I cannot think of a better way to wrap up a year of cat grooming than by preparing a sweet, beautiful longhair Exotic van for his first cat show.  Cotn Hill Charleston’s King Cameron, otherwise known as Cam, traveled from Charleston to Charlotte with his mom, Shirley, stopping by the NCGIA for a show groom on the way.

I had never met Cam before. He was a delight to groom, just as any longhair Exotic should be. Before Shirley came back to pick him up, I was tempted to hide him,  telling his mother that he had accidentally jumped out the window and run away. After all, who couldn’t use an extra black and white van?

An hour and a half after he had been dropped off for grooming, Shirley and Cam drove away, headed north to Charlotte for an early morning Saturday show. I wished them good luck as they sped away. And luck they did have!  Cam made all 6 finals that Saturday, even securing a 3rd Best Cat in premiership and 10th Best Cat in premiership, right up there with the Grands. As an Open this was quite a feat!

Shirley and Cam headed back home to Charleston with the new Premiership title as well as more than half the points needed for a Grand title. Not bad for a days work!

Thank you, Shirley, for allowing me the pleasure of working with this magnificent boy! We hope to see you both very soon. Happy New Year!

We are so pleased to announce our first webinar “Marketing Your Cat Grooming Business.”
Registration is now available. Get your seat as space is limited!

Marketing Your Cat Grooming Business Join us for a Webinar on January 5 Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at: https://www3.gotomeeting.com/register/218859054 Learn how to effectively market new or existing cat grooming services.  We will discuss writing a press release, garnering media attention, soliciting new clients, defining that which makes you unique, and more! Bring your questions. We provide answers! Title: Marketing Your Cat Grooming Business Date: Thursday, January 5, 2012 Time: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM EST After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar. System Requirements PC-based attendees Required: Windows® 7, Vista, XP or 2003 Server Macintosh®-based attendees Required: Mac OS® X 10.5 or newer

I received an unexpected gift this Christmas: a “Best of Simpsonville” award for my feline-exclusive grooming salon and resort, The Catty Shack, Ltd.  What a surprise! I am honored. And I am truly thankful for the many thousands of cat owners who have patronized my business over the years!  Merry Christmas to you all and a blessed New Year!

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Catty Shack Receives 2011 Best of Simpsonville Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, December 12, 2011 — Catty Shack has been selected for the 2011 Best of Simpsonville Award in the Pet Grooming category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA “Best of Local Business” Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2011 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:

U.S. Commerce Association

Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com

URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

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Recently I published an article entitled “What is Humane?” Within days, a client brought her cat in for grooming because grooming was essential to saving her cat’s life. This was not a case of a dirty, pelted cat or even one with minor tangles or mats. The main reason for this particular grooming visit was the prevention of life-threatening hairballs. The remedy: professional grooming whether the cat liked it or not. Case in point.

You see, weeks earlier, the domestic longhair named Haley, had been to the vet’s office for emergency surgery. The surgery was to remove the impacted hairball that was blocking Haley’s intestinal tract. Without the surgery Haley would have died.

I’m happy to report that Haley’s surgery was a success, and she is now free of any blockages. However, Haley must remain hairball free in order to maintain good health and avoid any future life-threatening intestinal blockages.

So how does Haley remain hairball free?

The most effective method for remaining hairball free, and the one preferred by her owner, is for Haley to receive a lion cut on a monthly basis. No hair = no hair ingestion = no more hairballs. However, Haley is not a fan of the clippers, even under sedation. Her disposition causes her to react rather aggressively to the use of clippers on her body. This, in turn, creates a stressful situation, which could be life-threatening.

If Haley ingests too much hair she is at risk of suffering another intestinal blockage, which could end her life. If Haley is shaved, she becomes rather aggressive and stressed, which could also end her life. She is very calm during the bathing and blow-drying, making regular grooming a non-stressful option as long as clippers are not used.

So where does this leave us? I believe the most humane option for Haley is a bath, blow dry, and de-shedding treatment without shaving of any kind. This must be done frequently (every 3-4 weeks at a minimum) in order to lessen the possibility that Haley will ingest too much hair and suffer another blockage.

Fortunately for Haley, her owner truly cares about her well-being and is willing to do whatever it takes to ensure that Haley lives a healthy life.

I could tell other stories very similar to this one. It just so happened that Haley made her visit to our salon right after I wrote the article about what is humane and what is not. I thought she illustrated my point purr-fectly.

We are excited to announce that webinars will be available the first week of January!

Topics and times are below. Most of the sessions are open to anyone. They are free to all attendees. Select sessions (as noted) are open only to CFMGs and graduates of the National Cat Groomers School.

Get ready to join us in January as we begin our webinar cat grooming adventure!

Marketing Your Cat Grooming Business
Thursday, January 5, 2012
8:00-9:00 PM EST

Pricing Structures and Special Fees
Monday, January 16, 2012
8:00 – 9:00 PM EST

Advanced Q&A Business Building – open to all NCGS grads and CFMGs only
Sunday, January 22, 2012
6:00-7:00 PM EST

Grooming the Aggressive Cat
Monday, January 30, 2012
8:00-9:00 PM EST

Open Line Q&A
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
8:00-9:00 EST

Advanced Q&A Business Building – open to NCGS grads and CFMGs only
Sunday, February 26, 2012
6:00-7:00 PM EST

So What Should I Do With This Cat?
(How to determine the best groom options for each individual cat)
Thursday, March 8, 2012
8:00-9:00 PM EST

Working Efficiently – Time is Money
Monday, March 19, 2012
8:00-9:00 PM EST

 
Advanced Q&A Business Building – open to NCGS grads and CFMGs only
Sunday, March 25, 2012
6:00-7:00 PM EST