Overview
Scally v. PetSmart is a class action case filed in state court in California alleging that PetSmart is violating California employment and consumer law by requiring its employees to sign a training repayment agreement provision (“TRAP”) requiring prospective groomers to go $5,500 into debt to PetSmart for Grooming Academy Training and grooming tools. This debt is only forgivable if groomers work for PetSmart for two years. The case also alleges that PetSmart falsely advertises its training as “free,” and that it frequently requires its groomers to work off-the-clock.
The case was brought by a PetSmart groomer in California on behalf of all people in California who attended Grooming Academy and have been subject to the TRAP since July 28, 2018, as well as all groomers and bathers who worked off-the-clock and all groomers who have paid for their own grooming tools. The court has not yet decided if the case can proceed as a class action, but if you are a member of the proposed class then you don’t need to take any other action to join the case. If the court certifies the class alleged in the complaint, then you will be part of the class and covered by the lawsuit without having to take further action.
Currently this case affects only PetSmart groomers in California. If you have worked as a groomer in another state, we are also interested in hearing from you. Please submit your contact information using the form below, and we will follow up if there are any developments involving workers in other states.
If you think you have useful evidence about the claims alleged in the complaint or questions about how the case affects you, we encourage you to fill out the below form. The form also allows you to indicate if you want to be connected with organizers or advocates who may be engaging in advocacy, separate from this case, that could result in policy reforms that could change PetSmart’s practices. We will review your information and may be in touch over the next several weeks if we have additional questions.