Death in the dryer

My friend Shaun Olmstead called the other day and told me to check out The Today Show. Co-host Meredith Vieira was telling the tragic story of a dog that died after being left in a kennel drying machine in a grooming salon. Investigation revealed that the dog had been in a cage dryer which had been set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes, which was too hot and too long for any dog to survive. According to animal experts and animal rights groups, kennel dryers— an electronic box with a heating element used to dry a pet after it has had a bath, are safe if used correctly. Temperatures on these dryers should never exceed 85 degrees.

This incident should be a wake up call to all pet owners to be wary and meticulous in choosing the grooming shops and boarding facilities wherein they leave their beloved pooches. Pet owners must be warned that the pet grooming industry remains unregulated, which is why extra caution should be given when acquiring services from these facilities. Our pets are our responsibility. We should only leave them in the hands of responsible and well trained individuals.

Joey Villani, a judge on Animal Planet’s “Groomer Has It,” shares the following tips on choosing the right pet care facility:

• Request, evaluate and check the credentials of the pet care professional! What is their education/training, their level of experience and expertise? Find out when they graduated from pet styling school and if it was licensed by the state and/or approved by a nationally recognized industry organization.

• Don’t be afraid to ask questions! Are they certified by a nationally recognized industry organization? Are they trained and certified in pet injury prevention, first aid and CPR? How many years have they been a pet care professional?

• Be observant! Request a tour of the facility. Refusal should raise a red flag. Will the cage/crate provide a clean, comfortable, and safe enclosure for your pet? Is the overall facility clean and well maintained? How are they handling and caring for the pets in their facility? Do they use cage dryers? If so, what guidelines govern their use? Do they maintain constant monitoring and safety of the pets while drying?

• Take responsibility!  You are the guardian who must speak for your pet.  If you feel uncomfortable or have misgivings about the facility, then choose another.

Filed under 1 | Edit |