Sassier, Snippier And More Cutthroat! See Which Groomer Will Outshave, Outclip and Outdo the Rest When Animal Planet Returns With a Second Round of Hit Reality Series GROOMER HAS IT

- Watch the Contestants Fight Like Cats and Dogs to Win, Beginning Saturday, April 11, at 9 PM (ET/PT) -

SILVER SPRING, Md., March 11 -- Are you missing the drama, snide remarks and whining contestants from your favorite fashion reality show? Well, the claws are out, and the catty comments and tearful hissy fits are back as Animal Planet kicks off the second season of its hot reality, competition series GROOMER HAS IT, hosted by Emmy award-winner, Jai Rodriguez ("Queer Eye for the Straight Guy"). GROOMER HAS IT sniffs out 12 of America's most passionate and skilled 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 "Groomer of the Year." The contestants will be put to the test each week to see who can turn the dingiest dog into a glamorous, pampered pup beginning Saturday, April 11, at 9 PM (ET/PT).

These talented and quirky groomers live together in a swanky Los Angeles loft, aka "The Doghouse," which can sometimes be too close for comfort. During each grooming challenge, the contestants work shoulder to shoulder and, sometimes as teams, tasked with everything from creating signature looks for a "bridal and groom party" in the show's first-ever doggie wedding, to using their canine-grooming skills on pot-belly pigs. After each challenge, Jai consults with our outspoken panel of judges including esteemed veterinarian Dr. Karen Halligan, champion dog handler Xavier Santiago and leading U.S. grooming expert Joey Villani as they decide which contestant does not make the cut. The grand-prize winner will receive his/her very own state of the art mobile grooming salon from Wag'n Tails Mobile Grooming, a brand-new Subaru Forester, a cash prize of $50,000 and the prestigious title of "Groomer of the Year." With a prize package totaling approximately $145,000, groomers fight for their right to jump start their 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.

HOST:

Jai Rodriguez is returning for the second year in a row as the host of GROOMER HAS IT 2. A star of television and Broadway, Jai's credits include his Emmy award-winning role as the "Culture Vulture" on Bravo's hit show "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" as well as roles on "All My Children," "One Life to Live," the hit Broadway musicals "The Producers" and "Rent" and "NIP/TUCK". Each week, Jai and his adorable yorkie Nemo, the show's "messenger dog," introduce the "Quick Sniff" and elimination challenges to the groomers who ultimately determine who will be named "Groomer of the Year."

JUDGES:

Dr. Karen Halligan is a renowned veterinarian, author, and devoted pet owner who has developed a distinguished veterinary medical career while gaining acclaim as a national authority on animals. Doc Halligan, as she's known by everyone, is currently the Director of Veterinary Services at the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Los Angeles (SPCA LA), where she oversees the health and well being of all the shelter animals and routinely performs surgical procedures and other medical treatments. She is the author of the award-winning book Doc Halligan's What Every Pet Owner Should Know: Prescriptions for Happy, Healthy Cats and Dogs (HarperCollins, 2007) and has appeared on many national television shows as a spokesperson and pet-health expert. Drawing on her extensive knowledge from the front lines of veterinary practice, Doc Halligan regularly shares practical tips and eye-opening advice with pet owners on diet, health, exercise, vet bills, disaster preparedness and many other topics. She is well versed in the art of dog grooming, routinely assisting with the grooming of shelter animals as well as working with numerous groomers during her 12 years of private practice.

Joey Villani, a leading U.S. expert in grooming, began his remarkable career apprenticing for industry visionary John Nash. Having trained thousands of groomers as a top instructor for Mr. Nash's schools, in 1998, Joey became president, director and owner of the Nash Academy of Animal Arts in New Jersey. He is deeply involved with Intergroom International, the largest international grooming conference, and has been instrumental in the organization's branching out into Belgium, Italy and France. Joey is the creator of Dogs in Style, which is a line of pet cosmetics. In addition, he is a co-developer and director of advertising for Nash Canine and Groomers Reference, online dog and grooming instructional guides. Joey tells it like it is, and when impressed, he offers a giant grin and his trademark, "That's it, baby!"

Xavier Santiago began working with dogs as a second-generation owner/handler of Alaskan Malamutes and the working breeds. Since then, he has expanded his knowledge and expertise with handling and grooming to the other groups including the sporting, non-sporting, herding and hounds. With years of experience in canine competition, he has earned his right to be a bit "snippy." With an average attendance of 75 shows per year, Xavier has won numerous first-place ribbons, Best of Winners, Best of Opposites and Best of Breeds at major competitions around the country. With a superb eye for what a coat should look like for each group of dogs as well as an incredible breadth of knowledge of the techniques necessary to achieve such grooms, Xavier has created a line of specific breed-grooming videos to help the first-time owner/handler.

CONTESTANTS:

Animal Planet searched far and wide for the most talented dog groomers across the country with the most personality. Comprised of both amateurs and professionals, they discovered 12 groomers with diverse backgrounds and a wide variety of grooming experience who will duke it out to be the "Groomer of the Year." The contestants include the following:

Cassandra, 25 - "The Spunky Chic" with five years of experience from Akron, OH

Danielle, 25 - "Groomer from the Bronx" with 11 years of experience from Los Angeles, CA

Huber, 42 - "Groomer with a Heart" with 33 years of experience from Los Angeles, CA

Jessica, 22 - "The Girl Next Door" with four years of experience from Jefferson, MA

Joe, 58 - "Chicken Joe" with more than 50 years of experience from Wells, ME

Krista, 28 - "Vegas Girl turned Groomer" with two years of experience from Sherwood Park, Alberta, CAN

Lisa, 42 - "Veteran Groomer" with 30 years of experience from Genoa, IL

Marco, 25 - "All Business" with three years of experience from Redondo Beach, CA

Michael, 39 - "Confident Groomer" with five years of experience from Chicago, IL

Sherri, 28 - "The PTA Mom" with eight years of experience from Medina, OH

Vanessa, 27 - "The Animal Communicator" with 10 years of experience from Long Grove, IL

William, 41 - "The Fashionista" with 16 years of experience from Delray Beach, FL

Viewers can visit AnimalPlanet.com for more information including full-cast and judge bios, a judges blog, video recaps of each episode, a photo gallery of Nemo, video polls and more.

GROOMER HAS IT is officially sponsored by Subaru of America., Inc. GROOMER HAS IT is a production of 3Ball Productions. For 3Ball Productions, J.D. Roth, Todd Nelson and Adam Greener are executive producers. For Animal Planet, Melinda Toporoff is the executive producer.