Pet Grooming Service Agreement Template

A solid pet grooming agreement is the document that turns "I thought you said..." into "you signed this."

Where an intake form captures pet info and a waiver covers liability, a service agreement spells out the business policies that drive your day-to-day — pricing, cancellations, deposits, matting fees, behavior rules, photo permissions, payment authorization.

Without it, every new client conversation starts from scratch. With it, expectations are set, disputes drop, and you can run your salon like a business instead of a negotiation.

Start with a structured onboarding flow using a proper form like this:
Free Pet Grooming Client Intake Form Template

What a Service Agreement Covers (vs an Intake Form vs a Waiver)

These three documents do different jobs:

• Intake form: Pet info, vaccinations, allergies, behavior, services requested
• Service agreement: Business policies — pricing, cancellation, payment, deposits, photo permissions
• Liability waiver: Risk acknowledgment, matting policy, emergency consent

Some salons combine all three into one document. Others keep them separate. Either approach works as long as everything is captured and signed.

The Template

Adapt the sections below to your salon. Have a local attorney review before rolling out.

Section 1: Parties

This service agreement is entered into between [Salon Name] ("Salon") and the pet owner ("Client") listed below.

Section 2: Services & Pricing

Salon agrees to provide grooming services as requested per the current price list (attached or available at [URL]). Client acknowledges that final pricing may include surcharges for severe matting, large or giant breeds, double-coat de-shedding, and special handling. All surcharges will be disclosed at drop-off and authorized before service begins.

To structure your pricing correctly and avoid undercharging, use this guide:
Dog Grooming Price List: How to Set Your Rates

Section 3: Appointment Scheduling

Appointments are scheduled in advance through Salon's booking system. Client agrees to provide accurate contact information and to confirm appointments when reminded.

Section 4: Cancellation & No-Show Policy

Client agrees to provide at least 24 hours' notice for cancellations or reschedules. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice incur a 50% fee. Missed appointments without notice (no-shows) incur a 100% fee. Repeat no-shows (2+ within 90 days) will require a 50% deposit for future appointments.

Strong cancellation policies only work when they are enforced consistently. For deeper systems on preventing revenue loss, read:
How to Handle Grooming Cancellations Without Losing Money

Section 5: Deposits

Salon may require a deposit for new clients, premium services, or peak holiday appointments. Deposits are applied to the final service total. Deposits are non-refundable in the case of no-show or late cancellation.

Section 6: Matting Policy

Severe matting may require shave-down at the groomer's discretion. Shave-downs may reveal pre-existing skin conditions hidden by the mats; Client accepts this risk. A matting surcharge of $[X]–$[Y] depending on severity will be added and disclosed at drop-off.

Section 7: Behavior Policy

Client has truthfully disclosed pet's behavior history. If the pet displays aggressive, dangerous, or unmanageable behavior, Salon may stop the service and charge for time spent. Repeat behavior issues may result in the pet being declined for future service.

Section 8: Vaccinations

Client confirms that all required vaccinations (rabies, Bordetella, DHPP) are current and has provided verification. Salon reserves the right to refuse service for pets without current vaccinations.

Section 9: Photo & Marketing Permissions

Client grants Salon permission to photograph the pet during grooming for use in marketing, social media, and website content. Client's personal information will not be shared. Initial to opt in: ___

Section 10: Pickup & Late Pickup

Client agrees to pick up the pet within 30 minutes of the agreed-upon time. Late pickup fees of $[X] per 30 minutes may apply. Pets not picked up within 24 hours of completion will be considered abandoned and may be turned over to local animal services at Client's cost.

Section 11: Payment

Payment is due at the time of service. Client authorizes Salon to charge the card on file for services, add-ons, matting surcharges, cancellation fees, late pickup fees, and authorized emergency veterinary costs.

Section 12: Liability & Emergency Care

[Reference attached liability waiver, or include waiver language here if combining documents.]

Section 13: Right to Refuse Service

Salon reserves the right to refuse or discontinue service for reasons including but not limited to: aggressive behavior, severe matting outside of policy, falsified intake information, repeat no-shows, or non-payment.

Section 14: Term & Updates

This agreement remains in effect until terminated by either party. Salon may update policies at any time with 30 days' notice via email or text. Client acknowledgment of the most recent agreement is required annually.

Section 15: Signature

Signed: ______________________  Date: __________
Printed name: ______________________  Pet name(s): ______________________

How to Roll Out Service Agreements

Three principles:

• Send digitally before the first appointment — clients sign on their phone, not at your front desk
• Frame it as standard onboarding paperwork, not a “contract”
• Require it before the first groom — no signature, no appointment

Modern grooming systems like Teddy (tryteddy.com), MoeGo, DaySmart Pet, and Gingr make this fully digital with audit trails and SMS delivery.

Updating the Agreement Annually

Run a once-a-year refresh:

“Hi [Client] — we updated our salon policies (pricing, scheduling, holiday rules). Please review and re-acknowledge.”

This keeps pricing, cancellation rules, and legal protections current without re-onboarding every client from scratch.

Common Service Agreement Mistakes

• Vague terms like “reasonable notice” instead of exact timelines
• No clear matting surcharge range
• Missing payment authorization for card-on-file charges
• No annual re-acknowledgment process
• Using different versions of the agreement across clients

How Software Helps

Modern grooming platforms streamline service agreements by:

• Sending agreements via SMS or email after booking
• Capturing legally valid digital signatures
• Storing signed documents in the client profile
• Enabling card-on-file charges for no-shows and deposits
• Tracking version history of policy updates

Teddy supports digital agreements, intake forms, and unlimited two-way SMS for distribution and follow-ups, making it easier to enforce policies consistently across all clients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a pet grooming service agreement legally binding?

Yes. When signed, it is generally enforceable under E-SIGN Act and UETA laws, especially when stored with a digital audit trail.

What’s the difference between a grooming agreement and a waiver?

A service agreement covers business rules (pricing, cancellations, payments). A waiver covers risk acknowledgment and liability. Many salons combine both into one document.

Do I need clients to sign every appointment?

No. One signature covers the ongoing relationship. However, annual re-acknowledgment is recommended for policy updates.

Can I require deposits in my service agreement?

Yes, as long as it is clearly written and the client authorizes it. Most grooming software systems enforce this automatically.

What if a client refuses to sign?

You don’t book them. Clients who refuse paperwork are significantly more likely to dispute charges or no-show later.