So Fetch uses Japanese-style grooming to give dogs wild makeovers
Making fetch happen might not have passed by Regina George, the fictional character from the movie “Mean Girls,” but northwest Las Vegas resident Charity Rael made it happen.
She opened So Fetch Grooming Salon, 7565 Norman Rockwell Lane, Suite 120, in October 2014.
The dog grooming salon specializes in advanced care grooming with a colorful twist.
“I attract the kind of clients that love taking their pets everywhere,” Rael said. “I use colors that are really vivid and bright. It’s important to me to see pet clients go out looking like show dogs.”
Rael, 30, started on her 10-year career as a dog groomer at PetSmart.
“I initially applied as a small animals manager, but the guy said I should be a groomer because it could become a career,” Rael said. “I’ve never owned a dog in my life, but I fell in love with it. There’s just so much to learn about dogs and grooming. “
After working there for four years, Rael left PetSmart to purse creative grooming.
“I was looking through an industry magazine called Groomer to Groomer, and I saw a standard poodle that was turned into a peacock. It was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen. I didn’t want to turn my clients into peacocks, but I wanted to create beautiful looks for them, like runway wear.”
Rael, who specializes in Japense-style grooming, uses semi-permanent, pet-safe color to create looks in the form of zebras, skunks, tigers and the fictional cartoon character Pikachu.
She can also add holiday lights, mermaid hair, scarves, colorful leopard prints and bright tails.
“If you can dream it, I can do it,” Rael said, adding that the color typically lasts eight to 12 weeks.
She doesn’t bleach the dog’s hair but offers those with dark hair colorful hair or feather clip-ins.
In addition, Rael does body bling gems, which she applies with pet-safe latex adhesive; manicures; warm coconut oil body treatments; raw sugar scrubs; and teeth brushing. She also offers traditional standard breed grooming.
The business has become a family affair with her mother and father working the phones, bathing and drying dogs. She said she makes it a priority to attend a local dog show every year to stay up-to-date with the styles.
She received several certifications from the International Society of Canine Cosmetologists, a for-profit, service-oriented organization designed for the continuing education and advancement of professional pet stylists. Rael continues to take seminars every year at SuperZoo, the national show for pet retailers. She also participates in worldwide grooming competitions, which she said have helped her perfect her unique craft.
“My fur baby is my baby,” said customer Rebecca Wood, the owner of a 3½-year-old Maltese named Princess Pixie Hollywood. “When I get her done with Charity, it’s like walking around with a little movie star. Everywhere I go, people ask me to stop and get a photo of my dog.”
Clients who mention this article are set to receive $5 off their service, Rael said.
“I want my salon to be known throughout the entire city as the hottest pet salon and be considered the place to take your pet,” Rael said.
So Fetch Grooming Salon is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday by appointment only.
Call 702-445-6888 or visit sofetchsalonlv.com.
— To reach North View reporter Sandy Lopez, email slopez@viewnews.com or call 702-383-4686. Find her on Twitter: @JournalismSandy.