Bella, the fury Shih Tzu, calmly sits on a seat in the back room of Shaggy Chic while six other four-legged friends scurry beneath her.
“She’s getting a full treatment today,” said business owner Kimmy Smith with a smile while trimming Bella’s fur.
More than $62 billion was spent by U.S. pet owners in 2016 according to the American Pet Products Association, which includes food, medical attention, toys, boarding, treats, and grooming.
The Toledo region has more than 15 pet grooming businesses that provide services for those furry friends including baths, nail trimmings, haircuts, ear cleanings, and anal gland expressions.
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Ms. Smith said her business grooms as many as 20 dogs each day, and trims the toenails of other animals such as rabbits. On any given day, she’ll have Yorkshire Terriers, Goldendoodles, and a Newfoundland playing together in her grooming section of Shaggy Chic as they wait for a haircut or bath.
“Big and little, all breeds, all sizes, everything,” she said. “I don’t turn a dog away.”
One can’t help wondering where all of the trimmed hair goes other than into the trash.
Ms. Smith said years ago she donated dog hair to the state of Florida to assist with an oil spill, as well as having customers ask to use hair to put in their gardens to keep away rabbits and squirrels.
Head over to Scally-Wag Grooming, 5007 N. Summit St., Toledo, and the beautification process continues.
On a recent Tuesday, Scally-Wag Grooming LLC owner Kayla Ozuk is seen giving Callie, a Whippet, a bath.
Ms. Ozuk said her grooming business goes through about one gallon of shampoo and conditioner each month keeping those fur babies clean.
She said her business services nearly 50 dogs each week, as well as various cats and occasionally rabbits.
It’s the interaction with the animals Ms. Ozuk enjoys most on a daily basis.
“I get to play with animals all day,” she said.
While Ms. Smith was finishing clipping Bella’s hair back at Shaggy Chic, 1929 W. Sylvania, she said business at this time of year is always on the rise because of the end of cold weather.
As the multiple Shi Tzus and Yorkshrie Terriers scamper around the room, Ms. Smith presents a believable statement.
“It’s that time of year, besides Christmas being one of the busiest times for grooming,” Ms. Smith said. “Everyone is coming in.”
Contact Geoff Burns at gburns@theblade.com or 419-724-6054.
First Published April 15, 2018, 12:29 a.m.
