Pet Grooming in Virginia Beach

Virginia Beach's groomers range from neighborhood salons and pet-store grooming counters to mobile vans that work from your driveway. A full groom usually covers a bath, haircut, nail trim and ear cleaning; most groomers also offer bath-only visits, de-shedding and quick tidy-ups between full grooms.

What Virginia law says about groomers

Virginia's animal care law makes a groomer responsible for giving an animal the care the law requires. If a pet becomes ill or injured while with a groomer, the groomer must provide emergency veterinary treatment; the owner bears the reasonable and necessary cost, unless the injury resulted from the groomer's failure to provide that care or from the groomer's own actions, in which case the groomer pays (Va. Code 3.2-6518).

Experience matters too

A legal duty of care is not a measure of skill, so ask how long the groomer has worked, where they trained and whether they groom your breed often. Before the first visit:

• Tell the groomer about your dog's health, age and temperament.
• Ask how dogs are dried; if a cage dryer is used, someone should check the dog often.
• Ask which vaccines they require, and reschedule if your dog is coughing.
• If the coat is badly matted, ask about a short clip rather than hours of brushing out.

Your dog's city license

All dogs and cats over four months of age must be licensed with the City of Virginia Beach. The City Treasurer issues the license: residents can get a one-, two- or three-year license with evidence of rabies vaccination, and spay or neuter evidence if it applies. Virginia law requires every county and city to tax dog ownership by ordinance (Va. Code 3.2-6528), and a license tag cannot be issued without evidence of rabies vaccination (Va. Code 3.2-6526). Groomers will ask for proof of rabies vaccination too.

Beach days and storm season

After a day at the Oceanfront or on a bay beach, rinse sand and salt water from your dog's coat and ask your groomer to check between the paw pads. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, and the city's pet preparedness page says that if you must evacuate before a hurricane, your pet should evacuate with you. Groomers often close ahead of a storm, so keep your dog's vaccination records and a recent photo together in your emergency kit.

Summer heat

Book early-morning appointments, never leave your dog in a parked car, and for double-coated breeds such as huskies and shepherds, ask for a de-shed rather than a shave: the undercoat protects them from heat and sunburn.

About these listings

Many listings here were added from public business data and have not been claimed by the business yet. Check hours, prices and services with the groomer directly. If you run one of these businesses, you can claim or correct your listing from its page.