Prep for Perfection

CURRENT VACCINATIONS AND VETERINARIAN INFORMATION

To keep every furry friend safe and healthy, we ask that all dogs are up to date on their mandatory vaccinations, including rabies and distemper. Please provide proof of vaccination before your appointment.

For peace of mind, we may reach out to your pet’s veterinarian to confirm vaccination status. Unfortunately, we won’t be able to provide grooming services without valid proof.

AGGRESSIVE, DANGEROUS, OR ANXIOUS DOGS

For the safety of all pets and our team, please inform the Mercado Pet team if your dog(s) has ever bitten, shown aggression toward people or other dogs, or reacts strongly to specific grooming procedures.

If needed, a muzzle may be used during grooming. Muzzling is safe and helps protect both your dog and our groomers.

Mercado Pet reserves the right to refuse or stop grooming services for aggressive dogs at any time. An aggressive dog fee of $15+ will apply in addition to the regular grooming charge.

Some dogs may also experience anxiety or have difficulty during grooming. To ensure their safety and comfort, an additional care fee of $15+ may be applied for extra time and attention.

We understand this may be unexpected and appreciate your understanding. Our goal is to provide a safe, calm, and positive grooming experience for every furry friend!

HEALTH OR MEDICAL PROBLEMS & SENIOR DOGS

Grooming can sometimes be stressful, especially for senior dogs or dogs with health concerns. Certain procedures may uncover hidden issues or aggravate existing medical conditions during or after the groom.

To ensure their safety and comfort, senior dogs or dogs with health problems will be groomed primarily for cleanliness and comfort, with styling adjusted to minimize stress.

MATTING

Dogs with matted coats require extra care during grooming. Mats left in a dog’s coat will only tighten over time and can constrict the skin or even tear it. For the safety and comfort of your dog, our team prioritizes comfort over appearance and will not continually attempt to de-mat a dog.

Removing heavy mats can be challenging and may require shaving. This process carries some risks, including nicks, cuts, or abrasions due to warts, moles, or skin folds trapped in the mats. Mats can also trap moisture or urine against the skin, which may lead to mold, fungus, or bacterial growth, causing irritation. In severe cases, mats can tear the skin, potentially leading to infections or maggots.

After mat removal, dogs may experience itchiness, redness, self-inflicted irritations, or delayed hair regrowth. Shaved dogs are also more prone to sunburn and should either have sunscreen applied daily or be kept out of direct sunlight until their coat regrows. Some dogs may also show temporary behavioural changes.

An extra fee of $1 per minute will apply for de-matting services. Prevention is the best defense against matting, so regular grooming appointments are highly recommended.

Please note: We will always do our best to remove mats, but severely matted dogs may not achieve the grooming outcome you expect. Our groomers reserve the right to discontinue services if necessary to prevent pain or stress.

ACCIDENTS

While we take every precaution, grooming involves the use of sharp equipment, and there is always a small risk of accidents, such as cuts, nicks, or scratches. These incidents can occur if a dog moves or wiggles during the grooming process.

Our team will always do their best to ensure your dog is groomed safely. However, an excited or uncooperative dog may pose a risk, and in such cases, we reserve the right to end the grooming session, even if it is not fully completed.

Your dog’s safety and well-being are our top priorities, and every effort will be made to provide a calm, safe grooming experience.

PARASITES

All pets must be on preventive parasite treatments prior to their grooming appointments. If you suspect your dog has fleas or ticks, prompt and thorough treatment is essential and upcoming appointment will be rescheduled. 

If fleas or ticks are discovered during grooming, an additional fee of $30 will apply to properly address the issue. Please note that Mercado Pet does not use pesticide dips or sprays. Ticks will be removed for an extra charge, and we strongly recommend testing your dog for Lyme disease if ticks are found.

Parasites are a health risk to both your dog and humans, so timely prevention and treatment are important.

HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT

By booking with us, you acknowledge and agree that Mercado Pet, its owners, staff, and affiliates are not responsible for any injuries, damages, losses, or veterinary bills related to your dog(s) or your property that may occur during or as a result of grooming services or other products provided by Mercado Pet. This includes any conditions your dog may have, whether known or unknown.

You also agree that the terms of this agreement may change at any time without notice, and updated terms will supersede any previous agreements.

This agreement applies to all dogs groomed at Mercado Pet.

Friendly Reminders:

🕒 LATE PICK-UP

• Dogs must be picked up within 15 minutes of their estimated grooming time.
• $5.00 per 15 minutes late fee applies.
• All charges are due at pickup.

🚨 ABANDONMENT

• Abandoned pets will be reported to Toronto Animal Services.
• Abandonment means relinquishing all ownership rights.

❌ NO SHOWS & CANCELLATIONS

• Last-minute cancellations or no-shows: $15 per dog, applied to next appointment.
• Emergencies are understandable, but repeated cancellations cannot be accepted.
• Arriving 15+ minutes late may result in losing your appointment.