[Adopted 6-21-2016 by L.L. No. 16-2016]
A.Â
This Legislature hereby finds and determines that pets are an integral
part of many families in the County of Suffolk. This Legislature further
finds and determines that many families choose to use pet groomers
to maintain their pet's appearance, health or well-being, entrusting
them to the care of professionals skilled in styling animals. This
Legislature finds that pet groomers provide their services in fixed
storefronts and mobile grooming vans, or they provide in-home services.
This Legislature determines that, unfortunately, some pet groomers
do not adhere to appropriate safety and sanitary practices, endangering
the health and well-being of pets placed in their care. This Legislature
also finds that irresponsible actions by some pet groomers can cause
pets to be injured, suffer allergic reactions or even die. This Legislature
further finds that pet groomers should be required to register with
the County of Suffolk and follow basic rules to provide safe grooming
services to County residents.
B.Â
Therefore, the purpose of this article is to require pet groomers
to register with the County and to follow common-sense care and safety
regulations when providing their services.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
A person who is engaged in learning and acquiring knowledge
of pet grooming or styling under the direction and supervision of
a pet groomer.
A piece of equipment that is attached to, or near, a cage
or enclosure for the purpose of drying or aiding in the drying of
a pet contained in a cage or enclosure, and which is capable of functioning
without a person manually holding a dryer.
A safe and humane container for the keeping and/or housing
of pets in a facility.
The Commissioner of the Suffolk County Department of Labor,
Licensing and Consumer Affairs.
The Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer
Affairs.
When the skin of any pet or person is broken or a pet has
an allergic reaction during the course of a grooming session.
Any dog, cat or other animal accepted for grooming or styling.
Any product, chemical, tool or piece of equipment which is
safe for use on pets.
Any individual who clips, trims, styles, bathes or dries
a pet for financial remuneration.
Any person, corporation, firm or proprietorship or other
entity or business organization that engages in a business that provides
pet grooming or styling services. This shall include businesses that
provide their services at a commercial building, from a mobile unit,
from the business owner's home, or at a customer's home, grounds or
business using equipment provided by a pet groomer.
Any tool or piece of equipment used or attached to a grooming
arm, tub or other facility, fixture or equipment to hold a pet safely
and under control.
A.Â
No pet grooming business shall operate within the County of Suffolk
unless it has registered with the Department in accordance with the
provisions of this section. The initial application fee for registration
of a pet grooming business shall be $50. Registration shall be filed
biennially for a fee of $100.
B.Â
Each registrant must provide the following information and appropriate
supporting documentation to the Department:
C.Â
No applicant for registration or renewal shall have any outstanding
judgment for child support against him or her, or be in arrears in
child-support payments as determined by official court records or
official government records, at the time an application is filed for
such registration or renewal. If an applicant has such a judgment
against him or her, or is in such arrears, but is current in payments
on a judicially approved, or Child Support Enforcement Bureau sanctioned,
payment schedule to pay off or reduce such judgment or arrears, then
such individual shall not be deemed ineligible for registration or
renewal on the grounds of such judgment or arrears. At least 30 days
prior to the expiration of a registration, the Office shall send a
written notice to a registrant informing said registrant of his or
her obligation to comply with the provisions of this section pertaining
to compliance with child-support obligations. If necessary, a second
written notice shall be sent by the Office to a registrant 60 days
after the registration has lapsed, informing said registrant of his
or her obligation to comply with the provisions of this section pertaining
to compliance with the child-support obligations. In addition, the
County Department of Social Services, through its Child Support Enforcement
Bureau, shall notify all current noncustodial parents of the obligations
contained herein.
D.Â
The Department shall provide each pet grooming business which has
complied with registration requirements a registration certificate
and an identification card, which shall have a registration number
and expiration date.
E.Â
Pet grooming businesses shall display their County registration number
on all vehicles and identification used by employees.
A.Â
No natural person shall provide services as a pet groomer in Suffolk
County unless he/she has registered with the Department in accordance
with the provisions of this article. The initial application fee for
registration as a pet groomer shall be $25. Registration shall be
filed biennially for a fee of $50. Registrants who are owners of registered
pet grooming businesses shall be exempt from the pet groomer fees.
Registrants must be at least 18 years of age.
B.Â
Each registrant must provide the following information and appropriate
documentation to the Department.
(1)Â
Proof of age.
(2)Â
Documents demonstrating that the applicant has:
[Amended 7-25-2017 by L.L. No. 19-2017]
(a)Â
Received training in the field of pet grooming for at least
150 hours as an apprentice;
(b)Â
Continually operated a business providing pet grooming services
or has been employed as a pet groomer for a period of at least one
year prior to the effective date of this article; or
(c)Â
Completed a course in pet grooming that has been approved by
the Department.
C.Â
The Department shall provide each pet groomer who has complied with
the registration requirements a registration certificate and an identification
card, which shall have a registration number and expiration date.
D.Â
Natural persons who are employed by only one pet grooming business
shall be exempt from the individual pet groomer registration requirements
set forth in this article.
A.Â
Pet grooming businesses shall provide temporary housing for pets
that is in good repair, safe, secure and stable. Pets should be able
to sit, stand and turn around comfortably in any crate or enclosure.
All pet housing shall be sufficiently ventilated and climate-controlled
for the health and safety of the pet.
B.Â
Pet grooming businesses and groomers must offer fresh water to any
pet confined more than four hours.
C.Â
No pet shall be left unsupervised while on a grooming table or in
the bathing areas.
D.Â
Bathing areas used by grooming businesses should be in safe, operational
condition with nonslip flooring for pets and pet groomers. Water temperature
should be set appropriately to prevent injury to pets.
E.Â
All equipment, tools and products used by pet grooming businesses
shall be in good working condition. All pet restraints used shall
be both secure and pet-friendly. Pet grooming businesses and pet groomers
shall only use products and/or chemicals in the grooming and styling
of pets that are pet-friendly. Any topical pesticide used on a pet
shall be approved by the New York State Department of Environmental
Conservation.
F.Â
Pets in box dryers shall be attended to by at least one person in
the room at all times.
G.Â
The facilities used by pet grooming businesses shall be clean, neat
and orderly, with enclosures and work spaces cleaned between use by
different pets. Facilities shall have appropriate ventilation and
first aid kits available for pets and personnel.
H.Â
All facilities used by pet grooming businesses shall have emergency
procedures to assure the health and safety of pets in the event of
an emergency situation. This includes, but is not limited to, the
name and contact information of a local emergency veterinarian to
be used by pet groomers or pet owners in the event of a pet's medical
emergency.
I.Â
Pet grooming businesses shall keep and maintain records of all clients
and their respective pets, including, but not limited to: the name
of the pet, the name, address and phone number of the pet owner; any
known allergies of the pet; the services provided; and the dates of
services rendered. Incident reports shall be created in the event
of an incident occurring with a pet. General records shall be retained
for at least one calendar year from the date of service. Incident
reports shall be retained for at least three years from the date of
service.
J.Â
Apprentices working in a pet grooming business must be under the
supervision of a pet groomer.
A.Â
Any pet grooming business which violates any of the provisions of
this article shall be subject to a civil penalty of no less than $500
nor more than $1,000 for each violation. Each action in violation
of this article shall constitute a separate and distinct violation.
B.Â
The Department is hereby empowered to revoke or deny a registration
certificate to any pet grooming business or pet groomer which or who
fails to file all required information, files falsified information
or is found responsible for more than three violations during any
registration period of two years. Any pet grooming business or pet
groomer whose registration is revoked or denied may reapply after
a period of two years.
C.Â
Any civil penalty, revocation or denial of registration may only
be assessed by the Commissioner following a hearing and opportunity
for an alleged violator to be heard.
D.Â
In addition to any civil penalties imposed by the Commissioner pursuant
to this article, any person who shall conduct a pet grooming business
requiring registration under this article without obtaining the registration
therefor or who shall continue to engage in such business after having
a registration revoked or denied shall be guilty of a misdemeanor
and, upon conviction, shall be subject to a fine of not more than
$5,000 or imprisonment for up to one year, or both. Each such violation
shall be deemed a separate offense.
This article shall be enforced by the Department of Labor, Licensing
and Consumer Affairs.
The Commissioner of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Consumer
Affairs is hereby authorized and empowered to issue and promulgate
such rules and regulations as he or she may deem necessary for the
implementation and enforcement of this article.
This article shall apply to all pet grooming businesses operating
in Suffolk County on or after the effective date of this article.
This article shall take effect 180 days following its filing
in the office of the Secretary of State.
