MUTT ADO about grooming

Bengaluru is witnessing a ‘purr’adigm shift of sorts! Don’t believe us? Meet namma ooru’s young folk who’re seriously considering a vocation, which entails a good cuddle-session with adorable mutts — and are getting paid for it too! Yes, you read that right: a lot of youngsters are taking up detailed professional pet grooming courses. Through a candid chat with practitioners, we dive deeper into the trend.

“I remember taking my Labrador for some pampering, when the idea was not that popular. A short grooming session cost me a whopping Rs 9,000! Surprisingly, there were still a couple of owners who had come along that made me wonder, if people are okay shelling out exorbitant amounts on grooming, how brilliantly would the idea fare had it been economically priced? And the next thing I knew was that I decided to enroll for a course,” reveals Kaveri Bhatt, a young pet groomer in town.     

She recently set up her own venture, Brush and Bones. While her job perks include frolicking with pets of all kind, the animal lover reiterates how it’s certainly not all play, “The reason I chose to do this is because I believe pet owners must make hygiene and timely maintenance for their pets a priority, without having to pay through the nose. While it’s a fun job, I hope the essence of the idea doesn’t go amiss.”

Albeit, the trend is still at a nascent stage, Bengalureans are ready to ride the wave and give it their all. “A lot of people here own exotic breeds like Shih Tzus, Saint Bernanrds and Cocker Spaniels etc. These dogs need special care, and if they are living with you, owners are proactive enough to give them their due, which is vital for their healthy survival,” opines Ashita Mathews, a 35-year-old pet groomer who runs wags and wiggles, and also offers courses to youngsters interested in the same.

She adds, “I’ve always loved giving my dogs a good shower and brushing. And when done, I’d voluntarily go and clean my neighbour’s pets! That’s when I  stopped doing this as a hobby and decided to make a living out of it!”

For Prateek Bilagali Ashok, a 29-year-old techie turned pet groomer, it was about giving his undivided attention to his passion. “Coming out o--+f my IT firm post five years and making grooming as a profession has personally been one of the most fulfilling decisions in my life. My word of advice to genuine pet lovers would be to give this a shot, not for the money but for the experience because pets are great customers and show you gratitude for your service more than human beings,” he quips.  

Concluding how the professional angle is a burgeoning trend, Lopa Saika, a 28-year-old pet groomer warns that the doggy business is a serious one, which demands commitment and a natural aptitude “You have to ensure that the pet is safe, comfortable and sent back looking amazing. And that is hard work! It is beyond just a bath. You’ll also need to educate people and be answerable. Take it up only if you’re willing to go the extra mile.”