Pet Grooming Service Agreement Template

Why a Service Agreement Is Different From a Waiver

Groomers often confuse a service agreement with a waiver, but they do different jobs. A waiver handles consent and liability around the grooming itself — matting, health risks, handling. A pet grooming service agreement is the business contract: it spells out the terms of doing business with you, including pricing, cancellation and no-show policies, payment terms, late pickup, and what clients can expect. Together they cover both the safety and the commercial sides of your relationship with each client. A clear service agreement prevents the awkward money conversations — the surprise cancellation fee argument, the "I didn't know matting cost extra" dispute — before they happen. This guide gives you a complete agreement template and explains the reasoning behind each term.

The Core Terms of a Grooming Service Agreement

Services and Pricing

State what your standard services include and how you price them — by size, coat, and time — so clients understand a "full groom" isn't a single flat number for every dog. Reference that severe matting, heavy shedding, and behavioral handling may add time and cost. This sets the expectation that pricing reflects the actual work, which prevents the "why is my bill higher than last time?" surprise when a coat arrives in worse shape. Link your price structure to a published list; our dog grooming price list template gives you a starting point.

Cancellation and No-Show Policy

This is the term that protects your income most directly. A grooming slot that cancels with no notice — or simply doesn't show — is money you can't recover. Your agreement should state how much notice you require to cancel or reschedule without a fee (24 to 48 hours is common), what the fee is for late cancellations, and how no-shows are handled. Many groomers require a deposit or a card on file, charging a percentage of the service for a no-show. Spelling this out in the agreement makes enforcement straightforward — the client agreed to it up front. Our dedicated no-show and cancellation policy template goes deeper on this.

Matting and Add-On Charges

Clients don't always realize that a matted coat turns a routine groom into a long, careful job. Your agreement should state that severe matting may require additional time and charges, or a humane shave-down for the pet's welfare, and that add-on services like de-shedding, nail grinding, and teeth brushing are priced separately. Getting this in writing avoids the pickup-counter dispute and reinforces that your time has value.

Payment Terms

Define when and how payment is due — typically at the time of service — and which payment methods you accept. If you take deposits for new clients or large jobs, state it. If you charge for returned payments or require a card on file, include that too. Clear payment terms mean no ambiguity at checkout. Many groomers integrate payments directly into their booking system so the whole transaction is seamless; platforms like Teddy integrate with Square for POS, while MoeGo and DaySmart offer their own payment options.

Late Pickup and Other Policies

Include any operational policies that protect your time and the pet's safety: a late-pickup fee if clients don't collect their dog within a set window after it's ready, your policy on unvaccinated pets, and your right to stop a groom if a pet is too stressed or aggressive to continue safely. These clauses keep your day running and set professional boundaries clients respect.

Paper vs. Digital Agreements

Like waivers, service agreements only work if they're signed and stored. Digital agreements are faster and cleaner: send the agreement when a client books, have them sign on their phone, and store it with their record automatically. No clipboard, no lost paperwork, and the signed terms are there if a dispute ever arises.

Grooming platforms build this in. Teddy includes digital service agreements tied to each client's profile, so the signed terms live with the pet's record alongside your intake forms and waiver. MoeGo and DaySmart offer digital agreement features as well. Collecting the agreement at first booking — before the first groom — means every client has explicitly accepted your cancellation, matting, and payment terms, which makes running your business far smoother. See how the documents fit together in our intake form and waiver guides.

A Note on Legal Review

This template covers the terms most grooming agreements include, but contract enforceability varies by state and locality. For a small cost, have a local attorney review your final agreement so you know it holds up where you operate. Use this as a strong starting point, not a replacement for legal advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a pet grooming service agreement include?

It should cover your services and pricing, cancellation and no-show policies with fees, matting and add-on charges, payment terms, late-pickup policy, and any operational rules like vaccination requirements and the right to stop an unsafe groom.

What's the difference between a grooming waiver and a service agreement?

A waiver handles consent and liability around the grooming itself, such as matting and health risks. A service agreement is the business contract covering pricing, cancellations, payment, and other commercial terms. Most salons use both.

Should a grooming service agreement include a cancellation fee?

Yes. A cancellation and no-show policy with clear fees or a required deposit protects your income from empty slots. Stating it in the agreement, which the client accepts up front, makes it easy to enforce.

Can grooming software store signed service agreements?

Yes. Platforms like Teddy, MoeGo, and DaySmart offer digital agreements that attach to each client's profile, so signed terms are stored automatically and easy to find if a dispute arises.

Do I need a lawyer to write a grooming service agreement?

You can start from a template, but having a local attorney review your final agreement is wise since contract enforceability varies by location. It's a small cost for meaningful protection.

Digital service agreements signed at booking keep money conversations clear and protect your income. Teddy builds them into each client's profile — try it free at tryteddy.com. MoeGo and DaySmart offer digital agreements too.