Matted Dogs: Any dog presented in such matted condition that the removal the mats by normal grooming methods would cause severe discomfort or pain to the dog will be shaved with the appropriate clipper blade for the job. You will be advised of this before we start. A shave-down will incur an extra fee of at least £10 to cover the cost and inconvenience of having to have the clipper blades sent away and re-sharpened.

Dangerous Dogs: Centre Stage reserves the right to muzzle your dog or ask you to muzzle your dog or to refuse to groom it if it represents a danger to our staff or other dogs in the salon. Unless this has been discussed and agreed beforehand we reserve the right to turn your dog away without grooming it - but the full grooming fee will still be charged.

Because of the above, no dog will be taken onto our books without attending the free Pre-Assessment Appointment where we will also discuss your requirements and be able to see how you will normally present your dog at the salon. You will be required to pay a booking fee if you wish to make an appointment at this time. We will also be able to give you a fairly accurate estimate of how much your groom will cost.

Normal Condition: It is assumed that you will bring your dog into the salon in Normal Condition. That is; you groom your dog at home (right down to the skin) regularly between appointments, and that it you will present your dog at the salon in an unmatted and dry condition. Any condition other than "Normal" will most probably incur additional charges.

In 2010 "No Shows" cost us 10% of our revenue.

Canceling your appointment: When you make an appointment with Centre Stage you are obliged to pay for it. We are a busy salon and can generally fill your slot - given 2 to 3 working days notice. But you cannot cancel your 9am, Monday morning appointment on Sunday evening and expect to dodge the fee!

Booking Fees: A Booking Fee of £30.00 per dog is charged to all clients on their first visit. This is redeemed against their final groom with us. Clients who don't give enough notice (or fail to show up for their appointment, regardless of the excuse) forfeit their booking fee and will have to pay it again before they can have another appointment. Serial offenders may even be asked to pay for their entire appointment by Bank Transfer before we will give them another appointment.

Wee Wee's Please! Please ensure your dog has had an adequate chance to relieve itself before you come to the salon. We do not have the time or the facilities to do this for you. If your dog defacates or urinates during the grooming process and requires a second bath you will be charged appropriately. Please bag up your dog's mess and put it in the bin if your dog has an accident outside our home.

Unfortunately teeth cleaning and anal gland expression are deemed to be "veterinary procedures" by some vets and therefore under the Veterinary Surgeons Act we are now prevented from performing these services for you.

Payment: Centre Stage accepts Internet Transfer, Cheque or Cash. We do not accept any credit cards.

Daycare: Although we would love to be able to, we do not have the space to provide a doggy-daycare service. If you cannot collect your dog at the agreed time we will charge £5.00 per hour or part thereof for babysitting it for you.

Finally: If you are unsure which tools and / or products to use to groom your dog with between appointments please ask, we're happy to help and advise you.

If we discover fleas on your dog during the pre-bath brush-out or pre-bath clip we have no option but to bath your dog immediately in a suitable shampoo in order to prevent an infestation in the Salon (and our home). We will then call you so you can treat the infested areas of your home while the dog is with us.

A minimum charge of £35 will be added to your bill to cover the additional shampoo, conditioner, water, electricity, time and inconvenience. After all the dogs have left the salon we have to fumigate the entire area and every dog that follows your dog through the salon will have to be treated as though it is infested too.

Remember: Dogs fed fresh garlic daily RARELY get fleas or ticks.