Community Corner

Grooming Biz Warminster Woman's Dream

Fran Cotellese opened Fur Street Pet Salon at the former Paws For All in Warminster Township.

Fran Cotellese went to college for communications, but found her career passion by accident. 

"I couldn't really sit by in one spot," Cotellese, of Warminster, said. "I grew up with animals, a lot of dogs."

So, when she saw a temporary job opening at the Warminster location of a national pet store chain for a dog bather, it made sense for the dog-lover. 

The job suited her and Cotellese worked to make her temporary profession permanent. Following three months of training at an academy and grooming of 100 dogs in various categories, she received approval to be a full-fledged groomer. 

Fast forward eight years and Cotellese has set out on her own with the recent opening of Fur Street Pet Salon, which is located at 223-B York Road, two streets away from her home. 

As owner and groomer, Cotellese said her business, which she runs with help from husband Joe, aims to fill a need in the community. Other groomers, her customers have shared with her, have a six-week waiting list for grooming appointments. 

"It's every groomer's dream to open their own place," she said while bathing a golden retriever named Sam. "There's a really big demand in this area."

On her first day in business at the space formerly occupied by Paws For All, Cotellese had six doggy grooming appointments. At least to start, particularly with the holidays right around the corner, Cotellese said she'll be "pretty open," but in general will work based on appointments. 

On average, Cotellese said it takes between three to four hours to bathe, blow dry, brush, trim fur, clips nails and clean the ears of her four-legged friends. 

Cotellese recommends that long-haired dogs such as golden retrievers be groomed every six weeks to help maintain their coats and prevent fur matting. 

Short-haired dogs like boxers and labradors she suggests have a regular grooming every eight to 10 weeks in an effort to minimize shedding. 

Her goal is to groom four or five dogs a day and, eventually, to hire staff. 

Much like a hairstylist has to be skilled in the art of cutting the hair of wiggly kids, Cotellese said she learned early on "how to cut moving objects."

"That's the hardest part," she said. "You kind of have to go with their movements."

Yet, it's a challenge that Cotellese said is rewarding. 

"It's just fun," she said. "Every day is different. Some of these dogs grew up with me."

To learn more
Fur Street Pet Salon is located at 223-B York Road in Warminster. To make an appointment, or for more information, call 215-323-4153, or email FurStreetPetSalon@gmail.com. 


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