If you’re looking to have your pet groomed, chances are that you care about your pet enough to want the job to be done well. There are plenty of options when looking for a pet grooming shop, from going to one of the larger pet store chains to small, independent outfits. Choosing the right pet grooming shop can be done with just a little work, and finding the right shop will make not only you happy, but your pet as well. Here’s the steps needed to find a great pet grooming shop:

Ask Around

It should be obvious, but if not, remember that you should turn to friends and family when starting your search for a pet grooming shop, not the yellow pages. Make use of your personal network before turning to the Internet in search of a pet grooming shop. Chances are, you’ll hear from your pet-owning friends not only who can make your pet look great, but also if there’s anyone to avoid, and that’s a benefit you just can’t get from the yellow pages.

A trip to the vet might also help you in your search. Your veterinarian is also a good source of information about pet grooming shops and can similarly help you find a great one. In some cases, your vet’s office will be as far as you need to look, as vets sometimes have in-house grooming professionals to help you maintain your pet’s look. Even if your vet doesn’t have someone to handle the grooming on-site, keep your eyes open while you’re there, and if someone else is around with a great looking pet, ask them where they did the grooming. Don’t be afraid to ask a stranger about their pet grooming shop, because most people are happy to talk about their pets. Even a trip to the park can turn up some information, if you keep your eyes open.

Call The Groomer

Once you’ve got a list of pet grooming shops to choose from, give the groomer or manager a call. A short phone call can help you to determine a lot of useful information, such as how long your groomer has been in business, how they trained, and just how they can help your pet look its best. A simple phone conversation can be enough to give you a good or bad feeling about how a pet grooming shop will be for you. Ultimately, though, you will have to go in and just give a pet grooming shop a try before you make a final decision. But if you’re willing to take the time to talk to a few people while searching for a groomer, chances are you’ll have done enough homework to choose a great pet grooming shop on the first try.