Granby Pet Groomer Gains Planning and Zoning Approval

A special permit for a dog and cat grooming business on Salmon Brook Street was approved by the Granby Planning and Zoning Commission Tuesday night. 

West Suffield resident Angela Spaulding, the applicant, gained approval from the commission for a business located at 518 Salmon Brook St., a storefront within the Granby Commons (New England Pizza Restaurant Plaza). 

“I think it’s pretty straight forward,” said commission Chair Paula Johnson. 

Director of Community Development Fran Armentano echoed Johnson’s sentiments, and added that the plaza is a good location for the business. 

Spaulding said for the past 11 years, she has been working with a local groomer and has now chosen to start a business on her own.

“I decided to pursue and open my own shop,” she said. 

Spaulding said she received her first job as a dog bather back in 1990 in the state of Maine. Since that time, she has since become certified as a pet groomer and took classes in animal behavior to better understand the animals she would be working with. 

“I am certified in animal behavior, which I think is a big factor,” Spaulding said. “If you don’t understand the animal then you can’t really understand how to groom them. They all have different needs and different fears.”

The hours of the establishment approved by the commission are 8 a.m.- 6 p.m. on Monday through Saturday. To combat several dogs and owners arriving and waiting to be groomed all at one time, Spaulding said she will schedule separate appointments. 

“If I know that one dog is coming in, I can get the dog in and settled before the next client comes in,” she said. 

Spaulding confirmed that there would be a waiting area for the dogs within the facility, and that she would not use any pesticides. She added that dogs would remain on a leash, and that the facility would not have dogs staying overnight. 

According to Armentano, the business will be located at storefront five in the plaza, which is a total of 1,000 square feet, serviced by both well and a septic system. 

Armentano said the commission approved a special permit last year for dog grooming across the street at 565 Salmon Brook St. (Country Pizza Plaza), however the applicant did not move forward with the permit due to the applicant operating out of Horse and Hounds.