Choosing a Pet Care Booking Software? Here’s What You Need to Know

So, you’ve found yourself the perfect career. How about finding spare time? With 51% of UK adults owning a pet, we know how busy groomers and dog trainers can be as pet parents want the best for their four-legged friends. The problem with being popular though is fitting everyone into your packed schedule.

If you’re spending hours on admin instead of following your passions, it sounds like a pet care booking software could be helpful. But much like shopping for the best deshedding brush or training treats, it can take some research to find the right tool for your business.

Let's break down all the features of booking software and how it can benefit your pet care business, so you can get back to doing what you love (and enjoying funny animal videos).

What to look for in a pet care booking software

Whether you’re frustrated by no-shows, want to simplify your appointments, or need new customers, the right booking system can streamline and grow your pet business faster than a flyball competition at Crufts!

Each service will offer a range of features, some common and others unique, so it’s worth weighing up what’s important to you and your clients. Are you managing a team with varying schedules? Do your customers forget when their appointments are? How much can you afford to spend for the system you want?

Here’s a look at a few essential features to help you make the best decision for your pet care business.

24/7 online bookings

Ever been working with a furry customer or watching your favourite show when a call interrupts you at the most inconvenient moment? “How about next Thursday at 3pm, are you free then?” It’s the latest in an endless string of back-and-forth messages, just for one appointment.

That’s why the most important feature of a pet care booking software is (unsurprisingly) the booking functionality. The calendar should provide customers with a clear view of time slots and description of each available service so they can make and change their own appointments, anytime and anywhere. Now you don’t need to search for your diary mid-episode (or mid-groom) to schedule that session!

Some pet care professionals worry that having an online calendar that’s accessible 24/7 means they’ll be booked all day, every day. With a platform like Pata though, you can block out time for any repeating absences and add shift patterns, so your live availability reflects your work-life balance.

Protection against no-shows and cancellations

It’s one thing for plans to change in the days before; at least you can rest easy knowing the appointment will go ahead another time. No-shows and last-minute cancellations are a whole other issue in the world of pet care.

We know every minute is precious when you’re running your own business, and missed appointments can seriously impact your growth. There are three ways in which a pet care booking software can help:

1. Upfront payments

Not only can upfront payments encourage customers to keep their appointments, they also ensure that your efforts aren’t wasted if a furry friend doesn’t turn up. Look for a booking software that allows you to collect payments online or via a card terminal; ideal for making the most of that post-groom glow to book the next appointment, right there and then!

No more chasing payments (or your own tail) and fewer missed appointments!

2. Automated client communications

Everyone forgets things, especially when there are extra legs to look after. Many pros tackle this by sending appointment reminders themselves, but this takes up valuable time when a pet care booking software can do it for you. The right tool will free you up to run your business, not your inbox — keeping clients aware of schedule changes and sending automated messages ahead of time.

3. Waiting lists

We’ve all received that message when we’re halfway out the door to meet a friend, you know the one. “Sorry, something has come up. Can we reschedule?” Whether you sigh in frustration or relief as you sink back into the sofa, that’s personal and this is business; so don’t let an appointment slot go to waste.

Find a pet business booking software that allows your clients to join a waiting list (*cough* Pata *cough*), so you always have someone on stand-by to claim a cancelled booking. With that, last-minute gaps in your diary and frantic calls to fill them will be a thing of the past.

Easy-to-use pet care software

With clients leaving glowing reviews, you’ll be busier than ever (if that’s possible!) and organising your time will get trickier, especially if you use a paper diary. Add in a team of fellow animal lovers who work across multiple locations and you might spend more hours tediously organising schedules than with your clients. That’s why you need easy-to-use software that swaps the complexity of other tools for user-friendly design to help streamline the process.

Look for simple admin tools that enable you to check your upcoming (and previous) appointments, adjust your view by day or week, and filter by team member or location. This keeps all your appointments in one place, but gives you the flexibility on what you see.

Some booking software also features the ability to set repeating appointments with a custom pattern, redeemable as part of a membership where clients buy services in bundles. Whether that’s off-leash training every Monday and Friday for six sessions, or nail clipping every four weeks, you can tailor your calendar to your business and say goodbye to scribbling the same name on repeat.

Subscription-free plan

So, you know which features your ideal pet care software needs. The final consideration is cost. Booking platforms will often charge a monthly fee, but what’s the impact of that?

Upfront and/or monthly costs can be daunting, especially for newer or smaller businesses, adding pressure to learn the system and handle the changeover quickly. This makes your already busy days even busier, and could impact your clients if they need time to get up to speed. That’s why we at Pata think subscription-free plans should lead the way, and only charge a small commission if you choose to process payments either online or via a card reader, with PataPay.

With no monthly payment, you can dip your toes before diving in (water-obsessed goldens could never!) and see whether it works for you. If it doesn’t, you’re not out of pocket. And if it does, you can take the leap without worrying that you’ll need to increase your prices to cover the cost.

Finding the right pet care booking software for you

To compare this blog to a morning dog walk, you’re on the home stretch! Put the kettle on and before it boils, we’ll have found you the best booking software for your pet care business.

Clearly there are lots of things to consider and every professional’s needs are different. But whether just some or all of the features mentioned here appeal to you, we think you’ll enjoy getting to know Pata; the pet care software that makes bookings easy.

As a team of animal lovers ourselves, we think pros and their furry clients deserve the best experience, and it shouldn’t cost you the world. That’s why we built a subscription-free booking system that’s designed to make managing your business easier and help you do more of what you love.

Don’t just take our word for it though — expert dog behaviourist, Erik Prins, and Amanda Coverdale, pet groomer at Mia’s Paw Spa, are both following their passions with Pata. If you’d like to walk in their footsteps and learn more about us, why not try a free demo or sign up.

We can’t wait to meet you (and see photos of all your furry clients)!