BELMONT — Pet owners may rejoice as a new dog and cat grooming business is coming to town.

Taylor Baugh-McIntire is bringing her expertise in grooming to the Groom Room and Lounge, located at 41977 National Road, Belmont.

Baugh-McIntire is no newcomer to the world of pet grooming. She began her grooming career in 2014 when she went to school at “Dog n Suds” in Medina, Ohio, to learn the trade.

“I was out of high school and didn’t know what path I wanted to go, but knew I always loved animals,” she said. “I thought that it wasn’t a huge thing in the area and could’ve been needed. It sure was back then and still is now.”

She previously owned a dog grooming business called K-2 Kutz that she ultimately decided to close. She said her life ultimately took a different path, so after the closure of her business she became a licensed realtor and will continue to work in real estate in addition to owning and operating the Groom Room and Lounge.

Baugh-McIntire and her husband, Trent McIntire, have spent the last month completely renovating the former Belmont County Animal Rescue League property to meet what Baugh-McIntire envisioned for the aesthetic of the business.

“We were on a trip and saw that this building became available, and knowing that I have the expertise and the knowledge to open one up, we just kind of thought it was a no-brainer,” Baugh-McIntire said. “It’s really needed around the area. A lot of places are booked three four months out, and for the welfare of the animals, they have toenails grown out and mats that need to be cut out.”

In addition to grooming dogs and cats, Baugh-McIntire eventually plans to board animals, which is where she said the lounge aspect of the name comes from. She said she plans on adding overnight boarding for pets but wants to give 100% of her time, energy and focus to the grooming part of the business to provide the best possible experience for her customers.

The Groom Room opens today and will be open three days a week at first, but Baugh-McIntire said that once she starts booking more clients she will offer more days each week.

To start out, she is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday but added that visits are by appointment, so she can work with customers’ schedules.

“We’ll do any size of dogs, and you can do just baths, but everything always includes a bath, nails clipped, ears cleaned and then, obviously, if you want the groom, you can get the groom,” Baugh-McIntire said. “We have add ons. We can do Dremeling, anal glands, whitening treatments, and deshedding.”

To book an appointment with Baugh-McIntire, call 740-325-0838 or email the Groom Room and Lounge at TheGroomRoom@gmail.com.