About Us
Designs Fur Canines is more than a grooming salon. It’s been a staple in Verona, NJ for more than 30 years.
More than 21 years ago, the owner Michelle, started her grooming career right here in this very salon, then known as Canine Designs, under its longtime owner, Bonnie Galantino. Bonnie taught Michelle the art of grooming and helped shape the groomer she is today. Michelle spent eight years working alongside her before eventually moving on to open her first salon, 53 & Mane Pet Spa.
But somehow, this little shop in Verona always remained part of Michelle's story. Her name is still written in the sidewalk out front, and in 2012, my husband proposed to me right here at the salon.
After Bonnie passed away in 2025, Michelle had the opportunity to return to where it all began and continue the legacy of a grooming salon that has served the Verona community for more than 30 years. Renaming it Designs Fur Canines felt like the perfect way to honor its history while beginning a new chapter of her own...
Meet The Owner- Michelle
Hi, I’m Michelle Richardson, owner and groomer at Designs Fur Canines.
Grooming has been a part of my life for more than 21 years, and even after all this time, I still truly love what I do. To me, grooming has never been just about giving a dog a haircut. It’s an art, a craft, and most importantly, a relationship built on trust between the groomer, the dog and their family.
I was fortunate enough to learn the old school way of grooming, where attention to detail, proper technique and beautiful hand scissoring mattered. Over the years, I’ve worked with dogs of all breeds, sizes, ages and personalities, and one thing I’ve learned is that no two dogs are the same. I adjust my approach to the individual dog in front of me, whether that means taking a little extra time with a nervous puppy, being gentle and patient with a senior, or perfecting a breed specific cut.
Hand scissoring is my specialty, and it’s one of the things I love most about grooming. There’s something incredibly rewarding about taking the time to shape and finish a groom by hand and seeing the transformation when it’s complete.
Our Services
Full Service Dog Grooming
Our full service grooming may include bathing and conditioning, blow drying, nail trimming, ear cleaning, sanitary trimming, haircut and professional styling. We specialize in breed specific grooming and hand scissoring, combining traditional grooming techniques with personalized styling for each dog.
Full Service Cat Grooming
We also provide professional grooming for cats, including bathing, coat care, de shedding, nail trimming and haircut services based on each cat’s individual needs and temperament.
Specialty Services & Add Ons
De shedding treatments, flea and tick treatments, anal gland expression, nail trimming and creative color services using pet safe color products are also available.
Client Love
“I LOVE bringing my dog Charlie to Michelle. No matter what my dog comes in looking like, he certainly leaves looking so handsome. Plus, Charlie loves going. He’s very happy to be there. Great work done here. Positive atmosphere. I am forever a loyal customer now.” -Brittany
“The best groomer ever. She really did a great job with my cat. Amazing, sweet people that care about your fur babies.” - Linda
“Designs Fur Canines did an amazing job grooming my dog, Porscha! From the moment we arrived, she made Porscha feel comfortable and cared for. She took her time, paid attention to every detail, and Porscha came home looking absolutely beautiful, soft, and smelling amazing. It’s clear Michelle truly loves what she does and treats every dog like family. Her professionalism, patience, and genuine care really stood out. I highly recommend Michelle to anyone looking for a talented and trustworthy groomer. We’ll definitely be back. Thank you for taking such great care of Porscha!”- Nino
“She was Spike’s go-to groomer since he was a baby. When she moved away for a short time, we had to use other people. We were so happy when she came back and started the new business. She is an amazing groomer and definitely knows how to clip a cut as well as scissor cut.”- Lynn
"I cannot recommend this business enough, Michelle is absolutely amazing at what she does. I brought a rescue in a couple months ago after being in a stressful situation and Michelle DELIVERED! She made my baby feel right at home, and he was so comfortable. I have been bringing him back ever since. 1000/10" -Allison
Verona NJ Heritage
For more than 30 years, Designs Fur Canines has been a cornerstone of the Verona community. We honor this history by continuing to provide the artisanal, cage-free grooming experience that has served our neighborhood for generations.
