As the proportion of Taiwanese people raising pets continues to increase, the pet grooming industry has flourished, with the overall market size reaching approximately NT$10 billion (about US$307 million) annually. In response, Taiwan's Ministry of Agriculture has announced new standardized contract requirements for dog and cat grooming services. These regulations specify what must and must not be included in grooming service contracts, aiming to address common disputes in the industry such as handling incidents involving pets during grooming, contract cancellations and refunds, as well as prohibiting clauses that involve veterinary medical procedures or claims of medical efficacy, and other unilateral terms favoring businesses.
The Ministry explained that as more Taiwanese consumers increasingly regard their dogs and cats as close companions, family members, or even their own children, pet service providers have expanded their offerings to meet these demands. Common grooming services include extensive treatments such as hair trimming, nail clipping, and bathing, as well as simpler services focused solely on bathing.
To strengthen oversight of pet grooming businesses and prevent consumer disputes, the Ministry has formulated and announced the "Standardized Contract Requirements for Dog and Cat Grooming Services". These requirements regulate how to manage abnormal situations occurring during service periods, refund policies in case of contract termination, and the responsibilities and procedures if pet owners delay picking up their animals.
Additionally, the regulations explicitly forbid contract terms that involve animal medical treatments or claims of medical benefits, as well as any one-sided provisions that unfairly advantage grooming businesses.
The Ministry of Agriculture will work with the National Federation of Pet Business Associations and the Taiwan Kennel Association to actively promote awareness of these contract requirements among grooming businesses, practitioners, and pet owners. Pet owners are urged to sign these standardized contracts, which comply with the new regulations, before entrusting their beloved pets to grooming service providers.
This move comes amid a booming pet industry in Taiwan, where the pet grooming market alone has grown to about NT$10 billion annually, part of a broader pet industry valued at over NT$50 billion. The rapid growth in pet ownership-1.48 million dogs and 1.31 million cats as of recent statistics-reflects changing societal attitudes that increasingly treat pets as family members, fueling demand for diverse and high-quality pet care services including grooming.
