Several years ago in West Hollywood, a local business that that featured pet grooming services was the subject of a lot of scrutiny from members of the animal welfare community, the news media, the City of West Hollywood and the County of Los Angeles.
Following the death of two dogs, an ensuing investigation and government action led to the closing of the business. However, what was most revealing about this episode was how little regulation existed to protect the animal companions left in the care of such businesses.
It was clear at that time that government needed more authority to regulate those businesses that provided services to live animals to ensure that personnel were properly trained to provide safe services and care to the animal companions left in their care.
The City of West Hollywood, at the time, urged the State to enact legislation that would ensure that those entrusted to care for our animal companions were properly trained, certified and regulated.
While it has taken a long time, there is finally a bill, Senate Bill 969 (SB 969), working its way through the legislature.
Unfortunately, it doesn't go far enough, merely establishing a "voluntary certification" program. Groomers will have to complete 900 hours of training to be deemed State certified. However, incremental change is better than no change at all, and for the health and safety of all animal companions in California, SB 969 should be adopted and signed into law by Governor Brown.
Mayor Jeffrey Prang
If Animal Companions were taking themselves in to be groomed, you might need to make sure they were protected from selecting an uncertified groomer. However, I think it’s more likely they’re being escorted by their adult companions. Information is what people need. Perhaps you could ask or even require the grooming businesses in WeHo to prominently post their certifications or a notice of “no certification.” Give adults information and let them take the responsibility for making their own decisions… we’re capable of doing that. All the commenters here so far back that up. Your job is to inform, not to make every decision for us. This is not a community of children or animal companions in your charge; it is a community of adults. As for your desire to run all the businesses in West Hollywood, if they’re not meeting the expectations of informed patrons they won’t stay in business very long. How could you not have learned that from all your years running a business? Oh, I forgot, you’ve never run a business… working in government is your thing. You just like to run other people’s businesses so it’s not your own investment at risk.
Barbara, groomer of 50 years, not 1000 hours.