Dog grooming waiver template
A grooming waiver gets the hard conversations out of the way before the dog is on the table: the matted coat that has to come off, the senior dog who may not handle a full groom, and who pays if a vet visit is needed. This one covers a shop or a mobile van. Read it below, then open it in SignMaster and have each new client sign before their first appointment.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 4 min read
The contract
Gray blanks are yours to fill in before you send. Each signer fills in the blanks in their color.
- You, before sending
- Pet owner
- Groomer
Dog Grooming Release and Waiver
This Dog Grooming Release and Waiver (the "Release") is made on Release date between Grooming business name (the "Groomer") and Owner name (the "Owner"). It covers every grooming visit for the dog named below until either of them ends it in writing.
1. The dog
- Dog's name: Dog name
- Breed or mix: Breed
- Age in years: Dog age Approximate weight: Dog weight
- Veterinarian and clinic phone: Veterinarian and phone
2. Vaccinations
The Owner confirms the dog is up to date on its rabies vaccination and on these other vaccines the Groomer requires: Other required vaccines. The rabies vaccination expires on Rabies vaccination expiry. The Owner will show proof from a veterinarian when asked, and the Groomer may turn away a dog without it.
3. Health and behavior
The Owner will tell the Groomer about any illness, allergy, skin condition, recent surgery, heart or breathing problem, seizure history, fleas or ticks, and any history of biting, snapping or fear of being handled. Details: Health and behavior notes. The Owner will update these details before any visit if something changes.
If the dog becomes aggressive or too stressed to continue, the Groomer may use a muzzle, stop the groom and call the Owner to collect the dog. The Owner pays for the work already done. If the Groomer finds live fleas or ticks, it may give a flea bath for Flea bath charge, added to the bill.
4. Matted coats
Brushing out tight mats hurts, so when the coat is matted the Groomer may shave it short instead of giving the requested style. Mats often hide skin redness, sores, hot spots or parasites that only show once the coat comes off, and freshly shaved skin can itch or turn red for a few days. The Owner accepts these risks. Dematting time is charged at Dematting charge on top of the grooming price.
5. Older, young or unwell dogs
Grooming is physically demanding for dogs that are elderly, very young, pregnant, overweight or living with joint, heart or breathing conditions. The Groomer will work at a gentle pace, give rest breaks and stop if the dog seems distressed. The Owner understands that the stress of grooming can bring out or worsen a condition the dog already has.
6. Grooming risks and release
Grooming means sharp scissors, clippers, nail trimmers and warm dryers used on an animal that can move without warning. Even with reasonable care, small nicks, clipper irritation, a nail cut to the quick, ear or eye irritation and stress-related upset stomach can happen. The Owner releases the Groomer from claims for these ordinary grooming risks. This release does not cover injury caused by the Groomer's gross negligence or deliberate misconduct, and it does not limit any right that the law says can't be waived.
7. Emergency veterinary care
If the dog needs urgent care during a visit and the Owner can't be reached quickly, the Groomer may take the dog to the Owner's veterinarian or the nearest emergency clinic. The Owner will pay the veterinary bills, except where the Groomer's negligence caused the problem. Second contact for emergencies: Emergency contact.
8. Prices, cancellations and pickup
Prices depend on the dog's size, coat condition and behavior, and the Groomer will tell the Owner before charging more than quoted. Appointments canceled with less than Cancellation notice in hours hours' notice, and missed appointments, are charged Late cancellation fee. The Owner will collect the dog within Pickup window in minutes minutes of the ready call. After that, a late pickup fee of Late pickup fee applies, and a dog still uncollected at closing time may be boarded overnight at the Owner's cost.
9. Photos
The Groomer may photograph the dog and share the photos on its website and social media, without the Owner's name or address. To say no, tick this box: Don't share photos of my dog.
10. General terms
This Release is governed by the laws of the state of State. If any part of it can't be enforced, the rest still applies. It is the whole agreement about grooming between the Owner and the Groomer, and electronic signatures on it count as originals.
Contact details
Owner phone: Owner phone Email: Owner email
Groomer phone: Groomer phone Address: Salon address
I have read this Release, including the matted coat and grooming risk sections, and I own this dog or am authorized to sign for its owner.
Pet owner
Groomer
Opens it in SignMaster as a template you can edit and send.
A starting point, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review it for your state and situation.
On this page
Why groomers use a release
Most complaints a groomer gets aren't about bad work. They're about surprises: a doodle shaved down when the owner asked for a teddy-bear trim, red skin that appeared once the mats came off, a dog sent home early for snapping. A signed release explains each of these in advance, so the owner has already agreed to the shave-down or the muzzle before it happens, and you have a dated record that they did.
It also collects the things you need on a busy morning: the rabies expiry date, the vet's number, a second emergency contact and any history of biting. Have every new client sign once, and ask returning clients to update it when their dog's health changes.
What the template covers
- The dog: name, breed, age, weight and the owner's veterinarian.
- Vaccinations: rabies expiry, any other vaccines you require, and your right to turn away a dog without proof.
- Health and behavior: allergies, skin problems, seizures, recent surgery and bite history, plus what happens if a dog gets aggressive or arrives with fleas.
- Matted coats: why you may shave instead of brushing out, what mats can hide, and your dematting charge.
- Older and fragile dogs: the extra stress grooming puts on seniors, puppies and dogs with heart or breathing conditions.
- Release: the ordinary risks of sharp tools on a moving animal, with gross negligence carved out.
- Emergency vet care, pricing, cancellations and late pickup, each with your own amounts.
- Photos: permission to post the finished groom, with a box the owner can tick to opt out.
Mistakes to avoid
- Asking for the waiver after the groom. A signature collected at pickup, when the owner is upset about a shave-down, protects nobody. Send it with the booking confirmation.
- Writing a release that covers everything, including your own carelessness. Courts in many states won't enforce a waiver of gross negligence, and an overreaching clause can make a judge doubt the rest.
- Skipping the photo question. Owners who'd rather not see their dog on your feed should be able to say so on the form, not in a comment.
- Leaving out the late pickup terms. Spell out the fee and what happens at closing time, so a forgotten dog doesn't turn into an argument.
Waivers have limits
How far a release can go depends on your state, and no waiver covers harm you cause on purpose or through gross negligence. The template uses general wording and a blank for your state, and section 6 already leaves out gross negligence, so it doesn't claim more than a court is likely to enforce.
How to send it with SignMaster
- 1
Open it in your account
Choose Use this template. It becomes a template in your workspace, with the pet owner and the groomer set up as signers in that order.
- 2
Fill in your shop's details
Type your business name, address, vaccine list, fees and state into the gray blanks. They're the same for every client, so you only do this once.
- 3
Turn it into a link for new clients
Make a public signing link from the template and paste it into your booking confirmation or your website. Each owner fills in the blue blanks, the dog's details and their own, and signs on their phone.
- 4
Sign at the counter if they forgot
For a walk-in, start the envelope and hand over your tablet with in-person signing. The owner signs before the dog goes back.
- 5
Countersign and keep the copy
You sign last. Both of you get the signed PDF with a certificate showing when the owner signed, which is easy to pull up if a question comes up months later.
Keeping vaccination dates in one place
On a paid plan, every signed release adds a row to the template's Responses tab: the owner, the dog's name and breed, and the rabies expiry date, all in one table. Export it as a CSV, sort by expiry in your spreadsheet, and you'll see which regulars need to bring a new certificate. See all answers to a template in one table.
Questions? Answers.
Do I need a new waiver for every grooming appointment?
No. This one covers every visit until either side ends it in writing. Ask owners to update it when their dog's health, behavior or vaccinations change, and send it again if you change your fees.
Can a mobile groomer use the same form?
Yes. Put your van's service area in the address blank. The late pickup terms rarely come up, since the owner is usually home, and you can strike them through with the editor's Markup tools. The rest of the release works the same way.
Does the owner need an account to sign?
No. They open the link on any phone or computer, fill in their dog's details and sign. Nothing to download and no password.
Is a signed waiver enough if a dog is hurt?
It shows the owner knew the normal risks and agreed to them, which helps. It won't excuse real carelessness, and your business insurance still matters. Read what a liability waiver can and can't do.