READY, SET…GROOM!

ANIMAL PLANET PREMIERES THE TOP DOG OF REALITY SHOWS

WITH ITS NEWEST SERIES, GROOMER HAS IT, HOSTED BY JAI RODRIGUEZ

-- Elimination Series Premieres Saturday, April 12, at 9 PM (ET/PT) --

SILVER SPRING, MD. – Animal Planet enters the world of doggie style with the premiere of its new competition series, GROOMER HAS IT. Hosted by Emmy award-winning actor and singer Jai Rodriguez (“Queer Eye for the Straight Guy”), GROOMER HAS IT sniffs out 12 of America’s most devout dog groomers to compete against each other in a test of desire, creativity and affinity for animals as they shave, shear and shampoo their way through a series of challenges that will crown only one as “Groomer of the Year.”  The contestants will be put through their paces to see who can turn the shaggiest pooch into a beautiful, prancing pup beginning Saturday, April 12, at 9 PM (ET/PT).

These self-proclaimed best groomers will live together in a swanky Los Angeles loft the “Dog House;” work elbow-to-elbow in one salon; and face grooming challenges that range from styling pups for their runway debut to grooming some of the most exotic dog breeds to making adoptable pups look their fetchingly best for new homes. After each challenge, Jai and our outspoken panel of judges, including esteemed veterinarian Dr. Karen Halligan, champion dog handler Xavier Santiago and leading U.S. grooming expert Joey Villani will decide which contestant does not make the cut. The grand prize winner will receive a cash prize of $50,000, a mobile grooming salon from Wag'n Tails Mobile Grooming and the title of “Groomer of the Year” – three prizes totaling $125,000 that could jump-start the groomers’ careers and change their lives.  Each of these groomers thinks he/she has what it takes to be top dog in this competition, but in reality, only one… GROOMER HAS IT.