A dog fatally attacked a young Persian cat, Jupi Sparkles, at a professional groomers: Classy K9 Clips. This happened in a drying cage. The operative at the professional groomers (which appears to be mainly for dogs) failed to spot the cat in the cage and appears to have placed a dog with the cat, turned on the drier and left the room so the whole affair was unsupervised, at least initially. That is they way I understand this tragic affair.
I felt so bad. She counted on me to keep her safe and I took her somewhere that I trusted and they killed her…My little kids watched her die… (cat’s owner, Melinda Sparks)
The cat survived the attack and was returned to the owner without anything being said except that the groomers suggested the first time grooming session may have shocked the cat. However, it was soon apparent to the owner that her cat was very poorly and that this was not shock. She acted strangely almost immediately and began foaming at the mouth and was incontinent.
On the way to the vet, she died. The vet asked if she had been attacked by something.
“Has something attacked your cat.” (vet)
Of course the owner had no idea at that stage but when she confronted the manager of the grooming parlour, he admitted the error. He then made a statement to the local television company which I have reproduced below (a screenshot).
The full facts will come out in court if a full hearing has to take place because the grooming parlour is being sued for compensation by the cat’s owner. It is almost certain they will agree compensation.
Lessons learned? Don’t bother with any professional groomers. Why have your cat groomed professionally when all cats groom themselves superbly well all on their own. Why did this lady have her young Persian shorn of fur? What is the point? (note: I accept that sometimes cats can’t groom themselves adequately such as in old age but under these circumstances I’d still avoid a professional groomer). There is also the shock factor. We should avoid putting our cats through stressful situations.
This is not the first time a cat has died at a professional groomers. There have been cases of cats being killed by driers that are too hot or the session was too long.
I am coming to the conclusion that professional groomers are potentially dangerous for cats because the staff are not professionals in the true sense of the word.
Source: Woman says pet groomer killed her cat – 10News.com KGTV ABC10 San Diego
Persians are definitely in a league of their own and do need grooming, clipping etc once every so often to rid them of mats and worse! My daughter’s persian had to be shaved around once a year as she would get very distressed about being brushed. This was done at the vets and I believe it was under anasthetic. She never felt a thing and was in a much safer environment.
Sure cats do a good job of grooming themselves. But, the fact remain that this “groomer” left a cat alone with a dog and it was injured and later died. Plus, they originally lied about it and only made a statement apologizing for it afterwards. The groomer should have been more attentive in this situation. After all..”if” mostly dogs go in. The attendant grooming the cat should be able to recall..that they groomed a “cat” and NOT FORGET that fact. You are right in a way … I would prefer to let my cat groom themselves or do it myself. BUT they did after all lie about it their blatant, irresponsible negliegence. Just saying!!!
Yes, I agree sometimes we have to groom our cats for various reasons. The usual one is old age when a cat cannot groom properly. Then it is down to us to step in but as I say I’d do it myself. I don’t really agree with groomers.
Okay,heres my take,my cat Angus who is now gone from me I had him groomed once a year because he was a long hair and got mats really bad and aye I did try to brush him all the time but I got fed up with my hand getting shredded by him so he first would get some happy juice and then he was good to go to be bathed and shaved,some cats have to be groomed and they dont always clean their own bums,Angus never did and when he would start to smell I would make the appt for him,so thats my take on this!
Couldn’t agree more. I don’t think people realise that there is potential danger at groomers. Perhaps people think they are like vets. They are not. Sometimes cat coats become matted but I’d do the grooming myself if my cat had that problem. You just don’t know what is happening behind closed doors.
Yes I agree,cats do a fabulous job of grooming themselves so why bother taking them to a groomer.just the thought of cats having to go through the whole washing and drying process puts me off and it can’t be fun for them unless its a breed that has to be washed regularly. If you want to take an animal to the groomer for all that treatment buy yourself a dog.