Terms and Conditions

CURRENT STATUS: FULLY BOOKED & NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS Please note: Cathie’s Cat Grooming is currently operating at maximum capacity and is strictly closed to new clients and booking requests. Any inquiries submitted while fully booked will not be processed or responded to. Thank you for respecting this boundary.

1. Service Scope & Mobile Appointments

  • In-Home Mobile Service: Cathie’s Cat Grooming operates as a specialized mobile feline grooming service coming directly to your home within our designated service area (roughly 20km from Glenroy across inner and northern Melbourne suburbs).

  • Environment Required: For home visits, clients must provide a small, quiet room with a secure door and access to a power point. If a bath is required, access to warm water is necessary (though full drying depends on individual cat tolerance).

  • Veterinary Background: Services are delivered by a qualified and experienced veterinary nurse (B.Anim.Vet.Biosc. | AdvDipSc | DipVN) specializing in feline behaviour with over 25 years of experience. All handling prioritizes low-stress, fear-free methods working primarily at floor level.

2. Client Presence & Assistance

  • Owners are welcome to observe grooming sessions provided it does not increase the cat's anxiety or stress.

  • Assistance may occasionally be requested for holding or distracting a cat, though solo grooming is standard practice where appropriate.

3. Health, Sedation & Medical Safety

  • Veterinary Sedation (Gabapentin): We work with senior cats, medically complex cats, and those requiring in-home sedation using Gabapentin strictly supplied and prescribed by your veterinarian. We carefully monitor sedated cats throughout the groom to ensure safety and low stress levels.

  • Health & Behaviour Disclosures: Owners must fully disclose any known medical conditions, behavioral challenges, or bite histories prior to booking. We reserve the right to halt a groom immediately if a cat's stress or aggression exceeds safe handling limits.

  • Triage & Preventative Advice: Sessions include professional nursing observations regarding coat health, skin conditions, and preventative care recommendations, advising when veterinary consultation is warranted.

4. Handling & Welfare Standards

  • Practice is guided by a commitment to patient, incremental care working strictly within each cat's tolerance thresholds with regular breaks.

  • Some cats require multiple short sessions to properly acclimate, assessed on a case-by-case basis at the time of grooming.

  • Pheromone sprays and positive reinforcement (including treats/bribery where accepted) are utilized to promote cooperation.

5. Bathing & Drying Limitations

  • As a mobile service, bathing availability depends entirely on the individual cat and setup conditions. Full drying cannot always be guaranteed as it requires time and individual acclimatization to a dryer.

6. Cancellations & Rescheduling

  • We require at least 48 hours’ notice for any appointment cancellations or rescheduling requests.

  • Cancellations made within less than 48 hours, or no-shows on the day of the appointment, will incur applicable late cancellation and no-show fees in accordance with our cancellation policy.

7. Uncaptured Pets

  • If a cat cannot be safely retrieved or captured upon arrival for a scheduled appointment, standard cancellation/service fees apply to compensate for travel and reserved time.

8. Pricing & Payment Terms

  • Valuing Expertise: Pricing reflects professional veterinary qualifications, over 25 years of experience, specialized behavioral handling, mobile service delivery, vehicle/petrol costs, administration, equipment maintenance, and ongoing education.

  • Accepted Payment Methods: We accept cash and PayID payments for services rendered. Payment is due at the completion of the appointment.

9. Communication Policy

  • To manage workload and focus entirely on patient care, communication is handled strictly via text message and email. Phone calls for appointment scheduling are not accepted.

10. Service Area Limits

  • Services are restricted to our designated travel zone of roughly 20km from Glenroy, covering mostly inner and northern suburbs of Melbourne.

11. Acceptance of Terms

  • By booking an appointment or utilising services from Cathie’s Cat Grooming, clients acknowledge and agree to abide by these Terms & Conditions and our associated policies.terms