Dog grooming release form: a free template

What a grooming release form covers

A grooming release form records the owner’s contact details, the pet’s health and vaccines, and the owner’s consent to the risks of grooming: matting and shave-downs, older or sick pets, skin nicks, stress, and emergency vet care. It also states your payment, cancellation and pickup rules, and is signed before the first visit.

Copy the text below into your own document. Replace everything in [brackets]. Remove anything you don’t do.

The template

[Shop name] grooming release form

Owner: name, phone, email, address, and an emergency contact.

Pet: name, breed, age, weight, and the pet’s regular vet with their phone number.

Health: allergies, medicines, seizures, heart or breathing problems, skin conditions, recent surgery, and anything else we should know.

Behavior: has your pet ever bitten, snapped or been hard to handle? Is your pet sensitive about feet, ears, face or tail?

1. Vaccines

I confirm my pet is up to date on [rabies and the other vaccines the shop requires] and will show proof. [Shop name] may refuse service to a pet without proof.

2. Matting and shave-downs

Matted coats can hide skin problems and may need to be shaved short. Removing mats can cause redness, itching or small nicks, and the skin under them may show problems that were already there. I agree that [Shop name] may shave my pet when brushing out would be painful, and that a matting charge of [amount or rule] applies.

3. Older, sick or nervous pets

Grooming can be stressful for older pets, pets with health problems and nervous pets. [Shop name] will take extra care, may stop a groom if my pet is too stressed, and will charge only for the work done.

4. Accidents and vet care

Pets can move suddenly, and nicks or minor injuries can happen even with careful handling. If my pet is hurt or becomes ill, [Shop name] will contact me. If I can’t be reached, I authorize [Shop name] to take my pet to [my vet / the nearest vet] and I agree to pay for that care.

5. Fleas and ticks

If fleas or ticks are found, [Shop name] may give a flea bath for [amount or rule] to protect other pets.

6. Payment, cancellations and pickup

Payment is due at pickup. Please give [24 or 48] hours’ notice to cancel. [Missed visits may require a deposit for future bookings.] Pets not picked up by [time] may be charged [amount or rule].

7. Photos

[Shop name] may share photos of my pet on its social media and website. [ ] Yes [ ] No

Signature, printed name and date. I have read this form and agree to it for this and future visits.

This template is general information, not legal advice. Laws on liability waivers, deposits and fees differ by state. WagTab makes grooming software and isn’t a law firm.

Tips for using it

Have every new client sign before the first groom, and keep it on file.
Show the matting part again at drop-off when a dog arrives matted.
Put the same cancellation rule in your confirmation texts. Cutting no-shows
Review the form each year, and when you add a service like a van or a cat groomer.

How WagTab helps

Vaccines with expiry dates on every pet, with a warning before you book a pet whose required vaccines have run out.
Notes, alerts and bite warnings on the pet, shown on the visit and the grooming board.
Documents keep the shop’s papers in one place.

Forms clients sign on their phone are not built yet.

Release form questions

Does a grooming release form protect me from being sued?

Not completely. A signed form shows the client knew the risks, but it doesn’t excuse careless work, and how far it holds up depends on your state. Ask a local lawyer to check yours.

Do I need a new form for every visit?

Usually one signed form covers future visits, as the template says. Ask the client to update it when the pet’s health changes.

Keep every pet’s vaccines and notes in one place

$20 a month for the whole shop. More guides: all guides

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