The Line Has Been Drawn

You want to know the truth? For the longest time, I didn’t have a clear “goal” for this blog. Not really. I had ideas. Opinions. Plenty of fire. But not a razor-sharp purpose. Lately, though, between the stories piling up and the gut-wrenching reality being sent my way—yeah, the goal finally snapped into focus.

Am I here to help groomers? Sure. But not in the “let me coddle you through your career” kind of way. I’m here to help groomers get honest—or get out. I’m here to wake up pet owners. I’m here to expose the truth and shine a spotlight on the filth we’ve let fester in this industry.

So let me tell you a story. One that should break your damn heart. And if it doesn’t, then you’re part of the problem.

His name was Milo. He was 16 pounds of Cockerpoo fluff, and he was failed—by someone who called themselves a professional.

This happened in Mobile, Alabama. My home state. March 22, 2025.

Milo was taken in for his second visit to a local groomer. He was scared—visibly shaking, crying, clearly distressed. But he was dropped off at 9:30 AM and picked up around 11:30. When his mom brought him home, he was... off. Silent. Still. No spark. Not himself.

By the next day, his condition hadn’t improved. And then the signs began: one eye bloodshot. Then both. Swelling. Inflammation. Emergency vet trip. The diagnosis? Blunt force head trauma.

Let that sink in.

This wasn’t a slip. This wasn’t a fluke. The veterinarian confirmed it: Milo was either struck in the head or allowed to fall hard enough to cause severe trauma. And it wasn’t subtle. The vet was so alarmed she told Milo’s mom to never, ever take him back to that groomer.

Here’s the kicker: this groomer marketed themselves as “fear free.” Yeah. Let’s talk about that garbage term.

Let me make one thing perfectly clear: “Fear free” means nothing without accountability.

It’s just another feel-good label tossed around like “spa” was in the early 2000s. There is a fear-free certification. You know what it takes? A couple of online videos and a quiz. No hands-on evaluation. No real-world proof. No oversight. In a weekend, you too can be “certified.”

It’s a joke. A dangerous, misleading joke.

Milo’s suffering wasn’t just a one-off accident. It was the result of blind trust in fake professionalism—something that’s becoming far too common in this unregulated, wild-west industry.

To the pet owners reading this: Wake up. Ask questions. Do the homework.

Don’t fall for buzzwords. Don’t trust a certificate just because it’s printed on fancy paper. Want to know if your groomer is the real deal? Ask where they trained. Who certified them. What continuing education they’ve done. Ask to tour the facility. Ask for referrals. And if they get offended? Walk. Away.

You are your pet’s only advocate. And if your groomer isn’t willing to prove themselves, they’ve got something to hide.

And if your pet has been injured or killed in a grooming salon, don’t stay silent. Make a report using this link: https://www.theiapeg.com/pet-owners. Your report is completely anonymous—no one will know it was you.

The IAPEG is stepping up where no one else will. We are collecting and maintaining data on grooming injuries because we believe the silence must stop. This is how change begins—with truth, with data, with all of us standing together and saying: Enough.

And to the so-called groomers who hurt animals? You’re on notice.

If you can’t keep your temper in check…
If you think a dog squirming is an excuse to get rough…
If you hide behind trendy titles while doing real harm…

Get. Out. Of. My. Industry.

We don’t need you. We don’t want you. You are a stain on the profession and I will keep calling you out until you’re gone. Because this isn’t about competition. It’s about accountability.

Animals are dying in grooming salons. Injured. Traumatized. And you’ve convinced yourself it’s someone else’s fault.

No. It’s yours.

This blog isn’t here to stroke egos. It’s here to draw the line.

If that makes you uncomfortable—good. That means you’re paying attention. The line has been drawn in the sand. You’re either standing on the side of progress, education, and animal safety…
Or you’re standing in the way.

Choose wisely.

Because I’ve got a long memory, a big spotlight, and I’m not going anywhere.

— Bullet