BY NUALA MCALOON
Ian Elliott, a self-confessed dog lover, has been in the animal grooming business now for 16 years.
An idea that was initially conceived following a conversation with a vet, has since spiralled into a successful career for the Monea man who runs Kozie Kennels and Cattery.
Having displayed dogs and won many a prize at various shows down through the years, this is one career that Ian is clearly passionate about, one he has enjoyed as a hobby previously, and is now operating successfully as a profession.
Reared on a farm, Ian continues to run a small suckler herd of cows and calves, along with fulfilling his duties at the grooming parlour and kennels.
The boarding service caters mainly for dogs and cats, but is suitable for any family pet when their owners are away. Depending on the size, approximately five animals can be groomed a day, while at any given time, Ian has 22 double kennels and 10 catteries to accommodate his guests. Dogs will find kennels completely kitted with fleece blankets, scratching posts, mice and balls, while cats can enjoy the benefits of a plastic bed and fleece blanket.
Ian also runs a taxi service which enables him to collect and return pets to their owners in a specially designed van, something he explains is an additional bonus for customers who prefer not to have animals travel in a good car.
"I got the idea after I was chatting to a vet who told me there was a good opening for a dog grooming parlour in the area. So, after training in Belfast, I opened the parlour and since then it has been going from strength to strength."
Kozie Kennels and Cattery caters for various shapes and sizes and, depending on their breed, some can be groomed every eight weeks while others are attended to once a year.
"A grooming appointment normally lasts about three hours," Ian explains.
"The process involves the pet being clipped. The ears are cleaned and then they are bathed, conditioned, blow-dried and clipped again. The blow-dry can take up to 45 minutes alone. The nails are done as well, so really it is the full MoT', he explained.
" Deodorant, a special perfumed spray is also used. The whole experience I have to say is very rewarding. Dogs and cats can come in in a bad state but they go out bouncing."
As for pets boarding, the experience is equally as luxurious.
"We usually start at about 7.00am and walk the dogs three times a day. The dogs are all washed out and walked on the land with the cows. Some are fed once a day while others are fed twice, depending on the dog, and they are given fresh water. The cats come off second best as they don't need walked, but we hoover them out because they don't like water.
"The dogs are walked again at lunch-time but there is no feeding, just a treat such a dog biscuit. Then we are back up grooming and in the evening the dogs are walked and fed at seven before being bedded down for the evening."
Ian explains that while two or more dogs from the one home may be walked together, dogs from different homes are never mixed.
"We had 11 dogs last night, for example and they all got a good half hour's walk spread out over the day. They also have music throughout the day."
So, it's an all round luxury experience for the animals?
"Well, that's the way it has gone now. Dogs and cats are just like family members now. We have all heard of the saying, 'pets are not only for Christmas', and that is true. It's an all year round job to care, talk to, and buy treats for your pet. That's all part of the package now. People think the world of their animals, so we have to provide a home from home service."
As for the highlight of the job, Ian thoroughly enjoys working with pets.
"Animals can give you a lot of love', he said, " and I enjoy seeing the dogs and cats very happy. Customers come back and they see their cat meowing or their dog with treats and it is satisfying to see them go away happy. You are also your own boss in this job, which is nice."
As for the challenges, the unpredictable weather conditions can play havoc with the walking duties, but, on the whole, he is happy with his lot, with the positives far outweighing the negatives.
As for those wishing to pursue dog grooming as a career, Ian has the following advice: "You need to be very committed and have to love dogs and cats. You have to be prepared to walk the dogs up to four times a day. You also have to remember that people are paying you for a service, so you have to make sure you do what you say you are going to do. You have to be honest. People trust you with their family member because they are leaving them in your care. Really, it is no different to looking after people."
