Kimberly’s Boujie Pet Salon owner Angie Gaskin grooms a yorkie. Gaskin’s services aren’t only for dogs; she also grooms cats and rabbits.
Abigail Youmans | The Democrat
BELMONT — If you’re on your way to Bloomington to get your pet groomed or take them to doggy daycare, you might just stop in Belmont and find what you’re looking for.
A groomer and pet-boarder sits just behind Hickory Shades Motel on State Road 46 West, and welcomes furry friends regardless of species. Angela Gaskin owns Kimberly’s Boujie Pet Salon, which is now open at the Zoo’opolis location. Gaskin’s business partner is Cathleen Billings, who does dog boarding and daycare. Billings is also the owner of Zoo’opolis, which has now transitioned to a bird park.
At Kimberly’s Boujie Pet Salon Gaskin grooms dogs, cats and even rabbits. She started grooming about 20 years ago and brought her business to Brown County when she moved from Indianapolis.
Gaskin provides de-shedding, which is one of her highly-demanded services. She also does full-service grooming, with baths, ear cleanings, mouth and dental cleaning, and anal gland cleaning.
Pets who visit the salon are in what Gaskin called an “isolated environment,” ensuring that there is no mixing of pets from separate households.
She also offers special requests. One particular customer brings their cat in for a grooming and the feline gets a “lion cut,” so it looks as though they have a full mane, furry boots and fluffy-tipped tail.
Big fluffy dogs can also get lion cuts too, Gaskin said.
Kimberly’s Boujie Pet Salon is named after Gaskin’s own daughter, who she said likes to dress up animals and do their hair. She also picks out accessories for customers to wear.
Despite the fact that animals are not in cages, Gaskin said she is in control and works at keeping the animals from being stressed.
Gaskin wants the community to know that she has a love for animals and making sure they get what they need in the grooming experience.
She had worked at places in the past where she did not like how the groomers operated. Some, she said, would say they brushed an animals teeth when they were essentially given mouthwash.
By starting her own business, she is able to offer the care that she believes animals and their owners deserve.
“My passion is animals, and taking care of them,” she said. “I’ve worked with them all my life.”
She has her own fur babies including a timber wolf, a few dogs, a Persian cat and birds.
Following her passion, Gaskin will work with anyone who has rescued an animal and will open on Sundays if there is an emergency rescue situation.
Gaskin had partnered with Zoo’opolis in training of exotic animals before the business transitioned to the bird park.
Billings said that dog boarding there is more like a fostering situation, where dogs or other pets spend most of their time at Billings’ house.
If someone works or is going out of town, pets are able to have socialization or play time all while being supervised.
The cost is $45 for overnights and $25 for daycare.
Billings has been doing it for about a year and it’s picked up as she’s gone on. She cares for several dogs per week.
“It doesn’t matter to me if it’s a dog, cat, guinea pig or a snake, I’m set up to help in whatever capacity someone needs,” Billings said.
