“If I could return to Australia with even one idea that improved cat welfare, helped groomers build confidence, or raised the standard of care we provide, then every trip would be worthwhile,” states Sherie.

However, what surprised her most wasn’t how different cat grooming was around the world but was how similar it was.

“No matter which country I visited, the best cat groomers always had one thing in common: They genuinely put the cat first,” Sherie says.

“I also realized we all face many of the same challenges,” she adds. “Whether you’re in Australia, America, or Singapore, you’re building trust with owners, educating clients about preventative grooming, and working with cats that don’t always enjoy grooming.”

“The most experienced groomers were often the most willing to share their knowledge,” explains Sherie. “There wasn’t a mindset of protecting secrets. It was about helping the profession grow together.”

That willingness to share may be one of the greatest strengths of the cat grooming profession. Every time a groomer teaches a safer handling technique, demonstrates a different approach or shares a lesson they’ve learned, the profession moves forward.

Of course, there were plenty of differences, too. One of the biggest was simply the size of the industry. In Sherie’s home state of New South Wales, feline-exclusive grooming is still incredibly niche. Then she arrived in Singapore where said there were more than 20 cat-exclusive grooming salons on a single street. And that one observation completely changed her perspective.

“Cat grooming isn’t a niche service there. It’s a recognized specialty with a large client base and strong demand,” explains Sherie.

With that demand comes an opportunity for groomers to become highly specialized. Sherie was also impressed by the incredible attention to detail she saw throughout the salons and competitions.

“Every finish, every line, and every tiny detail mattered,” she shares. “There is a real culture of refining and perfecting even the smallest aspects of a groom.”

Sherie also noticed a culture of continual education. Seminars, competitions and advanced training weren’t occasional events; they were simply part of being a professional groomer. Even highly accomplished groomers were still refining their skills and looking for ways to improve.

Client expectations reflected those cultural differences as well. In parts of Asia, presentation and styling often receive greater emphasis, while Australian clients tend to prioritize practicality, comfort and the cat’s overall wellbeing.

“Neither approach is right or wrong,” Sherie says. “They simply reflect different cultures and expectations. Everyone ultimately wants healthier, happier cats. The journey to that goal might look different, but the passion behind it is universal.”

“There wasn’t one single technique that completely changed everything for me,” Sherie claims. “Instead, it was seeing how much thought experienced groomers put into the smallest details.”

Perhaps the biggest lesson she brought home, though, was realizing there are often multiple correct ways to achieve the same outcome.

“I’ve become less interested in finding the one ‘correct’ way to groom and much more interested in understanding why different methods work in different situations,” explains Sherie.

That shift has encouraged her to question her own routines more often. Instead of doing something simply because it’s how she’s always done it, Sherie now asks whether there’s an even better option for the individual cat she’s grooming, including slowing down.

“Sometimes spending an extra few seconds repositioning a cat or adjusting your approach creates a much calmer and safer groom than trying to rush through it,” she says.

Despite years of experience as a professional groomer and educator, Sherie willingly put herself back into the role of student. After just 10 days of studying Asian Fusion-style cat grooming, she entered a competition in Singapore alongside some of the region’s most accomplished groomers.

“Walking into a competition surrounded by incredibly talented groomers from across Asia was definitely intimidating, but it was also incredibly inspiring,” she shares.

Placing second was an incredible achievement, but Sherie says the biggest reward wasn’t the ribbon. It was the friendships she made, the feedback she received and everything she learned from being surrounded by groomers who were just as passionate as she is.

The experience reinforced something she believes every groomer should remember: If you’re always comfortable, you’re probably not learning. And as an NCGI Certifier, Sherie says international travel has changed the way she approaches education.

She also encourages students to remain curious throughout their careers.

“I don’t want them searching for one perfect way to groom,” Sherie says. “I want them to keep asking questions, learning, and growing throughout their careers.

“Continuing education doesn’t mean admitting you’ve been doing everything wrong,” she continues. “It simply means recognizing that our industry, our tools, and our understanding of feline behavior are always evolving.”

As our profession becomes more connected through online education, conferences, competitions and travel, Sherie hopes groomers continue to learn from one another while preserving the strengths that make each country’s industry unique.

“I don’t think international education will make every groomer work in exactly the same way, and I don’t think it should,” she notes. “The value comes from sharing ideas while still adapting them to the individual cat and the community you’re serving.”

Travel has strengthened her belief that multiple safe and effective approaches can exist, provided the cat’s welfare remains at the center of every decision.

“I’m also more convinced that understanding the reason behind a technique is more important than simply copying it,” explains Sherie. “When you understand the purpose, you can adapt safely. When you only memorize the steps, it becomes much harder to respond when the situation changes.

“Great grooming is not about proving how much you can make a cat tolerate,” she continues. “It’s about achieving the best possible result while preserving trust, comfort, and dignity.”

And no matter where we live or practice, that’s a philosophy every cat groomer can appreciate.