2026 Fly In Report
Teri DiMarino

Legislative awareness has long been a top priority for the California Professional Pet Groomers Association. The organization grew out of a successful fight against a potentially devastating bill that would have crippled California’s grooming industry without benefiting pets or their owners.

We remain at the forefront, closely monitoring legislative activity in Sacramento and across the country. The CPPGA also sponsors the World Alliance of Grooming Associations (WAGA), an organization that helps each state establish its own professional association, keeps groomers informed about emerging legislation, and promotes continuing education throughout the industry.

One national organization that provides invaluable support is the Pet Advocacy Network (PAN). Formerly known as PIJAC, PAN represents the entire pet industry in Washington, D.C. It monitors federal legislation affecting the industry and works to protect the rights of pet professionals, consumers, and pet owners. PAN has been highly influential in the work of both the CPPGA and WAGA. Each September, PAN organizes “Pet Night on the Hill” and the “Fly-In.” Pet industry representatives from across the country gather in Washington, D.C., where PAN connects them with their senators and representatives to advocate for nonpartisan bills that benefit the industry and pet owners. We typically meet with legislative staff to promote these bills and explain the work of our organizations. The CPPGA was represented by Legislative Chair Tina Grschwener, while Teri DiMarino represented WAGA.

We advocated for three bills. The first would offer incentives for veterinarians to practice in underserved rural areas where veterinary care is scarce. The second would allow veterinary care and pet health insurance expenses to be covered through tax-advantaged Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs). The third would prohibit breed-based restrictions in public housing and reduce pet deposits, helping families keep their beloved pets when moving into public housing.

“Pet Night on the Hill” lived up to its name. Representatives and their staff were invited to an evening of food, drinks, puppies, and kittens. Hosted by the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), the event offered a welcome opportunity to reconnect with people we had met earlier that day.

Overall, the event gave our senators and representatives a valuable opportunity to learn about the CPPGA, WAGA, and our work. We closed each meeting with this message: “If anything involving the grooming industry ever reaches your desk, we want to be your first phone call.”

We look forward to returning to the halls of the Capitol next year.