OVERVIEW
The Client Intake Form Template establishes a consistent baseline record for a client and pet before grooming services begin. It collects essential contact, emergency, veterinary, health, behavior, handling, grooming history, and preference information. This helps staff identify relevant risks, contact the appropriate people, understand the service request, and determine whether another release or related procedure may be required.
The form is intended for new clients or pets, transfers to another business location, major changes in health, behavior, ownership, or contact information, and replacement of outdated forms. Returning clients do not need to repeatedly complete the entire form when only changes need to be reviewed.
The accompanying staff procedure explains how to review the form, clarify incomplete information, transfer essential alerts into scheduling and client-management systems, determine whether related SOPs apply, and ask about changes at future appointments.
WHAT YOU'LL LEARN:
- What baseline client and pet information should be collected before services begin.
- How to document emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
- How to record veterinarian and clinic information.
- How to document relevant health conditions, medications, allergies, injuries, surgeries, and limitations.
- How to identify bite, aggression, fear, muzzle, and handling history.
- How to record grooming history, preferences, and known sensitivities.
- When a returning client should review changes instead of completing the entire form again.
- How staff should review and clarify incomplete information.
- How essential alerts should be transferred into scheduling and client-management systems.
- When to determine whether related SOPs or a consultation procedure apply.
BUSINESS BENEFITS
A consistent intake record helps staff begin services with reliable baseline information about the client and pet. It supports communication by documenting contact preferences, emergency information, authorized pickup persons, health concerns, behavior history, and grooming preferences. Reviewing the information before accepting the pet can help staff identify missing details and determine whether additional documentation is needed. Transferring essential alerts into scheduling and client-management systems also helps keep important information available to staff. Reviewing changes at future appointments helps maintain current records without requiring returning clients to repeatedly complete the entire intake form.
RECOMMENDED FOR
- Salon Owners
- Managers
- Groomers
- Bathers
- Reception Staff
- Client-Service Staff
- Businesses Accepting New Grooming Clients
- Businesses Transferring Clients Between Locations
IMPLEMENTATION NOTES
Implement the form before services begin for new clients or new pets and when significant health, behavior, ownership, or contact information changes. Staff should review the completed form before accepting the pet and clarify incomplete medical, behavior, or emergency information. Essential alerts should be transferred into the scheduling and client-management systems. Determine whether related SOPs 12.02–12.06 or the Dog Check-In & Consultation SOP apply. At future appointments, ask clients about relevant changes rather than requiring the entire intake form to be completed again. Store and apply the completed information consistently.
