This small business is hopping into the spotlight with her rabbit grooming business. Located in Hanover, Pennsylvania, Tails on the Rails provides gentle, one-on-one specialized grooming services tailored to the unique needs of bunnies, bull dogs and guinea pigs! From nail trims to fur maintenance, this cozy grooming shop ensures that every rabbit leaves looking and feeling their best, all while offering a stress-free experience for both pets and their owners.
March’s Featured Business
Tails on the Rails LLC
1. What is your business?
Tails on the Rails LLC is a private, appointment-based, one-on-one grooming shop, located just outside of Hanover, Pennsylvania, and specializing in understanding and educating clients on the unique grooming care and maintenance needs of rabbits, guinea pigs, and bulldogs. We proudly advocate for fear- and force-free and cooperative care practices for all pets entrusted into our care.
2. Tell me about yourself, your buns.
Well, my name is Jen, and I’m the owner/groomer here at Tails on the Rails LLC. Initially beginning my career working in veterinary medicine, I made the switch to grooming in 2021. When I’m not working, I can almost certainly be found in the company of my beloved French Bulldog, Linus, and my adorable one-earred American Sable rabbit, Vincent Bun Gogh.
I adopted Vincent (formerly “Dime”) from a shelter in Maryland after coming across his photo online. I knew the moment that I held him and he began tooth purring that he’d be coming home. Vincent had one of his ears surgically removed shortly after arriving at the shelter due to previous trauma. He manages just fine without it, and it was this unique trait and my love of art that earned him his name! He even has his own Van Gogh inspired room!
3. What inspired you to start your business?
Originally, inspiration for starting Tails on the Rails came in the form of my special needs bulldog, Linus. He has a neurological condition, which causes him to have unpredictable seizures presenting as violent fits of aggression. (You can read his story here at www.tailsontherails.com/our-story). While he is currently on medication to help regulate his symptoms, his condition helped open my eyes to the fact that one size certainly does not fit all. Linus’ routines and exams do not look like other dogs’.
In traditional vet med and grooming environments, animals tend to be approached with a “just get it done” mentality, using the same tired techniques. Linus helped me see that those techniques just cannot work for every pet. Invoking fear and force when we should be listening to each individual animal’s unique needs not only creates a happier experience, but a safer experience for all involved. Sure, it can take a little longer, but the subsequent trust and learning that comes from that extra time will almost always result in better experiences in the future.
I wanted a shop that focused on teaching cooperative care, promoting trust and understanding between groomer and pet. It’s incredibly important to me that a pet feels safe and secure when they’re in my care! Being a bulldog person, I also wanted to focus on the curious lack of proper safety precautions and oft-overlooked hygienic care of these high-risk, squish faced breeds.
As for the rabbit/small animal side of things, that actually all started with a guinea pig! I had rescued an ornery little Silkie guinea pig whom I named Eric Matthews (after the Boy Meets World character!). Eric had this beautiful long hair that he would flounce around like he was in an Herbal Essences commercial, but he was also the messiest piggie I’d yet met. I needed to find a way to groom him, but there really wasn’t much info out there.
I later found out that there was a class being offered on this very subject at a grooming exposition I was attending, so after the class I approached the teacher about what products would be best for my Eric. She took me under her wing, and I soon discovered a passion for small animal grooming. This led to my journey to becoming a Certified Rabbit Groomer, and I am currently working towards my Master title. I actually met and adopted my rabbit, Vinnie during this process, and he ended up being the model for my Level 2 testing, which I’m proud to say we achieved 100% on (first groomer/rabbit pair to do so!). Not bad for his first groom!
4. How is your business unique?
I’d say what makes Tails on the Rails unique is the uncommon niche of rabbits, guinea pigs, and bulldogs! Most grooming shops don’t take rabbits for liability reasons, and most groomers are dog specific anyway. Having a formal education in rabbit grooming and being a Certified Rabbit Groomer is incredibly rare…. believe it or not, as of the time of this writing, there are only five groomers with this certification in the entire world!
5. How long have you been doing this?
I started grooming in 2021, and opened Tails on the Rails in 2023.
6. What does a typical work day look like?
Honestly, I’m not sure there is a “typical” work day! Tails on the Rails is still very new, and owning a business is very different than working for someone else, so there’s definitely a learning curve and constant development going on! Some days are spent with dogs, others with rabbits and guinea pigs. Some are spent working “behind-the-scenes” on marketing, website updates, emails, etc. Some are spent drawing pet portraits (I sell prints of my work at rabbit events and am looking to start offering custom pet portraits on my site!).
7. What is your biggest challenge?
I’d say my biggest challenge at the moment is just getting the word out. Small fish, big pond, you know? But I truly believe in what I’m doing. Professional rabbit services of any kind are incredibly limited and there are so many bunny parents out there who need them.
8. What is your most popular service?
For rabbits? That would be my haircut package! Most of the bunnies who come to see me are wooly-haired mixes and highly benefit from routine maintenance. I first give them a once over to check for any potential concerns, then do a full brushout to remove undercoat, trim their fur to a manageable length, clip and file their nails, clean out their scent glands, and do a sanitary trim. No baths, as bunnies should never be bathed. The rabbits are soothed and given access to hay throughout the entire groom to promote a calm, stress-free experience.
9. What advice would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
If you stop learning, you’ll stop growing. Never stop learning!
10. How can people sign up for your services?
To learn more about what I do or inquire about a custom pet portrait or grooming appointment for your pet, please visit my website at www.tailsontherails.com. You can also reach me via email at tailsontherailsllc@gmail.com and visit my page on Instagram!
Final Thoughts…
As more rabbit owners recognize the importance of proper grooming, Tails on the Rails LLC continues to grow, providing a much-needed service with care, expertise, and a passion for these beloved pets. With a focus on gentle handling and a deep understanding of rabbit well-being, this small business is making a big difference—one fluffy client at a time. Whether you’re a first-time bunny parent or a longtime rabbit lover, you can trust that your furry friend is in the best hands.
TDR has many featured businesses from artists and crafters, rabbit sitters, bonders to culinary entrepreneurs and now rabbit grooming. I urge you to learn more about these small businesses and help support them.
