How to wash and reveal a ScruffaLuvs pet

Bath day is the moment a Scruff has been waiting for. Here is how we do it, with a few things that make the reveal go smoothly.

Set up the bath

Use a bowl or a sink of warm water, not hot. Add a small squeeze of mild soap or dish soap and keep a towel within reach. The scruffy coating can be a little messy as it rinses out, so an apron or an old t-shirt is a good idea.

Wash until the scruff is gone

Push the ball of fur under the water and rub it between your hands. The matted fur loosens bit by bit, and you will start to feel ears, legs and a tail.

Change the water if it gets cloudy and keep rinsing until it runs clear and the fur no longer feels stiff or sticky. Some rescues need a second wash, and that is normal.

Dry it all the way through

Squeeze, do not twist, the water out in a towel. Then dry the fur with a hair dryer on a low setting with a grown-up helping, or leave the pet in an airy spot.

Thick plush holds water inside, so give it plenty of time. A pet that is dry right through is fluffier and ready for cuddles.

Brush, dress and name

Comb the coat in small sections while it finishes drying. Add the collar, and the clip or bottle if your pack has one, then fill in the adoption certificate. Your Scruff is officially rescued.