Why Shear Standards of Grooming?

To experience a better standard of grooming.

Shear Standards of Grooming in Cedar Rapids, Iowa provides one-on-one grooming care for your pets with strong attention to detail and a love for our craft. Our professional pet stylists hold themselves and their work to an incredibly high standard. We never compromise on quality or care. Our dedication and experience is something you can always rely on.

How We Are Raising the Standard

We believe that a good haircut isn’t enough anymore. We believe in grooming care that is catered to you and your pets - a customized experience to suit your needs. We believe that if your pet requires special treatments, care, or time, it is just part of your service and not something you need to ask for or pay additional fees to receive. 

At Shear Standards of Grooming, we pride ourselves on the intimate relationships we form with the pets in our care. We build bonds of trust, understanding, and mutual respect. Taking care to note changes in behavior, body condition, new growths or soreness helps us monitor the health and happiness of your pets. We inform you of any issues or concerns, placing the well-being of the animal above all else. We are observant and detail oriented with a wealth of knowledge and resources behind us. This is our Standard of care.

We work with pets who are friendly and outgoing and pets who are nervous or don’t trust easily. We have the skills and patience to work with all types of clients. Helping to educate on proper maintenance, providing resources for training, or troubleshooting concerns with you is part of our core beliefs. Our goal is to be the Standard of care you can expect at any salon. We promise to provide an unforgettable experience above the rest.

Where We Started

As a team, Allie and Chelsea have a rich background in professional grooming services with a strong vision for their future and the future of grooming. In the heart of Eastern Iowa, they have built Shear Standards of Grooming as a luxury pet grooming salon, showcasing the best experience that grooming has to offer.

Allie

As a lifelong pet lover, Allie grew up in the grooming industry. Allie has been trained by old-school groomers, offering her a wealth of knowledge. While this unique experience is invaluable, she remains focused on continuing education and modern pet grooming techniques. Since childhood, Allie has competed in grooming competitions, spent hundreds of hours in private grooming lessons with the best in the grooming industry, owned and operated her own small business, and successfully shown her dogs in conformation, as well as other sports.

With Allie’s wide variety of experience and professional training, this has allowed her to view the pet grooming industry from many different perspectives. When opening Shear Standards of Grooming in Cedar Rapids, she thought, “We could be doing this better.” Allie has never been satisfied with “good enough” in the grooming industry - and she wants to instill this mentality in her clients.

Chelsea

Working with animals has been a passion for Chelsea since she was a young age. Chelsea has worked in a wide variety of animal-focused roles. This includes doggy daycare operations, dog boarding, dog rescues, in-store dog training classes, and local pet grooming salons. She trains and competes in a range of dog sports with her dogs in her free time. Chelsea strongly believes that when it comes to the animal industry, learning never truly stops. Her knowledge and techniques are always evolving. It is a personal goal of Chelsea to stay relevant with leading grooming techniques.

Outside of the grooming salons, animal behavior and training are a strong interest for Chelsea. When working with clients, both old and new, she strives to understand and help each animal feel their best. Grooming can make some dogs nervous and having the patience to work them through it is crucial. Chelsea uses her extensive animal knowledge and experience to adjust, adapt to, and spoil each dog that comes to the salon. You must understand that your pet’s trust, health, and happiness are the top priority for Chelsea at Shear Standards of Grooming.

At Shear Standards of Grooming, when it comes to your pet’s grooming experience, your standards should be high; ours certainly are.

See the Grooming Professionals Before You Meet Them

  • Allie

    Owner, Groomer

  • Chelsea

    Owner, Groomer

FAQs

  • To Shear Standards of Grooming, it means that everything is included in one price. Things like nail grinding, teeth brushing, or specialty shampoo…if your pet needs it, we do it. This is perfect for pets who have special shampoo needs; hairy pets who require de-shedding treatment, pets with allergies, or pets with sensitive skin. The only thing that will ever be an additional fee is pets who bring in fleas or have excessive matting that require additional time and care from our team.

  • If your pet has fleas, you will need to treat with preventative treatment (Nexguard, Frontline, Capstar, etc.) to kill any current fleas PRIOR to any appointment. After your dog receives treatment, we can schedule a flea bath. Due to the extra time this treatment requires, this service does incur an additional fee.

    We also recommend disinfecting your home and washing any bedding as fleas can still reside in your house.

  • This is handled on a case-by-case basis. If the tangles are easily brushed out without harming your pet, we may be able to save the coat. If the matting is too extensive, we will be required to cut your pet’s hair short to relieve the issue. This is the most humane thing to do, and we always prioritize an animals health and well-being over a styled haircut.

    If you are unsure of the condition of your pet, please consult with us. We would be happy to give you our professional opinion.

  • The short answer is no. Both of these practices are usually unnecessary and can cause further issues for many pets. We recommend if your pet has any issues with these to consult a licensed vet for assistance.

    For more info on ear plucking and anal gland treatments, please check out our blog.

  • Per Iowa state law, we are required to have proof of rabies, distemper and parvo. All shots are required to be signed off by a vet/issued on vet letterhead. We are unable to accept a rabies tag or self-administered vaccines.

    NOTE: While we do not require bordatella vaccine, we do recommend it.

  • We are required by Iowa State law to have a copy of your pet's rabies, distemper, and parvo vaccines on file. We require them prior to any scheduling in order to verify all the vaccines are in compliance.

  • No. We require pets are picked up shortly after their service in completed. We are an in-and-out salon with limited kennel space. We only work on one pet at a time. When their services are completed, they get to go home. This system is less stressful for your pet(s) and their groomers.

  • No. For safety, we want your pet's full attention on us and their groom. We also enjoy taking that time to bond and really get to know each animal we are working on.

  • Your pet loves you! It is like dropping a human kid at daycare: they might not want to go at first or they may ask for extra hugs, but once you leave, they realize their friends are here!

    They look to you for direction, so the best thing you can do is be confident that your pet is in good hands. If you feel this way, they will feel more confident, too. We know that your pet will do great during their groom, and we will always give you a full report at pick up.

  • It depends on the type of pet you have. Usually anywhere between four and eight weeks. Longer length haircuts should be done more frequently to prevent matting. We require all of our haircut clients to be on a consistent schedule.

  • You can schedule by giving us a call. at (319) 841-2025. To expedite this process, please fill out our client intake form and send over a copy of your pets vaccines PRIOR to making an appointment.