PIF launches quality assurance standard

The Pet Industry Federation (PIF) is launching a quality assurance standard for groomers to lift public confidence in the grooming industry. Recent media coverage of tragedies in grooming salons has cast a dark shadow over the entire sector, with damaging aspersions cast about groomers’ concern for the safety and wellbeing of animals, says the PIF. The British Dog Groomers’ Association (BDGA) and the PIF say they have now recognised that the grooming industry has never been subject to the same scrutiny that is applied to pet retailers selling pets, or kennels and catteries boarding animals.
“The PIF realises that a bold move is needed to counteract the negative press groomers have recently experienced, and what better than to robustly demonstrate just how safe, caring and professional groomers are through an industry-agreed quality assurance standard,” says Nigel Baker, chief executive of the PIF.
A working party of members of the BDGA has helped the federation secretariat devise a standard which provides BDGA members with the opportunity to be professionally audited and then to proudly display the assurance logo and certificate on successful completion. The standard consists of an independent audit of the grooming business, covering areas such as animal welfare, staff training, equipment, health & safety and customer care. Groomers also take an online assessment to measure their technical competence. Extra star ratings are achieved on an evidence basis: the more accomplished a groomer is, the more stars they will receive.