Matted Coats Policy

Animal Welfare Act - To Prevent Animals Suffering

Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on people to ensure they take reasonable steps in all the circumstances to meet the welfare needs of their animals to the extent required by good practice.

This includes:

• need for a suitable environment

• need for a suitable diet

• need to be able to exhibit normal behaviour patterns

• need to be housed with, or apart, from other animals

• need to be protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease

Canine Design ensure your pet does not endure any pain or suffering in our care.

Dealing with Matted Dogs

If your dog is matted, under no circumstances will we put them through any pain or discomfort. We will not spend longer than 20 minutes grooming out a matted coat, as this is cruel and uncomfortable for your dog. In addition to this we are legally obliged to work within the constraints of the Animal Welfare Act, considering your dog’s welfare at all times.

If you bring your dog to us with a coat in a neglected, matted state; please be prepared for it to look very different on collection. The majority of dogs love coming to our salon because they have an enjoyable, pain free time when they are with us, and this is how we would like it to stay. Remember, it is your responsibility to brush your own dog.

Therefore, matted coats will have to be clipped off. Prior to clipping off we will require your permission. It is much more beneficial for your dog’s welfare and the condition of your dog’s coat to clip it off and start again.

Brushing out a matted coat, in addition to being cruel, damages the coat. This means it is much more likely to matt up again, causing more problems for you and pain for your dog. Clipping off and growing the coat back in maintains a much better quality and stronger coat in the long run.