TheBakersfieldCalifornian.com

It doesn't matter if someone plans to chop off several inches of hair or just get a trim. Headquarter's Salon will cut it, sweep it up and ship it off in hopes of helping clean up the Gulf of Mexico's oil spill.

"We're going to do our part and just send it off. I'm excited to be involved," said Headquarters Salon owner Kimberly Walton, whose salon has collected two Shop-Vacs full of hair clippings.

Like hundreds of other salons and pet groomers across the country, Headquarters Salon has teamed up with Matter of Trust, a nonprofit organization that has created 10 miles worth of hair, fur and fleece boom to donate and help communities soak up incoming oil from this recent spill.

Over the last three weeks, clients have poured into the salon wanting to contribute and donate their locks of hair for a good cause. For some, chopping off their hair wasn't enough. While getting their hair done, several clients called, texted and went on Facebook to spread the news to their family and friends, Walton said.

According to Matter of Trust President Lisa Gautier, BP wants to use its own synthetic boom instead of using the thousands of natural boom that have been assembled with the help of many volunteers.

Nineteen warehouses spread from Florida to Louisiana have been donated to store the natural boom.

"We're just there to donate to anyone who wants it -- if people want it, they can have it," Gautier said.

Volunteers continue to stuff nylons and other hosiery with hair to form a boom that looks like a sausage that absorbs oil. So far, there have been several thousand boom handed out to communities in need.

Even though all of this natural material is not being used by BP, some local salons and groomers remain optimistic, while others have stopped collecting because of the pricey shipping costs.

"I didn't look at the price because it is going to a good cause," said Self Serve Pet Spa owner Amy Sidhu.

Numerous people have stopped by to shave their dogs' fur coat, which has amounted to 25 pounds of dog hair within a month.

Another business that has received an increase of scruffy four-legged clients is All Fur Pets Grooming.

"We are still collecting and mailing it. It's like a secret club to be in because the address keeps changing. It's about less than $20 to send a box," said owner Peggie Soltis.

The reason for these address changes is a mass of people are donating and warehouses are quickly being filled.

"I was so thrilled that hair was recyclable because I recycle everything. I thought the only way to recycle with dog hair was to put it around fruit trees to keep deer away. Even if I have to pay, I'm happy to help out," Soltis said.

For those interested in donating or collecting, visit matteroftrust.org.