Photos by Shannon Baker
love a challenge, and cats will challenge you every time,” says Whitney Bullock, CFMG and owner of The Charleston Cat Groomer. “Every day and every cat is different.”
Whitney began her feline-filled career as a receptionist at a cat-exclusive veterinary clinic where she advanced to become a vet tech and also learned how to groom cats.
“That was before cat grooming was really very popular at all,” she says. “We are in a big area for purebred cats. I realized that there was a huge need for cat groomers and the services they provide. So I became a Certified Master Cat Groomer, opened a mobile cat business, and then opened my salon, The Charleston Cat Groomer.
“Even though I had lots of experience and was confident in my grooming skills, I felt that I needed to become certified,” Whitney continues. “I wanted my clients to know that I cared about what I was doing enough to get certified. It really gives people peace of mind if you’ve gotten some intensive training to do what you do best.”
“We sell our cat hair to the allergy testing facility, so we were considered a medically necessary business,” shares Whitney. “During COVID, I and my two assistants were busier than we have ever been. Because almost everyone was at home 24/7, looking at their dirty, shedding cats, business was booming at The Charleston Cat Groomer. We had parking lot drop-off during the pandemic. I would meet the owner at their car, then bring the cat inside. It worked fine.”
As someone who requires their work keep them interested and involved, Whitney looks forward to each day, because with cat grooming there’s never a dull moment.
“The thing I like least is when we can’t do a cat,” she says. “It’s disappointing to us and to the owner. It’s always frustrating when you can’t complete a groom, but you have to do what’s best for the animal. We do have a mobile vet that comes to sedate at the salon. We are lucky to have that option.”
Whitney also offers another unique service, which is listed on her website, www.charlestoncatgroomer.com, called “Groomer From Afar.” This is a virtual service through which she offers consultations for people who don’t have cat groomers in their area.
“I think my most exciting call was a lady from Ireland,” she continues. “There were no cat groomers within about 200 miles from her, but through Groomer From Afar, her cat got the care that it needed.
“It’s so satisfying,” Whitney adds. “After the consultation, I get lots of good feedback and reviews. Many send pictures and short videos and they say things like, ‘Oh my gosh, I can’t believe I did it. Thanks so much!’”
“Lots of people don’t realize that cats need regular grooming,” explains Whitney. “They have no idea how much maintenance these cats take. Just since I began cat grooming, there has been a huge difference in how much bigger and thicker the coats have become. The breeders know that people want these giant, luxurious coats, so there is a huge change in maintaining them.”
To further help cat owners, Whitney has an Amazon storefront called The Pineapple Cat Shop and a Shopify ecommerce site, www.pineapplecatshop.com, to sell cat grooming tools and equipment. The brand is actually a little tieback to Charleston, because in Charleston, pineapples are very popular and they are a symbol of southern hospitality.
She also has a new product she created for groomers and hair stylists called Strapped Aprons. It’s a clear apron with detachable, interchangeable straps that protects your clothing but doesn’t cover up your “style.”
Whitney gets a lot of business through her website, but she says that her Instagram page, @whitneybullockcfmg, has really helped her brand and her business. She posts every single day and has over 100,000 followers on Instagram, and she is one of the few that answers every message she gets. Whitney also makes educational tutorials and fun videos, and even has a cat, King Monty, who has become an Instagram sensation. One of his viral videos has had over 12 million views.
As busy as she is, this energetic go-getter still finds time for her family and fun. A self-proclaimed beach bum, Whitney says that they live close to the beach and can be found there most every weekend. And, loving all things Disney, they visit the park several times a year. Whitney and her husband were even married at Disney World.
Being able to balance her professional and personal life keeps Whitney Bullock looking forward to each new day. And The Charleston Cat Groomer and the Pineapple Cat Shop ensure that all of the feline families they serve are provided the best care and service possible.