Circle of Fluff Dog Grooming abides by the RSPCA Codes of Ethics:

RSPCA

1. Freedom from hunger and thirst: by ready access to fresh water and a diet to maintain full health and vigour.

2. Freedom from discomfort: by providing an appropriate environment including shelter and a comfortable resting area.

3. Freedom from pain, injury or disease: by prevention through rapid diagnosis and treatment.

4. Freedom to express normal behaviour: by providing sufficient space, proper facilities and company of the animal’s own kind.

5. Freedom from fear and distress: by ensuring conditions and treatment which avoid mental suffering.

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Circle of Fluff - Important Appointment Info 
At Circle of Fluff, we’re committed to providing fear-free, high-quality, and individualised grooming experiences for every pup that walks through our doors! 
To help us give your dog the best possible care, please take note of the following before your visit:

Before Arrival:
Please avoid feeding your dog within 3 hours of their appointment to help prevent any mid-groom accidents.

At Arrival:
Ensure your dog is on a leash or safely contained (crate or carrier).
Arrive a few minutes early so your pup can have a toilet break before entering our premises, especially if you've driven over.
Please bring your own waste bags and pick up after your dog — it’s your responsibility to dispose of waste properly.

Health & Safety:
Let us know if your dog is feeling unwell or off in any way before their appointment.
Dogs must be up-to-date with vaccinations, including C5, as well as flea, tick and worming treatments.

Special Pups
If your dog is a puppy, senior, geriatric, or has special needs, we’ll take extra time and care during their groom. Please note, this may incur an additional fee.
 

We do not provide services to pregnant dogs, dogs that have given birth recently or dogs in heat.
Thank you for helping us keep Circle of Fluff a safe, clean, and happy space for every dog we meet! 

Questions? Reach out anytime — we’re here to help!

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Policies & Procedures

 

Cancellations Policy

We understand that life happens and sometimes appointments may need to be cancelled or rescheduled due to unexpected emergencies.

To help us manage our schedule and accommodate clients on our waitlist, we kindly ask for at least 48 hours’ notice if you need to cancel or reschedule your appointment.

If less than 24 hours’ notice is given, and the situation does not constitute an emergency, we reserve the right to request a 50% fee of the total groom cost. This helps us cover the loss of time and resources associated with missed appointments.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation — this policy ensures fairness for all clients and helps keep our business running smoothly.

 

Missed Appointments / No-Shows

We send reminder messages prior to all appointments to give you plenty of time to confirm, decline, or reschedule.

If you do not respond to the reminder and fail to attend your appointment, we reserve the right to request full payment of the scheduled groom. This is to cover the time and resources that were reserved specifically for you.

We appreciate your understanding, as missed appointments impact not only our business but also other clients waiting for availability.

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Late Arrivals

At Circle of Fluff, we provide private, one-on-one grooming appointments in a calm, unhurried environment. To maintain this level of care for every dog, it’s important that appointments run on time.

If you are running late, we kindly ask that you call or message us as soon as possible. We completely understand that delays can happen — communication helps us make the best of the situation.

Please note the following:

• Arriving more than 15 minutes late may impact the quality of care we can provide for your dog and may affect the next client’s appointment.

• If you are more than 15 minutes late without notice, we reserve the right to:

  • Refuse the appointment if there is not enough time to complete the groom

  • Request full payment for the missed appointment to cover our time and operational costs

Repeated late arrivals without notice may result in the need to pre-pay for future appointments.

We appreciate your cooperation in helping us create a relaxed and respectful experience for all our furry clients and their humans.

 

Pick Up / Collection Policy

Clients will be notified approximately 30 minutes before their dog’s grooming session is complete. This allows time to make your way to the salon for a timely pick-up.

To maintain a smooth and efficient schedule—especially during changeover times when one dog is picked up and another is dropped off—punctuality is essential.

Late Pick-Up Fees:

• A $15 fee will apply for every 15 minutes you are late beyond the agreed pick-up time without prior communication.

• If your dog is not collected by closing time, an additional $50 wage charge may be applied to cover staff overtime.

We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us care for all pets in a calm, safe, and timely manner.

 

Dangerous or Aggressive Dogs

For the safety of all pets and staff, owners must inform us at the time of booking if their dog:

• Bites or has bitten in the past

• Displays aggression toward people or other animals

• Reacts negatively to certain grooming procedures (e.g. drying with a high-velocity dryer)

Muzzles may be used if necessary to ensure safety. Muzzling does not harm your dog—it is a standard safety measure to protect both your pet and our grooming team.

Circle of Fluff reserves the right to refuse or stop grooming services at any time before or during the session if a dog displays aggressive behavior.

In such cases:

• An aggressive dog handling fee will apply in addition to the regular grooming cost, regardless of whether the groom is completed.

• This charge is payable in full at the time of pick-up.

Thank you for your honesty and cooperation in helping us maintain a safe environment for everyone.

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Pricing & Payments

All prices provided are estimates only. Final pricing is confirmed once the groom is completed on the day of the appointment.

Several factors can influence the total cost of the groom, including but not limited to:

• Coat condition (length, matting, knots, etc.)

• Time between grooms (how long has it been since last groom)

• Dog’s behavior and temperament

• Age, weight/size and health conditions

• Special needs or handling requirements

• Presence of fleas or parasites

• Style requested

• Use of specialty products requested (e.g. medicated shampoos, toners, detangles, whitening, sensitive skin treatments)

If the condition or behavior of your dog makes it impossible to complete the groom, the full quoted price will still apply due to time and resources allocated.

Promotional offers or discounts are only valid under the specific terms and conditions advertised at the time of the promotion.

Full payment is required upon collection of your dog and must be made before leaving the premises.

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Client Records

All clients are required to complete forms providing personal and contact details and important health and safety information, including:

• Emergency contacts

• Vet and pet insurance details

• Microchip number

• Vaccination and flea/worming records

• Consent for social media, communication, and matted coat handling

This information is securely uploaded to our client database and reviewed regularly to ensure we provide the best possible care for your pet.

All personal and pet-related data is treated as strictly confidential, stored securely, and never shared with third parties. Records are securely disposed of or permanently deleted once you notify us that your pet has passed away.

We manage all personal information in accordance with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988. You have the right to access your personal data at any time, in addition to your rights under the Freedom of Information Act 1982.

 

Double Coat Shave-Down Policy

We DO NOT shave double-coated breeds as this is not to the benefit of the dog. 

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At the owner's request, and only for medical reasons or with the permission of a Vet, we may on a rare occasion perform a shave-down on double-coated breeds. When this takes place, pet owners need to understand the following before proceeding:

• There is no guarantee the coat will grow back the same after shaving. In some cases, the coat may grow back unevenly or not at all.

• Depending on how closely the coat is clipped, your dog may require sunscreen or protective clothing to prevent sunburn.

• Skin irritation or rash may occur as a result of shaving.

• Shaving does not reduce shedding. The double coat naturally sheds and regulates body temperature—shaving can interfere with this process.

• Double-coated breeds do not necessarily feel cooler when shaved, as their coat provides insulation in both warm and cool weather.

• After a shave-down, the coat may appear choppy or uneven, depending on coat condition and the requested length. Our groomers will always do their best to achieve an even, tidy result.

By proceeding with a double coat shave-down, you acknowledge and accept all associated risks. A signed waiver is required confirming that you have been informed and understand the potential risks. 

 

Dematting & Restyling

Brushing out mats and loosening knots is a standard part of our grooming process. However, dogs with severe matting may require a close shave clip (please refer to the Matted Coat Consent Form).

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Pets with matted coats need extra care and time during their grooming session. Mats left untreated only tighten over time, potentially causing serious discomfort or injury by strangling the skin or tearing it open.

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At Circle of Fluff, your dog’s health and wellbeing are our top priorities. We do not repeatedly de-mat your pet. Heavy matting is often impossible to remove without shaving and can carry risks such as:

• Cuts, nicks, or abrasions caused by skin folds, warts, or moles hidden in the mats

• Trapped moisture, urine, or feces leading to mold, fungus, or bacterial infections

• Skin irritations, redness, or even impaired blood circulation

• Possible failure of hair to regrow in shaved areas

• Temporary behavioral changes due to discomfort

 

To prevent matting, we highly recommend scheduling regular grooming appointments and maintaining a consistent brushing routine at home.

Additional charges apply for pets with matted coats due to the extra time and care required.

Please understand that it is the owner’s responsibility to maintain their pet’s coat condition. If your pet requires veterinary treatment due to matting-related issues, any costs incurred are the owner’s responsibility.

If a dog becomes uncomfortable, non-cooperative, or aggressive during grooming, we reserve the right to refuse or stop the grooming service and request full payment to cover our costs.

 

Health & Safety

At Circle of Fluff, the welfare of your dog is our highest priority. While we take every precaution to ensure a safe and comfortable grooming experience, it is important to understand that grooming is carried out at the owner's risk.

 

Working with live animals always carries a level of unpredictability, and although rare, accidents or unforeseen issues can occur. The grooming process may also:

• Expose hidden or undiagnosed medical conditions

• Aggravate existing health issues

• Be complicated by factors such as matting, overgrown nails, or difficult behavior

In the event of illness or injury during grooming, a veterinarian may need to be contacted. Unless a vet can clearly confirm that Circle of Fluff is directly responsible, all veterinary costs are the owner's responsibility.

 

Grooming pets that are elderly, chronically ill, or have special health conditions is done entirely at the owner’s risk.

For the safety of your pet and others:

• Do not bring dogs that are unwell or showing signs of illness. Please notify us and reschedule the appointment.

• We do not accept dogs that are pregnant or in heat/menstruating.

• We do not groom dogs undertaking chemotherapy

We highly recommend that all clients maintain pet insurance, and all grooming appointments require that you have read, signed, and agreed to our grooming policies.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe and supportive environment for every pet in our care.

 

Parasites Policy

Even with regular preventative treatment, dogs can still contract fleas, ticks, worms, or other parasites. If any parasites are discovered at any stage of the grooming process, the groom will be immediately stopped, and you will be contacted to collect your dog as soon as possible.

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In such cases, the following charges will apply:

• Full grooming fee, regardless of completion

• Additional fee to cover the cost of parasite elimination, including:

  • Deep cleaning and disinfection of the salon

  • Specialist cleaning products

  • Flea bombs or pest control measures

  • Sanitisation of all equipment and affected areas

If your dog is found to have parasites on more than one occasion, we reserve the right to refuse future grooming services, and the full grooming fee will still apply.

This policy is in place to protect the health and hygiene of all dogs in our care, as well as our team and premises. We strongly recommend keeping your dog up to date with parasite prevention treatments year-round.

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Please ensure you have read the policies of Circle of Fluff Dog Grooming prior to booking an appointment. By requesting/booking an appointment you agree to abide by the Terms and Conditions of our policies and procedures. 

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