Anonymous
map-marker Fort Myer, Virginia

Petsmart injured my dog. Twice.

I have a 12 year old chocolate lab who has been groomed by the same groomer every three months since he was a puppy. With his old age, and a serious blow out of his undercoat, I thought the furminator treatment at petsmart would buy me some extra time between groomings.

I brought him in, where they looked him over to make sure he was clear of any injuries, and then left for an hour and a half while he had the treatment done. When I picked him up, he was panting, whining, and pulling on the leash to leave, which I chalked up to him being in a new place. I took a picture of my freshly groomed dog to send to my mother, and it wasn't until the next day when he woke up with his eye swollen shut that I again reviewed the picture and saw that his eye had looked irritated when I picked him up. I called petsmart, where they told me to bring him to the vet, and if the vet found them responsible, they would cover the vet bill.

The vet diagnosed him with a severe ulcerated cornea from either a fingernail or a saline eye drop bottle, (the groomer told me they flush their eyes before and after every grooming in case they get a hair in their eye.) the vet found the groomer to be responsible, and the manager paid the vet bill along with the cost of 2 antibiotics and an ointment for the ulceration.

I was disappointed the woman wouldn't admit what she had done until after I filed a report, but was pleased with the quick response and professional handling of the situation. Two days later, all of the hair on my dogs back end was falling out. Hot spots. Three of them.

One the size of a dinner plate. Another rush to the vet, where they shaved him and found abrasions consistent with an aggressive brushing with a sharp deshedding tool. Again, the vet found the groomer at fault, but this time, the manager basically told me to *** off and that a hot spot could occur from a number of things. I agree, only my dog is 12 and has never had a hot spot in his life.

5 days after bringing my dog to petsmart, he is on 5 medications, which is unreal to me considering my dog has never been to the vet for anything other than vaccines since he was 12 weeks old.

My dog is in an immense amount of pain physically, while I suffer emotionally knowing my best friend was abused by someone I trusted to make him comfortable. I will no longer bring my dog to petsmart for groomings or anything else, for that matter.

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Loss:
$145
2 comments
Guest

Ty sooo much for sharing ur experience, awful as it was. I was thing about doing that treatment and now def won't thx to you.

Guest

I also took my dog to the Petsmart hotel for 4 days and he came back with a hot spot on his face that no one could tell me how it happened. I saw it immediately after picking him up and they were trying to play it off as if not happened or it was nothing.

My dog is 3 years old and the only time he had a hotspot on his face it was when another dog attacked. The manager was no help and said those were very common and dogs have them all the time.

I am taking my dog to the vet today and calling corporate office. My baby will never go back there again.

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watchenewe T
map-marker San Francisco, California

My Puppy had to be put to sleep, because of Petsmart Grooming

We came in from out of town and went to Petsmart on Nellis in Las Vegas and got our 5 month Jack Russell Terrior "weezie" groomed. She was barking up a storm not being a happy camper, but I figured she needs to learn.

I was told to pick her up in a couple of hours. Two hours passed and she was not ready, I was told to wait 45 more minutes. When she was ready, Weezie was very calm. The groomer said she finally got used to the groomer.

I took her home and an hour later she had a seizure. I immediately called the groomer and they said that sometimes a puppy could have a seizure if it was really stressful, but to watch her and bring her in the morning if she has another. The store was closed when Weezie had her second seizure. She had them all night one every hour.

In the morning I called Bansfield and told them what happened and they said to bring her right in. When I got to Petsmart there was the tech that handed me Weezie. She told me she saw that Weezie had a seizure and told her supervisor Melissa. So when I got to Bansfield, I spoke with the receptionist and she said that Melissa came and asked her if puppies could get seizures.

Being a receptionist she did not get the doctor she instead told Melissa that puppies do not get seizures. This was all new information to me, no one informed me of the seizures until then. I went in and spoke to the doctor and asked what is going on, my dog was fine yesterday and today she is having a seizure every hour. I questioned the care that was given at the groomer, possibly got dropped or she could of eaten something.

The doctor said no, it looked like distemper, and was beyond what they can do at Bansfield. So I was referred to another hospital which we went and they wanted to hospitalize her and try to treat her with more medication. I asked if they could give her medication so we could get home. They did.

This morning we went to our vet by our home. Her respiratory had been compromised and the seizures had taken its toll on our poor Weezie and there was nothing they could do but she could go into ICU somewhere else but that would just buy a little time. The doctor said it was way too late and she would probably not survive. So we put her to sleep.

She was only 5 months old.

Word of caution. Know where your dog is when they are getting groomed, Petsmart takes them behind closed doors. I found out they have a cage where they put the dogs in to be dried. The techs do not use their judgment on warning you if something has gone wrong to your pet, as what happened in our case.

Take your pet to a less of a over crowed environment.

You never know, it can happen to you! I no longer have a happy little puppy named Weezie and I do blame Petsmart as part of the problem my little puppy had.

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Loss:
$400
4 comments
Guest

Good Lord! Jack Russells make perfectly good family dogs.

As with any breed, get your dog from a reputable breeder or rescue. Generalizations help no one, certainly not the dogs.

That said, distemper does have an incubation period and does NOT present that quickly.

Guest

I'm soooooo sorry for your lost. And thank you so much for sharing.

Guest

if your dog had distemper she already had it when she went into grooming as there is an incubation period. grooming had nothing to do with it.

John N Mzy

Jack Russell's are notorious for having all kinds of strange problems. Do a search under "Jack Russell terriers"and "health problems".

We had one and it was sick with something most of his life. We finally put him down, not because of the health problems, but because of behavior problems, eg., suddenly growling and attacking people out of nowhere. Personally, I would not recommend this breed to anyone who doesn't know how to defend themselves.

Definitely not for a home with children. Very problematical breed.

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Anonymous

Petsmart in Hanover NJ

I allowed my dog to stay at this hotel. She smelled horrible including the dog collar (like she had been laying around in her own waste). My dog also had a red eye that definitely wasn't there before. Additionally, she had a bleeding mouth. Furthermore, I could clearly see that she had lost weight while I was on vacation. When she came home, my dog usually is really happy or energetic, however, my dog was depressed and gloomy. I definitely wouldn't recommend this hotel to any one and I definitely will never let my dog go there again at this hotel.
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Anonymous
map-marker Concord, California

Grooming services concord,ca petsmart. left cotton in dogs ears

went to grooming services at petsmart concord, ca. on friends recommendation.

when we get there with 2 dogs and appt for both, was asked if 2nd dog was also getting was. but showed up early cause it was 1st time there so i figured paperwork. seemed like we inconvenienced them by showing up 15 minutes early. both dogs not done same time.

get rotty 7 month old puppy home, 3 pm. while playing with pup about 8:30 pm noticed something wiith his ears.

found cotton balls still n his ears 5 1/2 hours after pick up. Whats up with that.

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2 comments
Guest

You did inconvenience them by coming early for the appointment. An early arrival means time is taken away from providing service to a pet that came in for an earlier appointment ,in order to assist you.

Also, what took you so long to check your puppy's ears? The associate was trying to protect your baby from ear infection by ensuring that he didn't get water in his ear canal.

Guest

That is a human error not a corporation practices' complaint. Get over it.

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Anonymous
map-marker Syracuse, New York

Petsmart is what happend...

Petsmart sold me a leopard gecko that every time it sheds, ITS TOE BLEEDS FOR 2 FREAKING WHOLE DAYS!!! Also when I went back to that same petsmart, The lady in the reptile section said that they sometimes drop the geckos and step in their feet during shipment.. I was angry.... I filed a complaint to the manager and got another leopard gecko for free still owning the bleeding one... The one that they gave me has eye issues.. And he strikes his reptile carpet next to his food.. I feel bad for the little guys ._. Blah Blah Blah Blah for the 100 word count...
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Loss:
$14
1 comment
Guest

I just witnessed confusion

Diann Otx
map-marker Conyers, Georgia

Injured dog at groomer

Abiut a year ago, a maltese puppy I sold to a friend, took the puppy to pet smart groomers for a cut. He was told thepup would be ready at about 2, he called to check on it and they explained that it would be late due to volume and come back about at closing and he would be ready. When he picked him up they hurried up the paperwork and handed the dog to tried to rush him out. He said the dog looked uncomfortable and looked him over. He found a severe cut on the inner side of the leg. Employees were playing dumb. He asked whey they did not take it to the net 10 feet away to get taken care of. Still stupitidy. He ended up taking it to a emergency clinic and had 6 stiches. The next day the groomer operation agreed to pay the bills on it, which they did do, but with no real reason as to what happened. One employee said they were no allowed to talk about it. After this experience the pup has been very agressive to new people. Watching the way they handle dogs I recomend never take your precious pup to these clowns.
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3 comments
Guest

The store manager would have helped the pet parent.

I'm not sure why you are involved since you SOLD THE PUPPY to a friend.

John N Mzy

Are your serious? Paying money to have a mutt's hair cut? Lord, what have we become in this country?

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of John N Mzy

Your an ***

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Anonymous

PETSMART - HURT MY DOG - MALTESE

PETSMART - HURT MY DOG - MALTESE
PETSMART - HURT MY DOG - MALTESE - Image 2
PETSMART - HURT MY DOG - MALTESE - Image 3

I have a Cooker Spaniel and a Maltese. Took both of them for grooming I told them I wanted my Cooker Spaniel to be short all over sense I love in Florida she needs short hair... I went to pick her up and all they did is her hair... no ears cleaned... no nails trimmed. For 80 dollars??? ridiculous... her face was the same her ears where not brushed... horrible!!!

After this I took my Maltese that had very long hair... for them to cut it medium/short... he came home almost bold! and no only that but with this paw and his let cut... right now he has an infection on his wound... I went there the girl that did his hair treated me like a lier... ??? Mananger didnt do anything... saying that I had to check my dog before I leave the store????

I got home and he was hurt....

Personnel SUCK!!! they do not know how to treat animals... for me my dogs are like my kids... I am never coming back...

And I am putting a bigggg complaint...

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2 comments
Guest

Haven't you people been listening?? Places like PetCo and PetSmart are injuring and killing pets because people are not qualified to groom them!

Geez! Open your ears and listen a bit! Take your animal to a reputable groomer if you love them as much as you say you do. I would never, ever, even on a dare, take one of my precious pets to either one of those places.

I love my babies too much for that.

Sounds to me like you picked the cheapest place for your pet to be groomed and now are complaining when its not done right. Do me a favor, give the dogs to someone who cares.

Guest

Pet SMart in Downey, CA caused a minor injury to my dog. They then brushed it off when I complained.

I will never return there!!!

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Xitlaly Hif
map-marker Charlotte, North Carolina

Extremely rude employees in a grooming office

For the pas 3 years PetSmart grooming office was only one that I was taking my dogs to. But last Sunday I had to go and take my dog to get her nails cut and while I was waiting to check in and after during she was having her nails cut I was watching and listening employees and I WAS SHOCKED! One lady that was working with a large dog that has a hair, not fur was so rude to the poor animal! Dog had a white coat and it was really easy to see that she slightly cut behind his ear, while she was brushing a dogs hair on his face she was saying " I am so done with you!" And way she was brushing poor dog she was actually hurting him ( he had some tangles and she was starting with roots instead of the ends and was pooling really hard! I wouldn't ever want my dog being treated same way that dog was treated! I think after 3 years being a loyal customer I will look for a new place to take my dog for grooming. By the way, it happened in Charlotte, NC
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1 comment
Guest

Sigh. Pet parents will never get it.

Walker Rwd
map-marker Onalaska, Wisconsin

Awful groomers, lying employees, mis-managed manager at PetSmart Onalaska Wi

AWFUL!!!! TOOK MY DOG TO BE GROOMED AND THEY DID EVERY THING I ASKED THEM NOT TO DO!! IT'S LIKE GOING TO A HAIR SALON FOR A TRIM AND GETTING SHAVED BALD! THEY PRETENDED TO LISTEN TO ME, PRETENDED TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN CUT MY DOG TO LOOK LIKE A POODLE AND HE IS AN OUTDOOR DOG WHO HUNTS AND STAYS IN A KENNEL! IT IS GROSS!!! THE PERSONNEL THERE ARE AWFUL FROM THE GROOMER TO THE MANAGERS. GROOMERS LIED TO THEIR MANAGER, FALSIFIED INFORMATION ON THEIR COMPUTER ON WHAT I REQUESTED THE GROOMER TO DO. NEVER APOLOGIZED AND BLAMED ME FOR THIER LACK OF SKILL! I TOOK ONE LOOK AT MY DOG AND ALMOST CRIED, THAT IS HOW AWFUL THIS WAS. MANAGER CALLED - NO APOLOGY, SAID SHE NEEDED TO BELIEVE WHAT HER GROOMER SAID! lIKE i WOULD TELL THE GROOMER TO CUT MY DOGS TAIL WITH NO HAIR ON IT AND A TUFF ON THE END WHEN WE HUNT OUR DOG AND HE IS AN OUTDOOR DOG. ARE THEY NUTS - I THINK SO. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR, STAY AS FAR AWAY FROM PETSMART ONALASKA AS YOU CAN. THEIR FISH ARE ALSO DISEASED, JUST A PLAIN AWFUL PLACE AND SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN. THEY ARE DANGEROUS TO ANIMALS AND LACK ANY KIND OF CUSTOMER SERVICE. WHAT AWAFUL SERVICE IN EVERY SENSE OF THE WORD. STAY AWAY!
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4 comments
Guest

So, groom it yourself...

What's the purpose of having a dog if YOU cannot care for it YOURSELF?!

Obviously, you must be one of those unsavory individuals who believes the world bows to your feet? Pompous imbecile!

Guest

It's fur, it will grow back.

Guest

so youre mad because they made your dog look presentable it sounds like. if your dog is an outside dog then what the *** was the point of taking him to get groomed.

To make you feel better about yourself and less guilty..... cool Id like to lock you up in a kennel and leave you outside

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Guest-779660

AMEN

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Anonymous
map-marker Brandon, Florida

The Banfield Wellness Program with Vet Smart within the Pet Smart Store almost killed my dog twice .

Never will I take a pet there again . This so called wellness plan is run by inexperienced people and for the well being of your animal stay away .

I had to learn the hard way after two separate incidences which cost over $4,000.00 , which I had to incur . This organization took my healthy dog and gave me a really sick one back through their mistakes . If I didn't have the resources to seek medical help at an emergency facility my dog would have died . So when you're told the Banfeild Wellness Program at Vet Smart inside the Pet Smart Stores is a good program and will save you money , think again .

They don't take any responsibility for their mistakes , you just have to read complaint after complaint on these sites and it will tell the story .

I urge anyone that has had similar horror stories to contact your local newspapers and get the word out to help others before any other animal or person has to experience the pain , suffering and expense of this terrible place . Also , tell everyone you know , it's our only recourse .

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Anonymous
map-marker Ottawa, Ontario

Dog was not well when came home

i brought my dog in for grooming, he is an anxious miniature schnauzer. The groomer said she could not trim around his head because he was so nervous, so my dog had a trimmed body and pouffy head, like that helps his self essteem. Anyhow, the next day we started to notice that he wasnt getting up out of bed or off the couch, when we tried to touch him he would squeel like a pig. this went on for three days so i decided to call the vet, The vet said he most likely turned himself the wrong way when they were trying to hold him down for grooming. Now our family dog isnt doing well and may never recover, what are we to do? the groomer should have made a decision to stop grooming him when she could not hold him properly with the use of excessive force in fear of further doing damage to him and call me to let me know of the situation, where i would have said forget it since he was so anxious on that day. He has been there once before and all went well, so what happened this time?
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Loss:
$250
1 comment
Guest

You waited THREE DAYS? I don't even know how to respond to that.

Danessa Fpz

This review is from a real person who provided valid contact information and hasn't been caught misusing, spamming or abusing our website. Check our FAQ

Verified Reviewer
| map-marker Norfolk, Virginia

Petsmart sold me a starving chinchilla who had parasites and had seizures.

Updated by user Apr 23, 2013

Update: Petsmart reimbursed me for the cost of the first vet bill, $132.

Unfortunately he had to have a follow up appointment, then a stool sample test, more medication, and now he'll need at least another stool sample test to see if he still has parasites.

I...

Original review Mar 23, 2013

On March 6th, 2013 I purchased a chinchilla from the store located at 1275 N Military Hwy, Norfolk, VA 23502.
On March 11th, 2013 I observed him have five seizures late in the day. On March 12th 2013 I returned him to Petsmart early in the day in order to have him looked at by the vets at Banfield. Before I returned him I called and asked if the vets there were used to looking at chinchillas. I was told yes, they do examine chinchillas.
At 6:30 that evening I called to see if I could pick him up. I was told that the vet had not examined him yet and would call me back in 25 minutes. I did not receive a call so I called back at 7:30 and I was told that the vet was not finished with him but would be finished by 9:00 when the store closed.
I went to pick him up and the store manager working that evening told me that she owns chinchillas and that the vet at Banfield did not know what was causing his seizures.
I was told I could return him but I didn’t want to and took him home. He did not get any better and in fact got worse so on March 22nd I took him to another vet who examined him.
She told me that he was severely underweight and this is what caused his seizures. He had actually gained weight while in my care at this point. She ran some tests and determined he also had coccidia. She told me that he had been very ill for a while because of the condition that he was in.
Later that same day (March 22nd) I called the Petsmart that I purchased him from and explained the situation and was told that I would be reimbursed for the cost of the vet bill.
On March 23rd I went to Petsmart and was told by a different manager that I was not likely to be reimbursed for the vet bill and I could have just brought him back to be examined by the Banfield vet again or returned him to the store. I told her that when I had him examined five days after I bought him I was told that the vet was unaware of what could be causing his seizures, which was my motivation for taking him to another vet. I told her that the vet had told me he was severely underweight and that was what had caused them.
I asked her what tests were run on him while he was being seen by Banfield and was told that no tests were performed and he was just observed. I was told that because he wasn’t observed having any seizures at that time, no tests were run. I asked her if he was weighed. She assured me that he was weighed. I asked her how the vet could weigh him but not identify that he was severely underweight. She said she didn’t know.
I asked if there was any paperwork documenting his vet visit and she told me that she could show me the paperwork. Then she told me that they did not have the paperwork and when she asked Banfield if they had the record of it they said that their computers were down so they could not access the information. The manager told me the name of the vet who saw him that day.
I was very confused as to why she would know which vet saw him, that he was weighed, and that no tests were performed without having any access to the paperwork. I am also very confused as to why my chinchilla could have been so severely underweight without that being identified by any of the Petsmart staff or Banfield staff. He weighed 264 grams at the time of the vet examination on the 22nd. I also told her that he had been housed with one of their other chinchillas at the time who was still in the store, and since he had coccidia they might want to examine that chinchilla as well as the two new chinchillas who were there in the same cage with that one on the 23rd.
If I had known that he could have been so sick and was not examined thoroughly when I brought him back to the vet at Banfield on the 12th I would have simply taken him to another vet immediately. This was why I asked on the phone before I even brought him in if those vets were familiar with chinchillas. I’m very disappointed that he was so ill when I purchased him, that he was not examined thoroughly when I returned him on the 12th, and that I was not able to access any of his paperwork on the 23rd to see exactly what was actually done for him while he was in the care of the veterinarian other than simply being observed.

The value of my loss calculated here is the cost of the chinchilla and the vet bill, none of the chinchilla supplies. He is still alive at this point and hopefully I can save him, but Petsmart obviously didn't care about the cost of the pet or the vet bill.
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Loss:
$271
2 comments
Guest

just curios of he made it even though it's been 3 years. just bought a petsmart chinchilla hoping for the best. sierra.dawn2015@***.com I am not a member.

Guest

In sincerely hope your Chinchilla is doing better! I have been in Petsmart one time and was horrified at the conditions of the enclosures for their small animals. I don't know why companies are even allowed to sell animals in such condition.

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Keera Ytl
map-marker Las Vegas, Nevada

Dropped my Doxie !!!!

PetSmart - Dropped my Doxie !!!!
In Sept. 2012 my doxie,Oscar went there while I waited to have his nails cut. In April 2011 he had a slipped disc and I did range of motion therapy and got him to walk, tinkle ond *** on his own again. It took 7 months of intense therapy, the last 2500.00 I had and hard work to get him well !!( yes I sepnt my last penny on the most loving dog I have ever had... *** NO as he never gave up on me when I could not walk. I too am disabled.I took him for a nail cut and advised them he had been disabled and asked if I could hold him they said NO. I watched as they decided to hold him instead of putting him on a table even though I asked if they are going to be ok with him and they stated yes. As I watched my dog fall to the ground and BOUNCE off the concrete my heart sank. They took him to Banfield ( the vet inside the petsmart on Stephanie in Henderson NV and xrayed him. 2 RUPTURED discs !!! They did nothing but give him medicine which he will be on for the rest of his life and close the case ! I called corporate and the know the laws of my state NV and that a dog is consindered chattal property which means it's just like a car. They are not considered living beings that suffer. By the way Petsmart SELF INSURES !!! Which means there is not much recourse.... Please research your groomer.. I never want any dog cat or pet to suffer at the hands of that place !!!
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Loss:
$2500
5 comments
Guest

If i put all that time and effort into rehabbing my dog i would take him to a vet for his nails.

I would have refused your dog, too much risk when they are fragile or injured .

Grooming salon is for pets in good health who can tolerate the process of grooming. Dogs with extensive health issues or injuries aren't a good fit and need to be groomed in a different setting.

Even for nail trims.

I'm sorry it happened to your dog, accidents to happen. Certainly no one meant to hurt your dog.

Guest

That is horrible! I work at a salon now and it is against policy so have owners hold dogs, although sometimes I feel dogs would do better with their owners next to them.

Personally I would have just left him on the floor and clipped his nails that way. (that is allowed) IYour wonder if the bather had anyone helping them hold him?

Your poor sweet dog! They should have paid for every cent!!!

Cagney Yhr

Sorry for that happening to you and your little loved one. That is bull***!

I think they should have done more, in a way he was walking when he went in and not when he left. Pain medicine isn't enough.

Keera Ytl
reply icon Replying to comment of Cagney Yhr

Thank you soooo much. Oscar, is my best friend !!! They did absolutely nothing got rude and all I wanted by this post is to make people aware that they need to know their groomer and make sure they carry outside insurance as Petsmart is self insured.

Guest
reply icon Replying to comment of Keera Ytl

Petsmart groomers don't need their own insurance. They are covered by their employer so money hungry people wont bankrupt them and ruin their lives for having an accident.

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Anonymous
map-marker Kitchener, Ontario

Not informed about bringing my own camera for Santa picture

How *** not to have a photographer for the Santa Picture. I would have just walked out and been done with it but I live across the City and the weather was very bad for driving. I called 2 wks ago and spoke to a young lady asking her questions as to when Santa would be there. I booked my grooming session for my dog because I wanted him groomed for Santa!! Nobody informed me to bring my camera. Nothing at all was told to me by your staff. This has happened before with another issue and again the groomer didn't tell me to bring his papers regaurding the vaccines. I had to drive all the way home to get them. Cant your staff talk to us about these issues?? As for Santa with no photographer?????? Never heard of things like this.
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1 comment
Guest

Are you a *** nut! I wasn't told to bring my camera.

It's all over the signs in the store a month before the day of the pics! Do the country a favor and stop blaming others for you not reading and thinking it's someone's job to tell you everything. Stop making excuses and read you *** ***!

I pray to god you read this and come up with another excuse! Go ahead respond and make us all laugh!

Anonymous
map-marker Toronto, Ontario

Terrible Grooming

Today I received a coupon regarding money towards my pets next haircut. The groomers did such a terrible job on my dog that I had to go to another salon and waste $100 on the groom at petsmart. There was damaged my dogs nails, they caused more mattes when they attempted to remove them, and when I specifically asked not to have her head cut like a poodle they did. However, this was the only part of her that they did cut as they did not touch her body! I paid for services I definitely did not receive and I am extremely disappointed. I will never return to a petsmart again.
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Loss:
$180
1 comment
Guest

I had a horrible experience with the Pet Smart in Downey, CA. They caused minor injury to my dogs face and tummy during grooming and when I contacted them and spoke to a manager she brushed me off with...

"Next time take her to a vet to be groomed". I will never go back to Pet Smart again.

I've gone there 4 years and to be treated like that?

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