Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions, answered.
What is Tender Tails?
Tender Tails is a community-supported grooming assistance program founded by Wags Bakery & Grooming. Our mission is to help dogs receive essential grooming care when their families are experiencing financial hardship or other challenging circumstances.
Who can apply for assistance?
Any dog owner experiencing financial hardship or special circumstances may apply.
Applications are reviewed individually and assistance is awarded based on available funding, need, and program resources.
Is assistance guaranteed if I apply?
No.
Submitting an application does not guarantee assistance. Because funding is limited, applications are reviewed and prioritized based on need and available resources.
Applications are reviewed individually and assistance is awarded based on available funding, need, and program resources.
How are applications reviewed?
Our team reviews each application based on:
- The dog’s grooming needs
- Financial hardship circumstances
- Urgency of the situation
- Available funding
- Program capacity
Priority may be given to dogs experiencing severe matting, health concerns, mobility issues, or emergency family circumstances.
How much assistance can I receive?
Assistance may cover all or a portion of grooming services depending on available funding and individual circumstances.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes.
However, approval for future assistance is not guaranteed and will depend on program funding and demand.
How quickly will I hear back?
Most applications are reviewed within 5–10 business days.
Emergency requests may be reviewed sooner when possible.
Do I need to provide proof of income?
Generally, no.
We strive to keep the application process simple, respectful, and accessible. However, Tender Tails reserves the right to request additional information if needed during the review process.
What if my dog has severe matting or medical concerns?
Please indicate this on your application.
Dogs experiencing pain, severe matting, skin issues, or other urgent concerns may receive priority consideration.
How is Tender Tails funded?
Tender Tails is funded through:
- Community donations
- Business sponsorships
- Fundraising initiatives
- Contributions from Wags Bakery & Grooming
In addition, Wags Bakery & Grooming contributes 1% of all credit card sales to help support the program.
Are donations tax deductible?
At this time, Tender Tails operates as a community assistance program and is not currently a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Donations are greatly appreciated but are not tax deductible unless otherwise stated.
We do plan to eventually operate as non-profit and will announce when this occurs.
Can I sponsor a specific dog?
Because applications are reviewed based on need and privacy considerations, donations are generally applied to the overall Tender Tails Community Groom Fund rather than a specific applicant.
However, you can NOMINATE a dog here.
Why was Tender Tails created?
ender Tails was created by Wags Bakery & Grooming after seeing firsthand how financial hardship can impact a pet’s ability to receive essential grooming care.
We believe every dog deserves comfort, dignity, and compassionate care—regardless of their family’s circumstances.
Because every tail deserves to wag.