Vaccination policy

Last updated: 13 October 2026. Part of our terms of service.

What we require

A current rabies vaccination for every dog we groom, shown by the veterinarian's certificate. This is the same record Ontario law already requires every owner to hold. We do not require other vaccines (such as DHPP or bordetella) for grooming in our van, because the dog is groomed alone and never meets other dogs. Boarding, when we offer it, has its own requirements.

Why

Rabies is a fatal disease that spreads from animals to people. In Ontario, the Rabies Immunization regulation (R.R.O. 1990, Reg. 567, under the Health Protection and Promotion Act) requires the owner of a dog, cat or ferret older than three months to have it vaccinated against rabies, and the veterinarian who vaccinates gives the owner a certificate. A groomer can be bitten, so we check the certificate before the visit. Source: Ontario e-Laws, Reg. 567.

How to send it

• Upload a photo of the certificate in your account when you book, or any time before the visit.
• Or ask your vet's office to send it to us.
• The certificate should show the dog's name, the vaccination date, the vaccine's expiry or the duration of validity (one-year or three-year), and the vet clinic.
• We remind you by text and email if the record is missing, and 30 and 7 days before it expires.

Puppies and exemptions

• Puppies under three months: the regulation does not yet require rabies vaccination. Ask us before you book. We often wait until your puppy has had the vaccination so they are protected.
• Medical exemption: if your vet has given a written medical exemption, send it to us. We will review it and may groom with extra precautions. A groomer may decline an unvaccinated dog.

If the record is missing or expired

A groom cannot start without a current record. If we cannot confirm the record before the visit, we text you. If it is still missing on the day, the visit is treated as a late cancellation under our cancellation policy, unless we agree to reschedule. Your record is kept in your account and used only for this check (privacy policy).

If your dog bites

If a dog bites a person, Ontario public health rules require the incident to be reported to the local health unit, and the dog may need to be confined and observed. Your certificate lets us show the dog's vaccination status. We may report bites as the law requires.