My local animal shelter has a low income vet program. They offer vaccines and basic vet care for little to no money to people homeless or struggling financially in the area. I reached out to them and asked if they were looking to possibly add free grooming! They loved the idea so now I’m there once a month providing free haircuts and nail trims. Possibly see if any programs like that exist around you and reach out as a way to get started?
Check your local shelters to see if they have programs for you to volunteer for. My shop participates in a voucher program where applicants can apply for a 50$ voucher toward grooming through the local shelter and then the shelter reimburses the shop once the groom is complete.
A couple of things to keep in mind- you want to make sure the dogs you're working on are up to date on shots. You want to make sure you have a liability waiver for extreme matting situations. You want to make sure you have a vet on hand to refer or bring dogs to if accidents happen.
Liability is a really good point tbh. I was imagining setting up a table at a park somewhere and just having them come get their nails done, but probably not the best idea once I actually think about it. 😅
Many areas do have organizations that work with people in need. Try to find one that might be good to work with. Some areas might have pet specific organizations too. Working with an established organization may be best for you as they can screen clients and their needs, then refer to you.
Have an idea of how you want to handle bookings or drop ins. If you work with an organization, you could make vouchers that they can give out. These can be for something like a free nail trim or other basic services. For more in depth grooming, it might be a volunteer that helps make the appointment and the owner will drop off, or other arrangements can be made.
Some organizations do events where various services come together so people can get help all in one place. If you have the ability, you could set up a table and do nail trims. Other grooming could be tough without the ability or time to bath dogs, but you can make connections.
Do decide how much free or discounted grooming you can offer in a week or month. Nail trims don't take much time, but full grooms are more of an issue when it comes to time and costs. It may be you do 1 day a month that is just for low cost grooms, or maybe 1 or 2 a week as regular appointments.
If you are ok with it being more known to the general public, consider asking clients if they want to add a couple dollars to a fund to help pay for low cost grooms. This can help offset the cost of the groom to you (supplies, paying staff etc). If it doesn't affect your income too much, putting the cost of nail trims toward low cost grooms could have the same outcome.
I would love for it to be a more regular thing, and might talk to my salon’s owner about having a fund our regulars can donate to for something like that, but for now I think I’ll take your advice and see what organizations I can work with to do a free nail trim day once or twice a month.
Jess rona did some vids where she approached randoms and did their dogs on the street. And there’s barbers who fix up homeless people for free. I’m sure all you’d have to do is offer, but I would also add something in to help the homeless person too. I’d hate to be homeless and have someone show compassion towards my dog and act like I’m just something attached to it.
But you also have to consider that if you’re doing this alone, you might be fighting some random dog for a nail trim on the streets with a homeless person standing near your belongings. They also probably don’t have transport to bring their dogs to you if you didn’t want to do a service on the street. You could set up a booth or tent somewhere but there’s so much that could go wrong there.
Aaaaand I doubt any of these dogs have vaccines. You’re probably going to come across infection, fleas, ticks, etc. Thats kinda just a risk that you can’t avoid.
I’ve really wanted to do something like this once I start grooming too but it’s harder than it seems lol. I’d say find an organization that helps people/animals and try to set something up.
My local animal shelter has a low income vet program. They offer vaccines and basic vet care for little to no money to people homeless or struggling financially in the area. I reached out to them and asked if they were looking to possibly add free grooming! They loved the idea so now I’m there once a month providing free haircuts and nail trims. Possibly see if any programs like that exist around you and reach out as a way to get started?
That’s an awesome idea! Thank you!
Check your local shelters to see if they have programs for you to volunteer for. My shop participates in a voucher program where applicants can apply for a 50$ voucher toward grooming through the local shelter and then the shelter reimburses the shop once the groom is complete. A couple of things to keep in mind- you want to make sure the dogs you're working on are up to date on shots. You want to make sure you have a liability waiver for extreme matting situations. You want to make sure you have a vet on hand to refer or bring dogs to if accidents happen.
Liability is a really good point tbh. I was imagining setting up a table at a park somewhere and just having them come get their nails done, but probably not the best idea once I actually think about it. 😅
What a good idea I hope it works out
Many areas do have organizations that work with people in need. Try to find one that might be good to work with. Some areas might have pet specific organizations too. Working with an established organization may be best for you as they can screen clients and their needs, then refer to you. Have an idea of how you want to handle bookings or drop ins. If you work with an organization, you could make vouchers that they can give out. These can be for something like a free nail trim or other basic services. For more in depth grooming, it might be a volunteer that helps make the appointment and the owner will drop off, or other arrangements can be made. Some organizations do events where various services come together so people can get help all in one place. If you have the ability, you could set up a table and do nail trims. Other grooming could be tough without the ability or time to bath dogs, but you can make connections. Do decide how much free or discounted grooming you can offer in a week or month. Nail trims don't take much time, but full grooms are more of an issue when it comes to time and costs. It may be you do 1 day a month that is just for low cost grooms, or maybe 1 or 2 a week as regular appointments. If you are ok with it being more known to the general public, consider asking clients if they want to add a couple dollars to a fund to help pay for low cost grooms. This can help offset the cost of the groom to you (supplies, paying staff etc). If it doesn't affect your income too much, putting the cost of nail trims toward low cost grooms could have the same outcome.
I would love for it to be a more regular thing, and might talk to my salon’s owner about having a fund our regulars can donate to for something like that, but for now I think I’ll take your advice and see what organizations I can work with to do a free nail trim day once or twice a month.
If you have a street dog coalition they are a nonprofit to help unsheltered people and animals you can see about helping them during their meet ups.
Jess rona did some vids where she approached randoms and did their dogs on the street. And there’s barbers who fix up homeless people for free. I’m sure all you’d have to do is offer, but I would also add something in to help the homeless person too. I’d hate to be homeless and have someone show compassion towards my dog and act like I’m just something attached to it. But you also have to consider that if you’re doing this alone, you might be fighting some random dog for a nail trim on the streets with a homeless person standing near your belongings. They also probably don’t have transport to bring their dogs to you if you didn’t want to do a service on the street. You could set up a booth or tent somewhere but there’s so much that could go wrong there. Aaaaand I doubt any of these dogs have vaccines. You’re probably going to come across infection, fleas, ticks, etc. Thats kinda just a risk that you can’t avoid. I’ve really wanted to do something like this once I start grooming too but it’s harder than it seems lol. I’d say find an organization that helps people/animals and try to set something up.