How Grooming Helped Save Daniela

In May, a small stray dog was roaming the streets near the ASPCA Adoption Center in New York City. A Good Samaritan found the 4-year-old dog, later named Daniela, and brought her to the Adoption Center to get the help she needed.

Daniela was covered in severely matted fur, which can lead to severe discomfort and pain if not taken care of. Her nails were also very long, which can cause discomfort and lead to arthritis. Upon intake at the Adoption Center, she was quickly sent to the ASPCA Animal Hospital for emergency grooming, which was handled by our expert medical staff to ensure that any open wounds or potential limb strangulation was treated carefully. Underneath the matting, various wounds caused by moist dermatitis were found, which would also need treatment.

The Critical Importance of Regular Grooming

A 2022 grooming practices study using data from five ASPCA programs in New York City showed that over 13% of the ASPCA-NYPD Partnership’s cruelty cases involved general hair matting concerns and/or strangulating hair mat wounds. Researchers also discovered that about 4% of ASPCA Community Medicine appointments and more than 6% of ASPCA Animal Hospital appointments involved grooming-related concerns or services.

Dogs who don’t receive adequate, regular grooming can eventually experience severe health problems including skin infections, strangulating hair mats (which can lead to limb amputation) and restricted and painful movement (caused by dense hair mats and overgrown claws).

Another 2022 grooming study showed that among pet owners who received grooming services from ASPCA programs, the most frequently reported barrier to grooming was not having enough money to pay for services (56%). From the same group, 45% expressed fear of hurting their pet by doing the grooming themselves and 29% said they did not have enough money to buy their own grooming supplies.

In New York City, access to grooming services can be as limited as access to veterinary care, so the ASPCA Community Engagement team is working to make an impact by offering a one-time grooming program to qualifying residents. This initiative addresses immediate grooming needs while educating pet parents on important grooming practices, helping them to develop a long-term care plan for their pets.

Pet care services in underserved communities are often unaffordable or geographically inaccessible, which can result in pets being rehomed or surrendered to a shelter. Better access to even basic grooming and veterinary care keeps pets and people together.

A Fresh Look and a Fresh Start

After Daniela received treatment, Admissions & Placement Specialist Gabriela Huayhuaca met her at the Adoption Center. Gabriela thought she was unique because of how sweet she was with everyone.

“Everyone is Dani's friend, and she is super outgoing,” Gabriela says.

Two weeks later, Daniela was cleared for adoption, and Gabriela knew she was the dog for her! They soon headed home together to start a new chapter.

These days, Daniela gets monthly grooming from a local groomer. Gabriela knows that it’s important for her to be groomed regularly so that she never gets to that state again. Her open wounds and dermatitis took over a month to resolve after her initial grooming, so she doesn’t want that to happen again. Staying on top of Daniela’s grooming also cuts down on future vet costs, as well.

“She also looks much cuter after a fresh haircut,” says Gabriela. “She is so much happier now that she can see and smell the world more comfortably.”