Pets have been a vital part of people’s lives for centuries. Often seen as honorary family members and sometimes dubbed “fur babies,” pets have, in recent years, grown in importance to younger generations who either cannot afford to raise or do not want to have children. Their financial investment into these furry friends is significantly less steep while still offering the love, connection and camaraderie humans crave.
That shift has transformed the pet industry at large. Today, many owners celebrate their pets’ birthdays with parties, dress them in seasonal outfits, bring them on vacations, commission professional portraits and prioritize premium food, enrichment toys and spa-like grooming services. What was once considered an occasional splurge has, for many households, become a regular part of pet care. The experts agree: love for pets is only growing, and the COVID-19 pandemic played a role in that shift.
“People are absolutely treating their pets as their ‘kids’ more today than ever before,” says Abby Parker, a groomer at Temple of the Dog Grooming Salon in Oklahoma City. “The dog world changed drastically during the pandemic, and Temple of the Dog opened right on the heels of that in 2021. Nearly half of the population in America adopted a new pet during the pandemic and they had more time than ever to spend with them. We bonded with our pets in ways during that time that hadn’t been seen before. Working in the industry, we see every day how much people love and care for their pets.”
With the indulgence into the “fur baby” mentality and the pampering that comes with it, salons like Temple of the Dog have expanded their services to accommodate. Owners aren’t simply looking for a bath and haircut anymore; many seek an experience that prioritizes comfort, reduces stress and creates a positive outing for their pets.
“Our sole focus at Temple of the Dog is compassionate and proficient grooming, so any expansion of services has been to improve upon the same business model we’ve had since opening,” says Parker.
In addition to online report cards implemented a few years in, the salon also underwent a major expansion.
“When we first opened, we had a 1,330-square-foot space. We have since expanded to 2,660-square-feet with one side for our stall-style kennels and bathing area, and the other side solely for grooming,” says Parker. “Expanding the salon allowed for the dogs to have a quiet, calm environment while being groomed to ensure every dog is having the most positive experience possible at the salon.”
If you take your pet to Temple of the Dog in the future, one thing you’ll leave with is a photo souvenir.
“One thing that we have always offered is free photos at the end of every service with our featured background,” says Parker. “Shayna, one of the owners, spends a lot of time curating each background and sourcing props to implement in them. Our backgrounds are always coordinated with either what’s happening seasonally or what’s relevant in the world. We do everything from Christmas to the World Cup.”
For many, pets have become something far more than just an animal to feed and train.
“It’s not easy to leave your pet in the care of somebody else, especially when they are an integral part of your family, so we try out best to make sure every client who walks in the door knows their dog will always be treated with compassion, love and respect,” says Parker.
