There is nothing like an adorable cat or dog to make us say “Awww, how cute!” Big or small, short and fuzzy or long and furry – pets fill up our hearts and make us smile.
Pets are beloved family members who grace our lives with unconditional love. They can also be canine soldiers, police dogs, and therapy companions. Their role in society has changed. As a result, we spend more money on training them and keeping them healthy. They give us so much joy, so we try to return the favor by giving them goodies, clothes, and toys.
Some argue that too many pets today are spoiled and over-indulged. The pet industry is a six billion dollar a year machine, and the average cost to care for a pet for their entire life is about $20,000.00. Instead of an old tattered rubber ball, some dogs today have a plethora of toys, clothes and coats, homemade treats, and soft beds for sleeping.
Likewise, the modern sophisticated cat (and we all know at least one), which may have started out her life in a rescue shelter now has high rise towers to climb on that can sometimes take over an entire living space, elaborate scratching posts, and a myriad of toys to bat around.
Our area has caring groomers whose passion is to help our pets look and feel their best. They take pride in their training, skills, and experience. Their clients, both human and furry, cherish them and the quality services they provide.
Below is a list of several area grooming businesses that readers will find helpful, especially those that are just moving to the area or for new pet owners looking for a groomer. All groomers, listed in alphabetical order, encourage making an appointment but walk-ins are sometimes accepted.
Housed in the former Canine Design space in the shopping plaza next to the Stonington Police Station on Rt. 1, Bark Place is one-year old, but its owner Jim Battaglia previously had a grooming business in Florida for 25 years. His philosophy is to treat pets like they are family.
He’s designed his services as an “all-inclusive pet grooming salon and spa,” and has a wide range of services including bathing, blow drying, haircut, nail and teeth care, shedless treatment, power drying (which means pets are not kennel dried), blueberry facial scrubs, hydro therapy baths that massage and relax, and he uses top of the line products. Sounds so good you’d probably want to jump in the bath with your dog, but alas, only four footed furry creatures allowed!
Bark Place will accept cat clients as soon as a cat groomer is on board so stay tuned!
Owner Cyndi Lyon has been a dog groomer in the same location for 28 years. Cyndi caters to special needs pets who are nervous, frightened, and don’t like to be around other dogs. Cyndi is a cheerful person who has great relationships with her clients. She provides free hot oil treatments to help moisturize the skin, flea and tick treatments, haircuts, and baths. In her retail area offers treats, toys, coats, collars, natural treats and grooming tools.
Her business is easy to find on Rt. 1 in Mystic, almost directly across from Dunkin’ Donuts at Avery Crossing.
Grooming with Linda at Scavello’s Pet Supplies
Owner Linda Scavello, and her sisters, have been in business for ten years. Linda grooms both dogs and cats, so cat owners – take note! Services include bathing and nail care, among other grooming services. Besides a devoted clientele, she also has a retail operation on site which includes handmade pet attire, pet birthday cakes, and other interesting sundries.
Owner, Teresa Cornell has been grooming dogs for 27 years. Groomingdales is a light-yellow building behind VCA Turco Animal Hospital. It can’t be seen from the road so pull into the vet’s parking lot and go around back. She provides bathing, grooming, nail care and ear cleaning to many canine clients.
Darla Connelly and her husband Jay Presser are the proprietors. Darla is a National Certified Master Groomer and has been in business for ten years. They care for dogs and cats and provide bathing, haircuts, nail cutting, de-shedding, hot oil treatments, facials, teeth care, hand scissoring, and more. They also provide dog walks and pet sitting.
Owner Robin O’Donnell and associate Anna Labbe are not only Certified Master Groomers but have also won awards in the field. The business is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The Pink Poodle Parlor specializes in small dogs. Most of the business is maintenance grooming, meaning dogs have regular appointments to keep them looking cute and adorable at all times. They bathe, blow dry, do haircuts, blueberry facials, dog pedicures, and have special shampoo and conditioner packages. The Pink Poodle Parlor also donates to the Westerly Animal Shelter.
Owner Robert Scott has been in business since 1974. This family business does double duty as a kennel and a grooming service for dogs. They provide bathing and dips, haircuts, teeth, nail, and ear cleaning services.
So, there you have it – several great places you can take your cat or dog to get prettied, poofed, and perfected!
