visit to Pets at Home left my dog distressed.
A recent visit to Pets at Home, Barry. I’m sharing this purely to raise awareness. I am not here to talk bad about a business but truly am upset with the distress that was caused for my dog. My dog is a very energetic, curly-haired pup. Her groom had been delayed as she’d recently been unwell, so she had developed some matting. Before the appointment, I spoke to the groomer, who advised she would need to be clipped short, which I agreed to. After about 90 minutes, I collected my dog. She was wearing a “happy hoodie”, and the groomer told me that she had matted ears which had caused haematomas and bleeding when shaved. Both ears were bleeding but had been “managed”. I signed her out and took her home, as she seemed upset. Once home, she was extremely distressed — shaking, hiding in her crate and reluctant to come out. On closer inspection, I found visible cuts in several areas, and her coat had been clipped so short that her skin was showing. Her nails had also not been trimmed. For nearly a week after the groom, she remained withdrawn and frightened, only coming out for food, toileting and short walks. Thankfully, she began to return to her normal self after about a week, but her ears are still healing three weeks later. I raised my concerns with Pets at Home head office. My complaint was referred to the grooming salon, who stated that no wrongdoing had occurred and that haematomas “can happen.” I was told there was no need for vet care as she had been given a happy hoodie. When I asked why I wasn’t contacted when she was bleeding, I was told the haematoma took time to appear — which I still don’t fully understand. The additional abrasions I’d found were also denied. Lastly, I was told due to signing out my dog, this also signed to say I was satisfied with the groom. I was not given time to fully inspect her, and my dog was distressed, I wanted to get her home. Ultimately, I received only a very brief apology, and after numerous emails expressing my concerns with photographs also of the state of her, I was told my complaint was now at its “final position” with the company. I was advised I could contact Citizens Advice if I wished to take it further. Poor care and poorly dealt with.