ATHOL — A new pet salon opened its doors in recent weeks to serve the growing demand for pet grooming services in the North Quabbin area.
Tails Pet Salon at 1265 South Main Street in Athol will host an open house from 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday, December 9. The public is invited to come in to see the new business, which opened about four weeks ago .
Opening a pet grooming salon has been a longtime dream for Daniell Rouleau, who worked as a certified veterinary technician for 25 years at VCA Adams Animal Hospital, just across the parking lot from her new business. Tails is located in the building long occupied by the Athol Granite Works, which closed its doors after nearly 170 years of operation.
“I’ve wanted to go into business for myself for a long time,” said Rouleau. “Having this building presented that opportunity. So, I considered what knowledge and experience I had that I could turn into something. It became clear to me that we needed a grooming salon.”
He said many clients who run the animal hospital business have complained that they cannot conveniently access care for their pets in the Athol area.
Reflecting on his first few weeks in business, Rouleau said, “I think it’s been incredible. We’ve had a lot of clients through the door. People have been positive, saying they’ve been waiting for us to open. So, it’s been great
Rouleau is setting up shop in a community where he has lived since birth. He and his son occupy the house he bought 20 years ago. He said it took him more than a year to remodel and organize the location to his specifications, investing nearly three-quarters of a million dollars in the business in his hometown. Seven people from North Quabbin work at the salon.
“One thing many people don’t realize, being a pet groomer is a physically demanding job. And to be a groomer, you have to be creative and have very good skills, and you have to have high standards. It’s a lot more involved than most people realize,” Rouleau said.
In addition, a therapist must gauge the personality of clients who cannot speak in order to know how to deal with them. Rouleau also wants potential clients to know that the salon serves more than just dogs.
“We are cat-friendly,” she said. “We take our time with them. We know that every cat has their own comfort level. Everything we do is about how they are handled.”
The Tails website states, “We have Fear Free Certified staff who understand your pet’s behavior and body language to recognize heightened fear, anxiety, stress and are skilled in calming techniques to implement. They receive special hands-on training in low stress handling of both dogs and cats with different temperaments.”
The facility boasts a large finishing room where four different groomers can do their work. She also has comfortable kennels where dogs can be kept until owners come to collect their pets, as well as a separate soundproof room for cats.
Tails Pet Salon offers Basic, Full, and Deluxe services, a puppy plan, A la Carte services, walk-in service and, of course, cat grooming services and a kitten plan.
Appointments can be made by calling (978) 830-0487 or visiting the Tails Pet Salon website: www.tailspetsalon.com. Hours are 8 am to 6 pm Monday through Friday, 8 am to 1 pm on Saturday.
