News

We’re thrilled to announce that Paula Bryan has officially taken the reins as the new Director of the British Isles Grooming Association (BIGA)!

With nearly 40 years of experience in the grooming industry, Paula brings a fresh perspective, a deep passion for training, and a commitment to raising industry standards. She is dedicated to driving BIGA forward through education, collaboration, and advocacy for professional registration to ensure high standards and credibility in the UK grooming industry.

Why join BIGA?
✅ Access to a professional network of groomers & experts
✅ Exclusive training resources & educational opportunities
✅ A voice in shaping legislation that impacts professional grooming
✅ Associate membership with CFSG, which advises the government on grooming policies

Want to hear more? Meet Paula at Crufts at the Clipit Grooming Stand (Hall 1, Stand 18) this March, where she’ll be discussing BIGA’s exciting future and how we can work together to shape the industry.

Join us in welcoming Paula to BIGA and celebrating this new chapter!

#BIGANews #GroomingIndustry #ProfessionalGrooming #Leadership #Education #BIGA #ClipitGrooming #Crufts

JOIN US AT PATS! PLEASE NOTE THAT WORKSHOPS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED Due to an insufficient number of entries, we have taken the difficult decision to cancel the workshops. Demos and talks will still take place - all welcome. Please see below. We are delighted to announce that For All DogKind Natural Grooming https://www.foralldogkind.co.uk/  has invited BIGA to take part in the annual PATS (Pets & Aquatics Trade Show) show in Telford this year. This will take place over 3 days: Sunday 29th September, Monday 30th September and Tuesday 1st October. We will be holding:  Grooming demonstrations on Poodle cross dogs (Doodles)  Talks covering a range of topics relating to pet groomers Find out more on the official PATS Website, click here, or read on to find out more about the Demonstrations.  DEMONSTRATIONS Grooming demonstrations on Poodle cross dogs (Doodles) How many groomers spend a large proportion of their time grooming doodles? A top groomer such as Groom Team England member Christine Anderton or Heidi Anderton will demonstrate a doodle groom – well worth watching!  Talks covering a range of topics relating to pet groomers Topics to be announced but here are some examples: Learn about pet grooming Improving your grooming business including how to add value by introducing pet retail BIGA Best Practice Certificate How social media can benefit your business How BIGA can improve and help your grooming business Looking forward to seeing you there.

The Dog Grooming Congress at The College of Animal Welfare is back on Sunday 23 June 2024!   Tickets are just £60 and the agenda is packed full of amazing demonstrations and presentations, plus an incredible line up of exhibitors!   If you’re a dog groomer or dog grooming student, this is the perfect event for you. 

Head over to https://bit.ly/3xkGCak for the full agenda and to book your ticket today! 

https://www.doggroominginsurance.co.uk/british-isles-grooming-association

We are delighted to announce that BIGA is registered with the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) and permitted to display their logo. This means that our members can be even more certain that their data is being treated carefully and taken very seriously.

Dog and Cat bites - Just part of the job?

Bites sustained by groomers are rarely recorded or even publicised outside of the grooming community, yet injuries can lead to periods of absence from work or even cause groomers to leave the industry.

BIGA has created the British Isles register of dog and cat bites occurring within pet grooming businesses. You don’t have to be a member of BIGA (although we’d love to have you on board). If you have been bitten whilst working, please record your information on the form.

The register will be open for future occurrences and the collated data will tell us the extent of the issue. We will be able to see if there are certain breeds, or ages, or health conditions that make pets more likely to bite. We can note warning signs and steps to be taken when those signs are exhibited. We will even be able to cross-check the register to see if an animal has shown previous signs of aggression, given the appropriate level of detail. This will be helpful in cases of litigation.

For further details - link to webpage: https://www.mybiga.org/Groomers-Bite-Register

Record your bite experiences - register is open to members and non-members.

Dog Bite Register: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/19PI97eOS9i5w0YWBurnMhbUHQsQoA3A2RhMMDt4S7WI/edit

Cat Bite Register: 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Au9sHYU1xlpBbIOo8N2MVCGiDnAdD8av-8NaIUeU3rk/edit

BIGA Grooming Meeting - Tuesday 27th June 7pm - 8pm

HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL THERE!

Do you have a grooming story you want to share? Questions? Hints and tips? Just want a natter? Join us for a chat on Tuesday evening - or just relax and listen in! Bring a drink, some nibbles and, of course, dogs are welcome!

Join us on Zoom, bring a drink and some nibbles. Dogs welcome!

We can't wait to see you.

Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/85489511745?pwd=dEdxWmNRSDA4eFB3ZXM0WTNmeGdzUT09

Tuft is the app for finding, booking and reviewing dog groomers. This month, Chloe Smith from Tuft will be telling us all about the app and how it can help us as pet groomers. 

Join us, hear what Chloe has to say and ask questions.

Bring a cuppa and your dogs, or listen in whilst you groom. 

Zoom link has been sent to members.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Following Rob's guest spot at our May Coffee Morning, you might be interested to know that he has a Live Reiki Level 1 day at the Kennel Club Building (Stoneleigh, Kenilworth) on Saturday 8 June and has a couple of spaces left. Normal price is £195 but, with BIGA discount, this is £170.

Rob is also running a Level 1 day on Monday 24 July at Gleniffer Hotel, Paisley - same discounts apply.

Rob's details can be found on the BIGA website (link below), where you can find details of his own website too.

https://www.mybiga.org/sys/website/?pageId=18057

Calling for a new generation BIGA Committee

to help BIGA grow

Have you got what it takes to help?

We are looking for member volunteers to help shape the way forward for BIGA, whether that's with skills (e.g. marketing, accounting, social media) or suggestions for, and assistance with, BIGA shows.

What expertise do you have? 

Would you like to participate in a member committee?

To become an active member of the BIGA community, please contact Carolyn at:

admin@mybiga.org

Help to make your organisation the best it can be!

Remember: BIGA is for groomers by groomers!