Introduction
The evolving pet care industry in India is witnessing a transformative wave led by a young entrepreneur who is redefining pet grooming through respect, skill, and professionalism. Garima Khanna’s journey from a passionate dog lover to the founder of PetPipers highlights a commitment to enhancing the grooming experience for pets, their owners, and the groomers themselves. This article explores her innovative approach and the wider impact on India’s growing pet care market.
Understanding Pet Grooming Beyond Appearance
Many pet owners perceive grooming as a simple process involving a quick bath and trim. However, effective pet grooming demands much more: skill, patience, and emotional understanding to ensure the comfort and well-being of animals who cannot verbalize their fears or discomfort.
Garima Khanna’s deeper appreciation for this reality started in 1999 in Saharanpur, near Delhi, where professional grooming services were nearly nonexistent. Driven by a love for dogs and self-education through books, she personally groomed her own dog, developing her expertise through dedication and practice.
Spotting a Gap in the Market
Upon moving to Delhi-NCR, Garima identified persistent challenges despite the city’s size. Trained, affordable, and compassionate grooming services were scarce. She recognized a significant gap in India’s pet grooming market characterized by three key issues:
- Lack of quality grooming centers in Delhi-NCR
- Limited convenient options for elderly pet owners
- Low pay and little professional respect for groomers
Many groomers operated from vans, picking up pets and grooming them inside vehicles. This practice incurred high costs, demanded constant maintenance, and often caused pets anxiety by removing them from the familiarity of their homes.
Launching PetPipers to Make a Difference
In response, Garima founded PetPipers in 2017, shifting her planned career path from marketing to addressing this unmet need. Her vision was to create a business model that prioritized both the welfare of pets and the dignity of groomers by focusing on thorough training, equitable compensation, and professional recognition.
Growth of India’s Pet Care Market
India’s pet care sector is expanding rapidly alongside rising urban pet ownership. Pet spending reached $3.6 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $7 billion by 2028. Grooming forms a significant component of this growth, reflecting the increasing humanization of pets.
Nonetheless, the grooming industry remains largely unregulated. Many practitioners lack formal training or certifications and often do not comprehend breed-specific needs, animal behavior, or safe handling techniques—leading to stress or minor injuries for pets.
Building a Respectful Team
PetPipers commenced operations in Delhi-NCR in 2019 with a core philosophy centered on training, fair remuneration, and respect for grooming professionals. Ashish, a groomer with almost 15 years of experience, notes that the workplace has afforded him both dignity and professional development.
Sujith, formerly employed in a call center, now earns triple his previous salary and finds fulfillment in his work. Prior to full deployment, Garima ensured her first groomers received comprehensive training, enabling them to transition smoothly into their new roles.
Groomers’ Unique Journeys
Ashish and Sujith candidly reflect that “the job found us.” Ashish joined PetPipers in 2018 earning Rs 20,000, and now makes Rs 55,000 while also mentoring others. Sujith, inspired by his childhood dog who saved him from a wolf, became an expert trainer within two and a half months, currently grooming 80–100 pets monthly with earnings around Rs 30,000 plus performance bonuses.
Garima emphasizes that grooming transcends affection; it requires specialized knowledge to interpret and address non-verbal cues from animals. PetPipers combines client education with comprehensive groomer training and enforces strict policies protecting staff dignity, including declining clients who mistreat personnel.
“Respect for groomers is a non-negotiable part of our business.” — Garima Khanna
Growing the Business Internationally
After establishing in New Delhi, PetPipers expanded internationally, inaugurating a second branch in Dubai in 2022 and a third in Mumbai four months ago. Garima developed a scalable operational model with a dedicated bookings team in Mumbai, groomers distributed across locations, and conducts bi-monthly reviews.
The company employs 12 groomers in Delhi, 4 in Mumbai, and 6 in Dubai. Clients schedule services via online platforms or WhatsApp, with tools and supplies centralized in a Delhi warehouse.
Careful Training Builds Trust
New groomers undergo a phased training regimen starting with comfort-building exercises around animals before technical instruction. They review grooming videos, assist experienced groomers, and progressively assume independent responsibilities.
Training encompasses breed-specific needs and highlights grooming’s significance to animal health and well-being. The level of proficiency dictates which breeds groomers handle, spanning from Labradors to Poodles.
Impact and Customer Satisfaction
In seven years, PetPipers has trained approximately 24 groomers and served 15,000 pet owners across Delhi and Dubai. Delhi alone accounts for nearly 800 clients. Service pricing ranges from Rs 750 to Rs 2,000 depending on pet size and breed.
Clients recognize the difference PetPipers offers. Cherry Sahini praises the convenience and affordability of at-home services and highlights the groomers’ affectionate care for her dog Oreo, who eagerly welcomes their visits. Similarly, Shruthi, who owns one dog and four cats, commends the gentle handling, noting groomers remain calm despite occasional animal bites due to fear.
Working Towards Recognition for Groomers
Garima’s long-term ambition is to elevate pet groomers to recognized professionals in India, advocating for respect and awareness of grooming as a skillful vocation. PetPipers’ training spans 60 days, with groomers earning between Rs 22,000 and Rs 25,000 at minimum.
She envisions imparting dignity and fair remuneration to blue-collar roles and is fundraising to expand training and establish grooming academies that recruit talent from smaller towns.
Redefining Care Work in India
Garima Khanna’s journey reflects more than entrepreneurship; it challenges the cultural perception of care work in India. PetPipers exemplifies how success integrates quality service, compassion, and respect for all stakeholders involved—pets, owners, and groomers alike.
