomers, steady, but quiet. In April, things tend to pick up except some groomers in Calgary say since the pandemic began, they haven't stopped being busy.

At Mucky Pups in the southwest neighbourhood of Canyon Meadows,co-owner and groomer Debbie Cameron said she started noticing a boost in business after they opened up again in April 2020.

Returning clients were antsy to grab some treats and supplies curbside, and new ones were lining up, she said.

Then, when grooming started up again the COVID puppies started popping in.

"We thought for sure with COVID ... it's going to affect us," Cameron said. "It went the opposite way."

Cameron said over their 25 years in business, they've been through recessions and realized no matter how much people are hurting, they will scrounge to keep their canine companions looking and feeling good.

As it turns out, the pandemic is no different.

"I joke now. Oh, my God. Now we know we're pandemic-proof, too,which is strange," Cameron said. "I mean, we're so fortunate."

Clients were coming into the groomers with newly adopted dogs, and for some, stay-at-home orders became a great excuse to finally take the plunge and add a fur baby to their family, said co-owner Jackie Boulton.

"I had a customer that came in a couple of weeks ago, I haven't seen her in over 10years," Boulton said. "She just got a new dog. So it's been great."

During the pandemic, they hired a dog washer for their busiest season: Christmas. But, it never slowed after the holidays so that dog washer has stayed on.

Now, Boulton saidthey needto add a newgroomer to their existing roster, and can't find an experienced candidate to hire. Other grooming businesses,Boulton said, are in the same boat.

In pre-pandemic times, spring and summer would bebusyfor these businesses. Now, Boulton doesn't know what the next few months will bring.

"I kind of wonder as the weather warms up, which is typically a super busy time of year anyway ... I'm like, can it possibly get any busier?" Boulton said.

The best approach for dog owners, Cameron and Boulton said, is to book the next cut appointment as soon as their dog is done at the salon. That way they can get a cut in when they want to.

At Mucky Pups, the cancellation wait-list is growing every day, and other groomers are seeing that too.