ANIMAL loving Cheshire pupils picking up their GCSE and A-Level results this week are being encouraged to consider a career in dog grooming.

Considered to be very much a growth industry, dog grooming has seen a surge in demand since the puppy boom during the pandemic.

As a result, canine grooming salons around the country are struggling to keep up, with one Leftwich-based business encouraging young people to consider it as a possible career.

The Ofqual regulated awarding organisation iPET Network offers dog grooming qualifications and is appealing for would-be groomers to sign up and become part of the growth industry.

Northwich Guardian: There has been a surge in demand for dog grooming

There has been a surge in demand for dog grooming

As a canine sector-specific awarding organisation, the company supports training providers around the country in providing the high-quality qualifications.

Sarah Mackay and Fern Gresty who run the company said: "Any school leaver who would like to be an entrepreneur or start their own business in the future should be looking at dog grooming as a sector of interest.

"The demand for dog grooming has never been stronger, and these millions of new puppy parents need to be reassured that the groomer they choose holds a nationally recognised qualification.

"Sadly, because of the pandemic lockdowns, some grooming businesses in the UK have not survived.

"That, coupled with the giant demand the remaining ones are experiencing, means only one thing - we need more qualified groomers."

Nationally, since the start of the pandemic 3.2 million households welcomed home a pet of some kind and over the course of the last 18 months, dog numbers have risen from nine to 12 million.

It is not just an increase in dog numbers resulting in the surge, with 17 of the 20 most popular dog breeds needing regular grooming or treatments.

With many people considering a complete change of career and outlook following the Covid-19 pandemic, working with animals in a flexible way is an attractive option.

In the UK in 2019, 830 people received certificates in a Level 3 dog grooming qualification, this has risen to 895 in 2020, but more are still needed.

To find out more about the iPET Network go to www.ipetnetwork.co.uk.