BIGA's Mission and Core Values

'Mission Statement'

BIGA is an independent, not-for-profit trade association led by groomers, for groomers.
Our mission is to:

Support and empower our members, helping them grow and thrive.
Raise professional standards across the British dog grooming industry.
Promote the benefits of responsible grooming to pet owners and the wider pet care community.

By uniting the industry, BIGA works to enhance animal welfare, professionalism, and public trust in dog grooming.

'Core Values'

At BIGA, our members are at the heart of everything we do.

We believe in:

Community – We lift each other up with constructive support and shared knowledge.
Independence – We respect that every grooming business has its own character and personal touch.
Integrity – We conduct ourselves with fairness, honesty, and professionalism.
Education – We promote learning, qualifications, and sharing best practice to raise standards for pets and pet owners.
Inclusion – We welcome all groomers, from students to seasoned professionals, regardless of background or experience.

Membership in BIGA is a commitment to these values and to upholding our Code of Conduct.

'Code of Conduct'

Our Code of Conduct is the foundation of our professional community:

Animal Care & Welfare – Pet safety, health, and well-being always come first.
Support – Members support each other and the reputation of BIGA, avoiding actions that undermine fellow members.
Equality & Inclusion – We treat everyone with respect, free from discrimination of any kind.
Advice & Communication – We share knowledge and communicate openly with members and pet owners to encourage informed, responsible care.
Fairness & Professionalism – We treat clients, pets, and fellow members with courtesy, honesty, and respect.
Education & Inspiration – We champion ongoing learning, skills sharing, and professional growth, inspiring others to raise industry standards.

BIGA exists to support the people behind the scissors and the pets in their care. Together, we raise awareness, improve standards, and inspire trust in the grooming industry.

Professional Conduct & Member Responsibilities

Support - members agree to support each other. This means that members agree they will not actively solicit the clientele of other association members or engage in activities that bring BIGA into disrepute. Instead, members are encouraged to share their knowledge and experience for the benefit of other members and, ultimately, for pet owners and their pets.

Equality - BIGA members will not discrimate against other association members or members of the public on any basis, including but not limited to age, race, gender, sexual orientation, physical needs or appearance, training and experience or levels of qualification.

Inclusion - BIGA welcomes all members regardless of background, experience, qualified or unqualified, starting-out or recently retired or even if you're an active member within other similar associations. BIGA is a positive enterprise that encourages and welcomes constructive participation from all its members.

Advice - BIGA is a platform for the constructive interaction and sharing of advice among its members and to the general pet owner. This isn't just about benefitting us all in our careers and businesses, it's ultimately about raising awareness and standards that will benefit pet owners and their pets.

Communication - BIGA members are encouraged to communicate between each other but also to the general pet owning public. The outcome of this is better informed pet care professionals and pet owners. This is a good thing for our pets.

Fairness - BIGA members will treat other association members as well as their customers and general pet owners as they themselves would like to be treated: with fairness and professional courtesy at all times.

Education - BIGA promotes education, training, ongoing learning and professional qualification. We also recognise that the School of Life and Experience are valuable assets among pet groomers and related pet care professionals. Ultimately, Education is about promoting and sharing best practice, our skills and talents with each other and general pet owners to ensure the highest standards in pet care and customer service.

Professionalism - BIGA members agree to treat fellow members, their customers, general pet owners and pets in particular, with professional courtesy at all times.

Inspire - BIGA is modern and exciting. It's a grassroots movement. Our members are driven by a passion to do their very best for the animals in their care and the customers they serve. Our behaviours will inspire those around us to share this passion and likewise engage in raising awareness and standards in pet grooming and pet care in general. This is Why BIGA exists. To do the very best we can for the sake of the health, welfare and happiness of all our pets.

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