A New Ordinance in El Paso, Texas, Seeks to Protect Animals at the Groomers - National Humane Education Society
Paws Up!
December 9, 2020
To local lawmakers in El Paso, Texas, for passing an ordinance requiring all groomers to be licensed.
Grooming is an important part of keeping any companion animal happy and healthy. It aids in detecting skin conditions, external parasites, and other forms of injuries or ailments that may lead to more serious health problems if left untreated. Depending on your furry friends’ tolerance for “spa” day, you may need to enlist the help of a professional. These professionals may work for themselves, small businesses, or large ones, but the goal is to find someone who will make your beloved pets look their best while using the utmost care. When that care is compromised, and tragedy unfolds leading to injury or death, ways to prevent these heart-wrenching occurrences from happening need to be taken.
This summer, the city councilmembers in El Paso, Texas, voted favorably to require all groomers to obtain a license before practicing. According to the El Paso, Texas, Municipal Code § 7.15.020, “…B. Licensed groomers must have said license and valid state-issued photographic identification in their possession and available for inspection by shop owners, clients and city officials at all times when grooming.” In addition to licensure, groomers will be required to complete some form of approved training, as stated in El Paso, Texas, Municipal Code § 7.15.030, “A. An individual seeking to perform animal grooming must first obtain from the director or designee, an animal groomer certificate or other proof of completion of the director’s animal groomer training course or an equivalent course pre-approved by the director before obtaining a groomer license.” This ordinance will go into effect in January 2021.
Take Action: El Paso, Texas, residents, if you support the requirement that groomers should be licensed, please thank your councilmember today!
Do you believe laws should be passed to regulate animal groomers?
