Island pets&dog grooming.

I can relate a story that happened to me down island - When I mentioned I lived in STT the women at the bus stop waiting with me said " The people in St Thomas are so rich they have a place you cud tek a dog to get a haircut"

What island, groomingirl? There are dog groomers here on St. Thomas. One I know is very busy & there's also a guy who comes to your house to groom your pets. The Humane Societies on STT & STX are very active & there's also an animal care center on St. John. The attitude towards animals now is much improved over when I first moved here. Still a long way to go but better.

Sorry, STX

Well I don't know that you could make a living at it but I think you could find business. I don't know that your income would make it worth the cost of doing business but maybe you could make a deal with one of the vets. I would try emailing or calling them and see if they feel there is a need.

There's always people posting ads here and at the grocery stores to groom, walk or dog sit (while your gone). I always wonder who trusts a stranger to dog/house sit for them.

Me too, Betty! There are very few people I would let stay in my house and care for my animals. My husband and I haven't had a vacation together since we moved to STX. We had people on STT that we knew for years, but haven't gotten to that point here yet. The people we are friends with have their "own lives" going on.

We usually trade dog sitting services with out renters, but I don't trust how our current renters treat there dog, so theres no way I would leave my angels with them. So we too will have to wait awhile for a vacation..... 🙁

I know of three groomers on STX. Pet owners get very attached to their groomers. There is Gallows Bay Groomers, Island Animal Clinic has a groomer and another independent groomer. They all seem pretty busy.

It just so happens that is a sideline of my grooming business here in the States. I have 3 little ones of my own, and on Christmas vacation, ended up with 8 dogs in the house. In the NE a cage in a kennel is $30.00 or more. I could never do that with my own dogs.
At the shop the girls and I just went up to $35.00 a day. Most are the grooming customers dogs. Of course they either sleep on our beds or in the bedroom. I wonder if there is any chance of success if I were to try it in STX. After 30 years in the business, you start to like the dogs more then the people.

Thanks to Trade and Betty for some good advice. My husband and I have a 3 year plan so I still have time.(If we can stand the weather) I am on a fact finding mission. Betty, I did e-mail Dr. Boswell the Vet with the brand new office but got no reply. I may make a few calls.

Thanks for the info Christineq.

After 30 years in the business, you start to like the dogs more then the people.

What took you so long?:@)

I would like to have a groomer come to the house, like Paul on St. Thomas, but I don't know of one on STX. It's always so "frantic" taking the dogs in.

I actually always liked dogs more then people but didn't want to come off looking like a wacko 😀

I'll keep that in mind about making house calls. I wonder what they get for a fee. Here it is more expensive for that service.

http://www.paulspamperedpooches.com/

Thanks Trade.

I have a friend who started dog sitting for a few friends here on island and quickly got a good reputation and has more business than he can handle. He does it as a house sitting/dog care combo and spends more time at other peoples homes than he does in his own. 🙂 He has a full time job but this is a great source of extra income for him and he loves doing it.... and MY DOGS adore him. I think once you find someone you trust and know treats your pets like you would treat them... they are so worth the cost.

Grooming Girl... make a business plan... figure out what you want to do,... from your home, rental space, mobile, .... work the numbers... I think it is possible but only you know the details of the business enough to know if the plan would work.