TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Consumer Protection Committee on Monday introduced a standardized contract for dog and cat grooming services to improve transparency in the industry.

Under the new regulations, businesses must disclose pricing and may ask about pet behavior, such as aggression, before providing services. Grooming shops can also charge extra fees if pets are left beyond the agreed-upon pickup time, per CNA.

As more pet owners in Taiwan consider their animals part of the family, grooming services like bathing, nail trimming, and fur styling have become increasingly popular. The Ministry of Agriculture will promote and enforce the new rules through inspections.

Last year, the committee received 17 complaints related to pet grooming, mostly over unexpected charges. Other disputes involved pets being left at shops for extended periods, creating challenges for groomers.

To address this, the new contract allows businesses and customers to agree on late fees. Additional care charges are capped at three times the original grooming cost if pets are not picked up by closing time.

The rules also clarify cancellation and refund terms. If a business is at fault, it must issue a refund within three days. In cases of force majeure, such as natural disasters, prepaid fees must be returned even if the contract cannot be fulfilled.

In addition, customers who have prepaid for multiple sessions may cancel the contract. A handling fee may apply, but it cannot exceed 5% of the total contract value or NT$1,000 (US$33).

Violations of the standardized contract can lead to fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$300,000. If these issues are not resolved by the specified deadline, additional penalties of NT$50,000 to NT$500,000 may be imposed.