How Has Covid 19 Pandemic Affected Mobile Grooming Industry

How Has the Covid-19 Pandemic Af fected the Mobile Pet Grooming Industry

By Amy Slav

Shown: Ultra Groom Van—Maximum Fuel Economy and Lower Operating Costs

As a pet care professional or business owner, how are you positioning yourself or your business for future success? COVID-19 has only accelerated the already growing trend of the convenient at-home service that mobile pet grooming provides. Pet parents are spending more time with their pets, and restrictions on normal day-to-day activities have caused demand for mobile grooming to skyrocket.

The most recent American Pet Products Association’s National Pet Owners Surveys shares that there are approximately 63.4 million households in the U.S. with at least one dog (89.7 million total dogs) and about 42.7 million households with at least one cat (94.2 million total cats). That is a lot of pets across the country that need to be taken care of.

These initial and ongoing restrictions

have forced many businesses to shut down since the beginning of the pandemic, and many customers have been unable to get their pets groomed in the traditional salon setting.

According to PetGroomer.com Magazine, “Customers have faced inconveniences too. Some groomers went out of business. Estimates range from 2,000 to 4,000 businesses. At GroomerTALK Community, members report businesses that have closed or did not reopen, yet they also report new businesses opening, most often new mobile operations.”

Zoya Thomas, owner of Shear Luxury Mobile Pet Grooming in California, noted that “Since the start of the pandemic, phone calls have been way up asking for mobile grooming services. She also mentioned that she has “a close friend that has recently switched from a shop to mobile and she absolutely loves it.” leads per month, and around 70 new client calls a day. The new business we’ve gained from COVID-19 has now become regular repeat business,” reports fleet owner, Chris Ansevin of Happy Spa Dogs Mobile Pet Grooming.

Pet parents are analyzing the stationary salon concept since the pandemic hit. They are re-evaluating the process of getting their pets out the door, into the their cars, driving to the salons and back home, then having to return to pick them up hours later to take them home again. No wonder the convenience of mobile grooming is attractive to them, and they will gladly pay premium prices for it.

Mobile pet care easily conforms with zero human-to-human contact and social distancing pandemic requirements, giving mobile groomers the opportunity to work and providing pets the critical care required to stay happy and healthy.

It is truly a win-win for the pet groomer, the pet parent, and most importantly, the pet!

After asking one of our customers what they would say to other salons consider-

Mobile pet care businesses are providing pet care professionals job security they otherwise might not have had, as well as giving pet owners the opportunity and convenience for their pets to be taken care of during these trying times.

ing adding a mobile grooming service, Tammy Fresh, owner of Fresh Cuts from Ohio stated, “Do it, I gained a bunch of clients by adding a mobile unit.”

Mobile grooming is ideal for the pandemic and beyond. Pet parents love the convenience and safety. Pets love the low-stress environment and the one-onone attention they get from their groomer.

Groomers also love the low-stress pets, the freedom to set their own schedule, grooming fewer dogs and making more money. Mobile pet grooming is truly booming with no end in sight.

For more information about the mobile pet grooming industry and how it might be right for you, call Wag’n Tails Mobile Conversions (800-513-0304). ◄