My Story.
Let me introduce myself.
My name is Sandra Porter-Gonyea, and I am a Certified Feline Master Groomer (CFMG) from Victor, NY. With over five decades in the pet grooming industry and a lifelong love for cats, my journey in animal care has been both extensive and fulfilling.
Initially, I was deeply involved in the dog grooming world, showing dogs, raising and training dogs, owning grooming salons, and boarding kennels, culminating in operating a mobile grooming salon for small dogs and cats for many years. However, my true passion was always with cats. Recognizing this, I rebranded to create the first feline-exclusive mobile grooming business in the Capital District area. After selling that business in 2021.
I moved to Western NY to accept a position teaching dog grooming at the New York Academy of Pet Styling in Victor, NY. Despite enjoying my teaching role, I missed working with cats and thus decided to open The Cat Spa, where I could groom cats alongside my teaching responsibilities.
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I saw a significant need for high-quality cat grooming and understood that many people mistakenly believe cats groom themselves adequately. This myth motivated me to seek the finest training available. My quest led me to the National Cat Groomers Institute (NCGI) in South Carolina, where I completed a rigorous program, that took me 2 years to become a CFMG. This certification demands mastery in all aspects of feline care, including health and anatomy, breeds and colors, temperament and handling, and various grooming techniques. Only about 420 people worldwide hold this certification, and I am proud to be number 321.
Currently, as of 2025, I am the only CFMG in Upstate New York.
Being a cat grooming expert involves more than just making cats look their best; it's about understanding how to handle different types of cats and providing services and techniques that benefit both the cats and their owners.
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I am an educator to both pet parents and pet professionals sharing the vast knowledge I have gained over 50 years. My online and in-person workshops have been on subjects such as Pet CPR & First Aid, Cat Grooming, and Business Building
Outside of work, I am a proud grandmother to Amelia and Gavin and live a quiet life with my two Shiba Inus and my cats. In my spare time, I enjoy painting, gardening, cooking, and showing my Persian "Chai" and Exotic "Jazz" at CFA cat shows.
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Thank you for visiting The Cat Spa, where your feline friends receive the expert care and loving attention they deserve.
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