Policies & Studio Guidelines
Created to support a calm, positive grooming experience
At Gentle Paws Grooming, our policies are designed to maintain a quiet, one-on-one environment where every dog or cat receives thoughtful, individualized care. We appreciate your understanding and partnership in helping us keep this experience calm and safe for everyone.
Home Studio Environment
Gentle Paws Grooming is a private home grooming studio located in O’Fallon, Illinois (off Hartman Lane near Calvary Church).
Appointments are scheduled by request, and the studio address is provided once your appointment is confirmed. This helps us maintain client privacy, respect our neighbors, and create a calm, peaceful grooming environment for every pet in our care.
Health & Vaccination Requirements
For the safety of all pets:
Dogs and cats must be current on rabies vaccination as required by Illinois law and be free from contagious illness or parasites at the time of their appointment.
Appointment & Rescheduling
Appointments are reserved specifically for your pet to ensure one-on-one attention.
We kindly ask for at least 24 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule. Because each appointment time is set aside exclusively for your pet, cancellations made with less than 24 hours’ notice — including missed appointments — will result in a 100% cancellation fee of the scheduled service.
A 50% deposit is required to secure first-time appointments. Deposits are applied toward the final service total and become non-refundable within 24 hours of the scheduled appointment.
Arrival Time
To maintain a relaxed schedule for all pets:
Please arrive on time for your appointment. Arrivals more than 15 minutes late may need to be adjusted or rescheduled to preserve the calm flow of the day. If an appointment cannot proceed due to late arrival, the cancellation policy may apply.
Behavior & Safety
We specialize in calm, patient handling and welcome pets who benefit from a quieter setting.
For safety reasons, services may be paused or adjusted if a dog or cat is experiencing significant stress or poses a risk to themselves or the groomer. Charges will apply for the portion of the service completed. Additional time required for behavioral support may result in an adjustment to pricing.
Coat Condition & Matting
Your pet’s comfort is always our top priority.
If a coat is significantly matted, shaving may be the safest and comfortable option. Gentle Paws Grooming does not perform excessive or painful de-matting. Additional time required for coat care may result in additional charges.
We are always happy to discuss coat maintenance plans to help prevent matting in the future.
Our Commitment
Every policy exists to protect the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of the pets in our care. Thank you for supporting a grooming experience that prioritizes patience, respect, and thoughtful handling.
