Groomers and Pet Handlers MUST be certified in CPR and Basic Life Support procedures.

    New Jersey Requirements for Pet and Groomer Handlers:

    In addition to the outline of Bijous Law of groomers licensure, an amendment should be made setting a requirement for ALL pet handling personnel to be equipped in Basic Life Support and to have the necessary CPR and First Aid equipment in conjunction with the trained procedures.

    Being a certified EMT-B/Firefighter in the State of New Jersey, it is a requirement that I know and understand the basic life support techniques to ensure proper lifesaving care during times of crisis. It is our job to attempt in stabilizing the patient until we can get them to the advanced care needed. Along with knowing techniques for humans, we have incorporated training and equipment for pets as well. Both our Fire and EMS apparatuses are equipped with the basic tools to assist in stabilizing/reviving your pet during our emergency calls. Although pet handling is not our main duty, WE ARE PREPARED for the scenario.

    Unfortunately, you cannot just call 9-1-1 and have a mobile emergency vet unit dispatched to your home or establishment in less than a few minutes. This being more of a reason for any pet handling personnel to be equipped in the necessary training to stabilize your pet until they can transport them to a local facility. Pet handlers outside of the family home are aware that their type of work can be stressful on an animal. What happens when they go into cardiac or respiratory distress? What if they begin choking? How are you, as a pet handler, able to handle the situation?

    Just minutes can mean the difference between life or death…

    Saturday, August 11th at 10:00AM I dropped off my 2004 Persian feline, Mr. Salem Mugg’s, to the groomers for a routine bathing and clipping. At approximately 10:40AM I received a phone call from the groomer stating that she believed my cat had stopped breathing… I immediately dropped what I was doing and took the 4-5-minute rush to her store-front. Upon my entrance I found her holding Mr. Salem wrapped in one of her grooming towels. I knew immediately that he was in fact NOT breathing due to the lack of blinking and reaction in his eyes. I took hold of him and rushed out the door in route to the nearest animal hospital. As my boyfriend drove, my instinct took hold and knowing these moments were crucial to his survival, I began working CPR until we could arrive at a veterinary facility. Unfortunately, both local facilities were closed, despite google stating they were in operation…, one that had been in business for years was now a limousine service, and the other was down for maintenance. Despite our attempts, Mr. Salem passed away…

    Realistically he had passed before my attempts had begun. My window was lost before my arrival to the groomers, but I was desperate and didn’t want to give up.

    What was done wrong here?

    1. She did not take notice that my pet was in severe distress.
    2. She did not comprehend that my pet was in fact NOT BREATHING.
    3. She panicked.
    4. She called me instead of administering CPR/BLS and escorting him to a local vet for emergency care. Instead, she wasted crucial moments for me to arrive and escort him myself.

    My reason for this submission is NOT to denounce or blame the groomer, but to bring awareness to the importance of being appropriately trained in this type of profession. Due to her negligence and lack of knowledge, my cat lost his life and I lost a piece of my heart.

    I am pressing for the following requirements be amended into the current Bijous Law outline OR/ for an additional bill be passed enforcing these requests:
    Groomers and ALL pet handlers should A) be qualified in CPR/Basic Life Support of the animals they intend to work with B) Be adjacent AND/OR within reasonable distance to an OPEN emergency veterinary facility that can handle intensive care during hours of operation; have an on-call veterinary professional for the facility that can immediately come to the site if necessary. C) Extend curriculum requirements for handlers’ knowledge in animal behaviors and detecting potential life-threatening signs and situations.
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