About Us

A Cut Above is a locally owned, family-operated pet grooming salon located in Sterling, Illinois. We are passionate about providing a safe, comfortable, and positive grooming experience for every pet that walks through our doors.

Many of our clients may remember us as Muddy Paws & More, a salon that proudly earned recognition as Sauk Valley’s Favorite Pet Groomer for multiple years. As we continued to grow, we chose to rebrand as A Cut Above—a name that reflects our commitment to exceptional pet care, continued education, and professional grooming services.

Owner Brittany Shady has over 18 years of grooming experience and leads a team dedicated to treating every pet like family. Whether your pet needs a simple bath, a breed-specific trim, a creative style, or a complete spa day, our goal is to provide personalized care tailored to each pet’s individual needs.

In 2026, Brittany and her husband Kyle proudly purchased a commercial building in Sterling, allowing A Cut Above to continue growing and serving pets throughout the Sauk Valley area.

We look forward to welcoming you and your furry family members to A Cut Above!

Matthew, Aly, Baisey, Hayley, Brittany

Head over to gallery to see our work and learn about your groomers!

We believe your pet deserves the best salon visit.

It's why we...

  • Constantly work to improve our pet groomer’s skills through continuing education

  • Are members of ISCC (International Society of Canine Cosmetologists)

  • Build relationships with the best local pet businesses, rescues and support our community through events

  • Use only top quality grooming, cleaning & sanitizing products

and why we tailor each pet grooming experience to your dog or cat’s needs