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Davis Journal

Dog grooming business comes to your doorstep

Mar 09, 2023 02:14PM ● By Becky Ginos

Butler in front of her mobile trailer that has all of the supplies needed for grooming. Courtesy photos

WEST POINT—Don’t have time to take that pup to a groomer? No worries, Bailey Butler will bring her mobile grooming trailer right to the front door. Butler started Happy Tails Mobile Pet Grooming in 2020 and business is booming.

“It’s busy,” she said. “There are too many dogs and not enough groomers. During COVID people bought puppies so now we have a groomer shortage.”

Butler and her father came up with the idea in 2019 then started to build out the trailer, said Butler. “We’ve been on the road ever since. I’m working on getting a van too so I can expand and hire more groomers.”

Clients make an appointment and Butler comes to their house, gets the dog and grooms them in the trailer. “I get them bathed, cut their nails, etc.,” she said. “I have a generator, water tanks, tub and table so I don’t have to do it in their house.”

Butler started grooming dogs in 2018 as a side job during college. “I was working at a doggy daycare part time but once I was trained I went full time. I found that I liked it and decided to make a career change and go into grooming. I knew I wanted to start my own business.”

The overhead is lower than a shop, she said. “I sold my car and other things and bought the truck trailer.”

Happy Tails offers full service grooming, said Butler. “I do nails, baths, hair cuts, hair dye – pretty much anything the client wants as long as it’s safe for the dog. That’s our main concern is the safety of the dog.”

Some dogs can be difficult, she said. “The first couple of times can be stressful. But I take the time that I need to. It can be two hours, four hours, however long it takes me. I go slow if a dog is scared or anxious and try to calm them.”

Butler takes five to six dogs a day. “I’m usually booked out about a month to a month and a half. Some clients book for the year.”

Prices vary depending on the service, she said. “Smaller pups start out at $52 and go up from there. We groom all kinds of dogs but we have an 85 pound weight limit.”

This is so much fun, said Butler. “If you ever need a career change, consider this. It’s so rewarding.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment visit happytailsutah.com.