AnimaLuvrs

"Spending the winter in Punta Gorda, we made our first visit to AnimalLuvrs to have our Westie, Zoe, groomed. Lisa did an excellent job and the staff was very friendly. Will definitely return before we leave for home in April. Thanks!"

"Today was my 2nd and last visit to Animal Luvrs for grooming of my F2b Goldendoodle. First time, he was very young. Went in to book an appointment along with my doodle and my husband, who the owner (Andrea?) was friendly to and said she knew him in the past. She came around the counter to inspect my doodle with a disapproving look and stuck her fingers in the thick curls around his rump, then said “Oh jeez…he’s REALLY matted!” He had ZERO mats, he’s just very curly. I said that out loud and the groomer, who overheard, came around the counter to check him out herself. She said “No, he’s not MATTED! He’s just curly. Thats his puppy coat. He’s beautiful! I can groom him just fine.” So, despite the rudeness and ignorance of the owner, I went ahead and booked the appointment because the groomer (wish I could remember her name) was very kind and sweet towards my pup. They ended up doing just a “face, fanny, feet” grooming and I was pleased with the work. Fast forward to today, 7 months later. I have groomed my pup myself several times with ease (#3 guard). I bathe him weekly and comb him every few days. I hadn’t had time to book an appointment due to being out of town a lot these past several months, but I wanted him professionally groomed before his neutering surgery later this week. I had to call twice to get an appointment. During the first call (I think his name was David) he said he didn’t think they could get me in before the 18th. I said ok, then please book me for about 5 weeks out and I’ll just do it myself before the surgery. He said he’d check with the groomer to see if maybe they could squeeze me in and call me back, but then never called me back. I called a few days later and was told they had a cancellation on the 16th and could fit me in. As soon as I walked in, the owner came up to my doodle and I and it was like Deja vu. Same disapproving look, same fingers in the rump fur, same dramatic exclamations about how “matted” he was. Again, I protested that he was NOT matted, just an F2b and with very dense curls. She went on about how they would have to brush him out by hand (duh…isn’t that part of grooming?) and how hard it was going to be and at that point I stopped her and said “This is exactly what you did to me last time and your own groomer stood right there and told you he wasn’t matted and it was just his curly coat.” The owner ignored this and kept saying she needed to “show me” with a comb. Lady, I comb my dog several times a week! I know how a comb goes through his curls. They fluff up and he doesn’t even flinch. I also know what REAL mats are, because I have fostered and groomed 19 mini schnauzers in the past, all of whom came to me from a rescue organization and were covered in mats. I told her I wasn’t going to go through this drama and argument with her every time, to which she snapped “then maybe you just don’t need to come here.” Finally, we agree on something!! I took my dog and left immediately. I’m not sure if she is ignorant of the nature and texture of the F2b goldendoodle coat or if she is just trying to jack up the price by claiming my dog is matted. Regardless, I’ve made an appointment with another local shop and am expecting a more pleasant experience, though unfortunately I’ll now have to wait until 2 weeks after the surgery. I’m adding pics I took of my dog and his curly butt as soon as I got home, and I’m also including a picture I found on the internet of REAL fur mats (white fur picture) so the owner can understand the difference. Her groomer gets it, but she doesn’t! I’d leave 1 star if it was just for the owner and her ridiculous attitude, but because the groomer was knowledgeable and friendly, I bumped it up to 2 stars. (Side note: my HUSBAND’s dog, a shih tzu he inherited from his late mother, who DID have mats and eye boogers and overgrown nails because my husband does NOT pay careful attention to his care, garnered no such negative reception from the owner when brought in on the first visit. Strange.)"

"I absolutely love this place! They have an amazing selection of food, they have a trained Vet Assistant employee, the groomers do amazing jobs and are highly empathetic to the dogs. You can tell it is a good atmosphere here!"

"Went in today to look for turtle food. Said hello to the girl sitting at the counter. No response. She was head down buried in her phone. Look around for a few minutes with my daughter. My husband came in, I told him that I wasn't able to find the turtle food. Not even a flinch from the girl still buried in her phone. The three of us left, I said have a good day, still nothing. I don't think she even knew we were there. The turtle food wasn't a major for me. Customer service is though, we won't be back."

"Just lovely staff. So king and attentive and happy. I absolutely loved my dogs grooming. And they put a very classy satin bow tie on him. Not like a piece of cloth bandana like most places"