News

If you have industry news that you'd like to share, please let us know! Send an email to admin@mybiga.org

  • 13 Apr 2023 6:28 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    BIGA Coffee Morning - Monday 24th April 10.30am - 11.30am

    Nathalie Doaré Ariey-Jouglard is the creator of DAATA, a grooming method that aims to improve the health of a pet's skin and hair, resulting in calmer salon visits. Nathalie's courses cover: 

    Anatomy and functioning of the skin and hair 

    Common skin problems 

    Studies of specific problems and diseases

    Advanced Cosmetology

    Click the link for further details:

    https://www.mybiga.org/sys/website/?pageId=18138


    Join us on Zoom, bring a tea or coffee and a bun - bring your dogs!

    We can't wait to see you.

    Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86784121951?pwd=c2dScGkxM1Z6U0RRdzRvb2doYlBwdz09



  • 05 Apr 2023 1:38 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    You may have seen recent marketing activity regarding the launch of iPet Network's new Professional Development Recognition courses, known as PDR courses.  Continued Professional Development is important in all sectors and dog grooming is no exception! Best practice in the industry is to achieve 30 hours of CPD each year and iPet Network are here to help!

     

    The first PDR course iPet Network has launched in collaboration with BIGA and The Groomers Spotlight is a great way to start 2023 and show your customers your commitment to their pets. The Health, Safety and Welfare in the Dog Grooming Salon course covers health and safety ensuring you, your customers and the animals you groom are safe in your salon.  This includes understanding biodiversity, refreshing your knowledge on animal welfare practices, updates in legislation, how to look after your long-term health, followed by up to date canine first aid!

     

    You will receive a certificate of completion to proudly show off your continued commitment to our wonderful industry, a certificate approved by iPet Network, the sector-specific awarding organisation in the animal care & veterinary science sector.  

    The course is only £29 for a limited time so enrol now using this link and click shop online https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/courses/online-courses/.

     

    Our current PDR courses include, but more to follow:

    • Health, Safety and Welfare in the Dog Grooming Salon
    • Customer Service Skills


  • 16 Mar 2023 5:28 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    2023 Dog Grooming Events

    22nd January 2023 The Grooming Show

    5th February 2023 Groomers Got Talent

    9th-12th March 2023 Crufts

    26th March 2023 The South East Grooming Show

    2nd April 2023 Salon Groomer Of The Year

    16th April 2023 The British Creative Dog Grooming Championships

    16th April Groom Fest South

    30th April 2023 Style to Rescue

    7th May 2023 N.I Grooming Challenge

    7th May 2023 Supergroom

    21st May 2023 The Great British Grooming Show

    11th June 2023 Groom Team England

    22nd-23rd July 2023 The Scottish Dog Grooming Convention

    13th August 2023 Premier Groom

    16th-17th September 2023 The Kent Grooming Showdown (not confirmed grooming comp date)

    17th September 2023 GroomFest

    23rd-24th September 2023 Groomania

    15th October 2023 The Great British Groom Off

    29th October 2023 The Groomers Market & Mini Mastergroom

    10th-12th November 2023 The International Grooming Conference


  • 16 Mar 2023 12:45 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    IPET NETWORK, BIGA AND THE GROOMERS SPOTLIGHT ANNOUNCE THEIR FIRST PDR COURSE

    iPET Network is excited to announce its first PDR course in Health, Safety and Welfare in the Dog Grooming Salon.

    The course provides learning opportunities to support the potential future licensing requirements for dog grooming and improve overall health, safety and welfare for both people and animals in the dog grooming salon.

    What will the course involve?

    100% Online Learning / 2 hours of study time / Gaining 2 PDR points

    Subjects covered:

    > Health & Safety

    > Biosecurity

    > Welfare (Human & Animal)

    > Canine First Aid

    The course cost: £29

    On successful completion, you will receive an e-certificate that can be printed at home and proudly presented in your salon. This will show your customers, your commitment to continuous learning and development.

    BOOK NOW: https://www.ipetnetwork.co.uk/courses/online-courses/

    iPET NETWORK, FOR PEOPLE, FOR PETS, FOR THE FUTURE.


  • 16 Mar 2023 12:43 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    BIGA are excited to announce their recent collaboration with iPET Network and The Groomers Spotlight, promoting trusted and high-quality courses for Dog Groomers to continue their professional learning. The courses will support their skills in a range of areas such as Health and Safety, Welfare for both people and Animals and Customer Service.

    It is vital that Dog Groomers stay up to date with both industry and legislative standards to raise and maintain best practice. With on-going consultations for licensing the Dog Grooming industry, it is important that support and education is provided for business owners. The course will help equip them to prepare for the standards that will be expected in relation to Health and Safety, Welfare, Organisational policies and processes etc.

    We are continuing to work with iPET Network and The Groomers Spotlight to develop and promote courses that are current and up to date. To find out more visit our website www.mybiga.org


  • 16 Mar 2023 12:05 PM | BIGA Admin (Administrator)

    BIGA Coffee Morning - Monday 27th March 10.30am - 11.30am

    Whether you already have a Savvy Pet Spa account or are thinking of getting it, here is your opportunity to learn from Jess and Grainne and ask questions - and don't forget members qualify for a 25% discount for the first 6 months!

    Join us on Zoom, bring a tea or coffee and a bun - bring your dogs!

    We can't wait to see you.

    Zoom link will be emailed to members.


  • 10 Dec 2021 8:55 PM | BIGA Chair (Administrator)


    The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA) would like to express its sincere thanks to one of the industry's leading lights, Colin Taylor, for his volunteer contributions to the association over the last five and a half years.

    The Pooch Perfect TV judge, who is also the organiser of the pet grooming industry awards and the recent International Grooming Conference, has recently stepped down from his role as a director on the BIGA board.

    "Colin has been instrumental in shaping BIGA from the start," said BIGA Chairperson Kristian Maris.

    "As one of our founding directors, Colin has helped to ensure that the authentic voice of pet groomers is heard by government when decisions are taken affecting their livelihoods."

    BIGA is an associate member of the Canine and Feline Sector Group, an advisory body to government which, for example, is currently developing the Animal Activity Licence for pet groomers. The CFSG remains instrumental formulating the government's advice around pet grooming services with respect to restrictions due to Covid-19.

    "There is so much happening across our industry at the moment," said Colin. "BIGA is now firmly established, I'm glad to have been part of the process, and I'm sure BIGA will continue to grow and develop as a critical force on behalf of pet grooming business owners in the coming exciting years."

    BIGA is a not-for-profit trade association and community support network of like-minded business owners in the pet grooming industry. To find out more about BIGA, please visit: www.mybiga.org


  • 26 Nov 2021 11:27 AM | BIGA Chair (Administrator)

    Dog grooming professionals from across the UK descend on the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Coventry this weekend for The International Grooming Conference, Sat-Sun 27-28 Nov.

    The conference is organised by Pooch Perfect TV judge Colin Taylor. Master of Ceremonies is Melanie Winters-Holmes.


    Seminars, Demonstrations, Workshops

    Saturday boasts a great selection of seminars, talks, workshops Q&As, with the likes of Julie Harris, Louisa Tandy, Lorraine Mottershead and other industry notables taking part. The day includes a sit-down chat with Pooch Perfect winner Kelly Davis.


    Tradestands

    The event features a large selection of tradestands for all your shopping needs - many likely to feature Black Friday deals! (see the list of tradestands further down)


    The International Grooming Conference

    Seminar participants at The International Grooming Conference 2019


    Industry Awards Night

    Saturday evening sees the return of the Industry Awards. For a list of all shortlisted nominees, please scroll down. 

    The Awards evening features dinner and dancing - so make sure to take and share plenty of images!


    Day Two - including Pooch Perfect contestants and Raffle Prizes

    Sunday continues with more seminars and demonstrations including appearances from Pooch Perfect Contestants.

    The event also includes a Raffle with the prize-givings Sunday afternoon.

    For more information about tradestands attending as well as the nominees of the Industry Awards, please visit the dedicated Facebook Group click here





  • 28 Mar 2021 2:58 PM | BIGA Chair (Administrator)

    Look out Mark Zuckerberg, BIGA Voice is about to eat your lunch.

    Members of the British Isles Grooming Association, BIGA, now have the ability to seek specialist advice within the BIGA Voice discussion forums on the member website.

    BIGA is thrilled to launch our new Professional Advisor forums and very pleased to welcome our specialist advisors. Members can simply log into the forum and ask their pressing questions within a safe, professional and courteous discussion board.


    BIGA's New Voices

    The newly launched forums and their respective advisors are:

    • Ask The Vet – with veterinarian and pet groomer, Sophie Bell.
    • Ask The Behaviourist – with certified animal behaviourist Andrew Hale.
    • Ask The Business Advisor – with experienced pet grooming business owner, Bill Betts.
    • Ask The Accountant – with accountant and finance specialist, Vicky Clark.
    • Ask The Groomer – with experienced pet groomer and instructor, Debby Knight.
    • Ask The HR Consultant - with HR consultancy business owner, Megan Saint.



    “Dog groomers are an extra pair of eyes and often spot things that the owner does not,” explains vet and groomer Sophie Bell (pictured). 


    Behaviourist Andrew Hale echoes Sophie’s comments above: “being on the front line, the groomer may well see the dog more than any other care professional.”

    As a trade association, BIGA is committed to helping pet groomers develop and sustain their businesses and incorporate best-practice – not just within animal welfare, but across all business considerations. 

    “I have learnt the hard way how to make a successful business out of grooming other people’s pets,” offers business advisor Bill Betts.

    Likewise, accountant Vicky Clark, who has worked directly with pet groomers develop a business from the garden shed into multiple salons, says “I want to help the members of BIGA get off on the right foot and grow a professional business.”

    Experienced groomer and instructor Debby Knight takes on the role for Ask The Groomer and is excited to share her experience in grooming and training. “My door is always open to both new and experienced groomers,” she says, adding that she is committed to helping improve the professionalism of all groomers.

    Human Resources Consultancy business owner Megan Saint contributes, "I have experience in working with several dog grooming businesses and believe that the industry could benefit from increased awareness of employment law and HR practices." 


    Start With Kindness

    BIGA’s chair, Kristian Maris, explains that running a business on your own can be isolating, and it’s difficult knowing what to do and where to turn. Turning to Facebook is helpful for many but can also be intimidating for fear of ridicule. “Recent months have shown this is not social media’s finest hour” says Kristian. 

    The BIGA discussion boards, by comparison, are a safe place for knowledge-sharing. "The Advisors are giving so generously of their time and expertise, and welcome questions at all levels."

    “The starting point is kindness,” adds BIGA Director Heidi Anderton. “This has always been the spirit of BIGA and why it has attracted like-minded members to help grow and establish a trade association for pet groomers that is also an essential community support network within our industry.”

    To learn more about BIGA's new voices, please click here


  • 23 Mar 2021 4:19 PM | BIGA Chair (Administrator)

    Update from CFSG - The Covid Exit Plan for England

    From the target date 29th March 2021, Groomers may undertake all grooming by appointment. Care should be taken to ensure COVID security when the pet is admitted or returned.

    Please see below and follow the link for full details;

    https://www.cfsg.org.uk/coronavirus/ 

    Go to: Business Guidance England - Steps out of lockdown March 2021

    Advice for Wales, Scotland and N Ireland avail at the link above.

    The rules are unchanged for the pet industry and the restrictions in place for lockdown remain.

    Step 1B (target, but no earlier than 29th March)

    • All activities requiring contact with the public should continue to be by appointment only so that only one person (household or support bubble) is on the premises at any time.
    • Handover of animals should continue to follow the protocol and take place where possible outdoors.
    • Training classes organised by a business, charity, public body or similar may take place for either up to six people or from two households in any place outdoors. The organisation should ensure the activity takes place in a COVID-secure manner to ensure there is no mixing. Trainer and clients should wear face coverings and maintain social distance.
    • Groomers may undertake all grooming by appointment. Care should be taken to ensure COVID security when the pet is admitted or returned.
    • Puppies or kittens may be collected from the breeder at a private home with the handover outdoors. Where the pet is bred at a commercial premises handover may take place indoors in a COVID-secure manner wearing facecovering and maintaining social distance. Viewing prior to purchase should continue remotely.
    • Adopters may attend a re-homing centre to collect an animal as a single household or support bubble. Where the re-homing organisation is not a private home, handover may take place indoors in a COVID-secure manner wearing facecovering and maintaining social distance. Otherwise handover should take place outside.

    When appropriate a dog may be taken by the re-homing organisation to a home to meet an existing dog outside.

    • A person relinquishing a pet may visit a re-homing centre to do so by appointment but must hand over the pet outside if the centre is a private home. Otherwise handover may take place inside in a COVID-secure manner wearing facecovering and maintaining social distance.
    • Boarding establishments were permitted to accept unvaccinated animals in the light of restricted availability of veterinary services. Establishments must now require animals to be vaccinated prior to boarding as if in normal circumstances.


    Step 2 (target, but no earlier than 12th April)

    • All activities requiring contact with the public should continue to be by appointment only so that numbers are limited following a risk assessment to maintain

    COVID-security to prevent indoor mixing of different households.

    • Handover of animals should continue to follow the protocol and take place where possible outdoors.
    • Adopters may attend a re-homing centre to meet an animal by appointment. Where the re-homing organisation is not a private home, the meeting may take place indoors in a COVID-secure manner wearing facecovering and maintaining social distance. Otherwise the meeting should take place outside.
    • Training classes may take place for either up to six people or from two households in any place outdoors except a private dwelling. Where the training is organised by a business, charity, public body or similar, and there has been a risk assessment larger groups are permitted commensurate with the venue. The organisation should ensure the activity takes place in a COVID-secure manner to ensure there is no mixing. Trainer and clients should wear face coverings and maintain social distance and hand washing after handling dogs is advised.
    • Grooming should follow guidance for non-essential retail.
    • COVID restrictions on dog walkers cease.

    Step 3 (target, but no earlier than 17th May)

    • Numbers should be limited following a risk assessment to maintain COVID-security to prevent indoor mixing of more than six people or two households or bubbles.
    • Handover of animals may take place indoors by appointment with up to six people or from two households or support bubble.
    • Training classes may take place for either up to six people or from two households in any place indoors except a private dwelling or outdoors for up to 30 people.

    Where the training is organised by a business, charity, public body or similar, and there has been a risk assessment larger groups are permitted commensurate with the venue. The organisation should ensure the activity takes place in a COVID-secure manner to ensure there is no mixing. Trainer and clients should wear face coverings and maintain social distance and hand washing after handling dogs is advised.

    • Breeders may allow in-person viewing of puppies and kittens from up to six people or two household or support bubbles
    • Purchasers may collect a pet indoors from a private dwelling by appointment for up to six people or two households or support bubbles.
    • Adopters may collect an animal from a rehoming centre indoors in a COVID-secure manner.

    Step 4 (target, but no earlier than 21st June)

    • All restrictions removed. The use of appointments and face coverings is likely to continue to be advised.

    --

    BIGA is an associate member of the Canine and Feline Sector Group (CFSG) which advises Defra (the Department for the Environment Food and Rural Affairs). Defra in turn works with Public Health England (an advisory group to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government) to determine central government's guidance for pet professionals. If you need to reach out with any concerns, you are welcome to contact BIGA by email on hello@mybiga.org.


The British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA)

A Not-for-Profit Trade Association and Community Support Network

 Registered at St. George’s House, 14 George Street, Huntingdon, Cambs. PE29 3GH. Reg. No. 10085801

Powered by Wild Apricot Membership Software