Suds and Scissors LLC

DO NOT bring your pet to Suds & Scissors! I have been taking my long-haired cat here for about 5 years. They never asked for his rabies vaccination info, and (not knowing until now that it's required by law in CT for felines) I have not had him vaccinated since 2004, given that he has, is, and always will be an indoors-only cat. There is also heavy scientific documentation that vaccinations can be very harmful to the animal, and it was never required by my vet, so I considered it moot. An hour after I dropped him at the groomer this past Saturday, I got a call from the owner asking for his rabies vaccination info. When I informed him he was not current and the reasons why, he then told me that he had bitten one of the attendants there. I gave him the info from the vet who had vaccinated him last, and when I called him back to find out what was going on (did I have to come get him immediately? were they still grooming him?) he told me it wasn't a "big deal" since cats often bite, and that the girl would just have to have a rabies series. He also told me that rabies can be carried into your home on the soles of your shoes. This immediately sounded pretty dubious to me, but given the situation and my embarrassment and concern for the girl he bit, I let it go. He told me he'd be ready in about 30 minutes (with this I learned that there's really no reason for them to keep him there for the 5 HOURS it had always taken). Since I felt really bad about it, I tipped the girl well over half the $60 fee. They asked for my current address 'for their files' and sent me on my way. They did a very substandard job on him this time, and I regretted the large tip in hindsight, but given the circumstances, I could kind of understand why, so I didn't push it. When we got him home, we realized they hadn't given back the toy that I left with him when we got there, asking that it be kept in the cage with him for his comfort. I then also remembered that when I got him out of the cage (they wouldn't bring him out to me), the toy wasn't in there with him. Also, on his "report card" the girl had crossed out the $5 for dematting, and written in "$a lot". Very mature, and very professional. Today, three days later, I get a voice mail from Vernon Animal Control, stating that my cat would have to be quarantined for THREE MONTHS at an "approved facility," or worse. At no point was I informed at Suds and Scissors that a) rabies is required by law or b) they would be contacting Animal Control (also as required by law). Again, they never even requested his rabies vaccination information, and I've been bringing him there for YEARS. Now it makes sense why they wanted my current address.... Will someone show up and forcibly take my healthy, sweet, yet easily-frightened cat from me tomorrow? Of course, if you're up-to-date on your pet's rabies vaccinations, you don't have to worry about going through exactly what I went through, but how safe do you feel, knowing that there most likely will be un-vaccinated, outdoor animals in the back room with your companion? Knowing what I do now, I realize I have no legal leg to stand on, but given the treatment we received there, and the risks I now know to be involved, I feel that I should let people know what kind of people they'll be trusting their loved ones to. Don't risk it. Don't bring your pet to Suds and Scissors!