10 Ways to Find Clients as a Pet Grooming Professional in New Zealand

Pet grooming in New Zealand is a thriving service, but finding consistent clients-especially as a self-employed groomer or small business-can be tough. Luckily, there are plenty of locally tailored, practical ways to connect with pet owners seeking trustworthy grooming care. This guide shares 10 friendly, achievable strategies to help grow your client base and build lasting relationships with Kiwi pet lovers.

Here are some tips that you might find interesting:

1. Create a Google Business Profile

Google Business Profile is the first step to getting found by local pet owners searching for grooming services in Auckland, Christchurch, or anywhere across New Zealand.

Fill your profile with polished photos of your grooming work, list your services, and add contact details. Encourage clients to leave reviews-they’re gold in tight Kiwi communities where people trust peer feedback.

Think of it as your digital storefront open 24/7-free and super effective.

2. Use Yada for Local Client Connections

Yada is an emerging New Zealand platform welcoming pet groomers without any lead or success fees, helping you keep more of what you earn.

You can respond to job requests for free depending on your rating and communicate privately with clients through an internal chat. The interface is mobile-friendly, making it easy to manage bookings on the go.

Joining Yada early gives you a competitive edge as client demand grows on the platform.

3. Get Listed on Pet Grooming Directories

Local directories like Pawshake NZ and Trade Me Services attract many pet owners looking for grooming professionals they can trust.

Make sure your profiles are detailed with photos, service descriptions, and up-to-date availability. Respond promptly to enquiries to build strong client trust.

A keen groomer in Wellington credits directory profiles for a big chunk of their new clients over the past year.

4. Build Community Connections Through Social Media

Facebook groups like “Auckland Pet Owners” or “Christchurch Dog Lovers” are great places to build rapport with locals.

Skip the hard sell-share useful grooming tips, shout out client pets, and post transformations showing your work. Authenticity and friendliness go a long way.

Weirdly enough, these genuine interactions often convert into bookings when pet owners decide it's time for grooming.

5. Offer First-Time Client Discounts

New clients often hesitate due to unknowns like pricing or the experience quality. Offering a small discount or package deal for first-timers can tip the balance in your favour.

Advertise this on your website, social media, and through platforms like Yada to get those first bookings and start building long-term relationships.

Many NZ groomers find this effective, particularly in competitive urban markets like Auckland and Wellington.

6. Showcase Client Testimonials and Before/After Photos

Pet owners want to see proof of quality and care. Collect short testimonials and share before/after photos with permission.

Display these on your website, social media platforms, or listings like Pawshake. Real examples of happy pets go a long way to reassure new clients.

One Auckland groomer reports clients coming from as far as the North Shore after seeing her styling transformations on Instagram.

7. Partner with Local Pet Businesses

Form partnerships with local vets, pet shops like Animates, and doggy daycare centres to gain referrals and cross-promote services.

Drop off brochures or cards, offer grooming demos, or sponsor pet events to build awareness of your grooming services.

This strategy builds a supportive network around your business and provides steady referral leads.

8. Run Seasonal Promotions and Specials

Offering offers aligned with seasons or holidays, such as spring coat blowouts or Christmas grooming specials, attracts clients looking for timely care.

Advertise these through social media, local newsletters, and platforms like Yada to create urgency and boost bookings.

Everybody loves a good deal or treat for their pets, especially around popular times of the year.

9. Host Open Days or Grooming Demonstrations

Invite locals to visit your grooming space for an open day or demo session where they can see the process, ask questions, and meet you.

Holding these events in community centres or pet-friendly cafes allows Kiwis to engage face-to-face and get comfortable with your care style.

This hands-on approach is especially effective in smaller towns like Nelson or Tauranga, where trust is paramount.

10. Use Flyers on Community Boards

Old-school flyers remain useful in New Zealand, especially on community noticeboards in New World supermarkets, libraries, and vet clinics.

Keep them simple and eye-catching with key info-services, location, contact details, and any special offers.

Often, people snap a pic of a flyer when they don’t have time to write down your details, so make sure it’s easy to remember.