Mrs. Mobile Pet Grooming

Published 9:00 pm Sunday, November 12, 2006

Owner: Danielle Dennis

What: A pet grooming service that comes to the customer’s home. Pets – dogs, cats and other critters, too – get one-on-one attention in a specially outfitted van. Grooming includes bath and a hair trim if needed, a nail trimming, an ear cleaning and for dogs that need it, anal gland expressing. Groomers also can provide tooth brushing and “the FURminator special”: groomers use a special brush that removes shedding hair from a dog’s undercoat.

Service area: The business is based in Snohomish and Dennis said groomers will travel to most of the county and sometimes beyond.

Typical customer: Pet owners who like the convenience and individual attention of a mobile groomer. Some of Mrs. Mobile’s customers are elderly or disabled and find it difficult to get out of the house.

Founded: In 1994 when Dennis and her husband were searching for a small business she could manage while raising her children.

Employees: Dennis employs one full-time and one part-time groomer. She’d like to hire another but she said it’s difficult to find experienced, reliable groomers. Those in the business typically learn by attending a grooming school or by hands-on training with experienced groomers.

Most unusual pet groomed: A guinea pig. “Sometimes you don’t ask questions,” Dennis said.

Notable: Mrs. Mobile has no shortage of customers. The business has grown steadily, and last year Dennis added a second van. The business grooms about 150 pets a month, mainly dogs. “We’re growing by leaps and bounds,” she said.

Quotable: “Mobile pet grooming is more personal. We deal with one animal at a time and we meet the clients at their residences.”

Contact: 360-862-9191