Matted coats can cause a variety of skin and health problems. Matted fur does not allow for air circulation to the skin causing hot spots, bacterial and fungal infections. Fleas, ticks, maggots, and other parasites may be lurking in the coat causing further skin infections. Matted fur also pulls and binds, causing pain to your pet when they move or lay on mats. The skin underneath can be raw and inflamed. Matted coats will not dry properly and can lead to rotting fur and skin.

Due to the matting, your dog's hair may need to be shaved extremely short to the skin and may show signs of skin irritation and sores due to the matting, wet undercoat, and dirty undercoat. In order to take care of a dog that has not been groomed often enough, and is matted, the required grooming session may be long and stressful.

(Please note, more than 1 grooming session may be required if matting is severe and the dog is overly stressed.)

It is the goal of our salon and our groomers to make your pet's grooming experience as stress free as possible.

Due to the condition of your dog's coat, we have determined that the only humane way to do this is to shave the dog's coat down. This is a short clip, removing all the matting. Where feasible, we work to de-mat/brush out the dog's coat, but only when it would not cause excessive pain and suffering to attempt to do so.

There is a strong chance that your pet's kin will become irritated during the clipping process. We will use a medicated or oatmeal shampoo to help sooth any irritation that may occur. The matted hair rests tightly against the skin and the only way to remove it is to use a short blade clip between the skin and mats. Your dog may possibly get nicked / cut because the groomer has to work so closely to the skin to remove the matted coat. Our groomers are very careful but the possibility of injury exists.

Understanding these risks, our salon is authorized to proceed with the de-matting process.

Please be sure to schedule a follow up appointment to speak with our groomer for the best methods of maintaining your dog's coat.

I hereby release PAWS ON THE PASS and grooming staff from any liability associated with the above mentioned process and any and all medical problems that may be uncovered and/or occur during the stripping and de-matting process.

Should my pet need veterinarian care after or during this process, I agree to pay any and all veterinarian fees.