Running a pet boarding and daycare business involves managing various aspects, including reservations, customer information, scheduling, billing, employee management and more.
We have talked to many owners of pet boarding and daycare businesses to see what they use to streamline operations and improve efficiency of their business. Let's explore the top software tools that owners are saying are crucial to their pet boarding and daycare business in 2024.
Which areas of your pet boarding & daycare business can software help with?
- Booking and Reservation: Platforms like Gingr, PawLoyalty, or PetExec are specifically designed for managing pet boarding and daycare reservations, check-ins, and check-outs.
- Point of Sale (POS) System: Square, Lightspeed, or Shopify POS can help manage transactions, invoices, and billing for your pet services.
- Accounting Software: QuickBooks, Xero, or FreshBooks can help you with financial management, invoicing, and expense tracking.
- Employee Communication & Scheduling Tools: Use tools like Breakroom, Deputy, When I Work for internal communication and managing employee schedules
- Website and Online Presence: Consider using platforms like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace to create a professional website for your business.
- Pet Health Records: Systems like Pet Sitter Plus or PetLinx can help you keep track of pet health records, medications, and special instructions.
- Security and Surveillance: Implement security cameras and systems like iDogCam and Online Doggy to monitor the facility for the safety and security of the pets.
- Customer Feedback and Reviews: Encourage customers to leave reviews on platforms like Yelp or Google My Business to build trust and attract new clients.
Before selecting any software, make sure to assess your specific business needs, budget constraints, and the scalability of the tools. Additionally, ensure that the software you choose complies with any legal or regulatory requirements in your area, especially regarding data protection and privacy for pet and customer information.
6 Best Software Tools for Pet Boarding & Daycare Businesses
1. Gingr
Gingr pros:
- Comprehensive reservation management
- Automated communications
- Includes health and safety features
Gingr cons:
- Expensive
Gingr stands out as an exceptional solution for pet boarding and daycare businesses due to its comprehensive and user-friendly platform. The software seamlessly integrates reservation management, check-in and check-out processes, and billing functionalities, offering a centralized hub for efficient business operations. Its customizable settings cater to the diverse needs of different facilities, ensuring flexibility and adaptability. Gingr's emphasis on health and safety features, such as vaccination tracking and emergency protocols, demonstrates a commitment to the well-being of animals. The platform's automated communication tools keep pet owners informed, contributing to a positive customer experience. With financial management capabilities, scalability for businesses of varying sizes, and integration options, Gingr provides a robust and streamlined solution.
2. Broadly
Braodly pros:
- Helps you get more reviews online
- Chat feature that responds to customers instantly
Broadly cons:
- Not 100% necessary if you rely less on digital marketing
- Expensive
Broadly stands out as a comprehensive customer communication and online reputation management platform, particularly beneficial for local businesses such as pet boarding and daycare services. Renowned for its user-friendly interface, Broadly excels in automating customer communications, including appointment reminders and follow-ups, fostering increased engagement and loyalty. The platform's emphasis on online reputation management shines through its ability to actively solicit and manage customer reviews on key platforms, enhancing businesses' visibility and credibility in local searches. Offering customization options, analytics for data-driven decisions, and integration capabilities with other business tools, Broadly provides a well-rounded solution for businesses looking to optimize their online presence, customer relationships, and overall operational efficiency.
3. Breakroom
Breakroom pros:
- Communication tools built specifically for small businesses like pet boarding & daycare
- Integrated scheduling features
- Affordable and flat pricing
Breakroom cons:
- Lack of integrations
Breakroom provides a centralized platform for team communication, allowing pet boarding and daycare businesses to streamline communication channels and keep all team members connected. It enables real-time messaging, reducing the reliance on scattered communication methods like emails, text messages, or phone calls. Breakroom also offers tools for scheduling and shift management. With a mobile app, Breakroom is accessible on all smart phones, enabling small business owners and employees to stay connected even when they are on the go. Breakroom has gained popularity as an affordable team chat app for small and medium-sized businesses because of its simplicity, ease of use, and afforadability.
4. iDogCam
iDogCam pros:
- Have been in the industry for over 10 years
- Real-time IT support
- Integration with Gingr
iDogCam has a combination of advanced pet monitoring features that enhance the pet owner's ability to remotely interact and monitor their pets. This include features such as live streaming for real-time monitoring, two-way communication for interaction, motion detection alerts, and high-quality video capabilities. The greatness of iDogCam would likely stem from its ability to provide a comprehensive and user-friendly solution for owners of pet boarding and daycare business to allow pet owners to stay connected with with their pets from a distance.
5. PetBizInsurance.com
PetBizInsurance.com pros:
- Insurance specialized for pets
- Licensed in 48 states
PetBizInsurance.com specializes in delivering tailored insurance solutions to pet business professionals, such as pet groomers, mobile groomers, kennels, pet stores, pet trainers, veterinarians and more. Licensed in 48 states, PetBizInsurance.com iare passionately dedicated to ensuring the security of pet industry professionals, offering comprehensive coverage options that genuinely protect their businesses and the pets they care for.
6. Instagram
Instagram pros:
- Large audience to drive sales
- Optimized for sharing photos
Instagram has evolved into an extraordinary platform for businesses, particularly those in the pet care industry, to exhibit their products and services. This social media giant provides an ideal space to interact with customers and enhance brand visibility through captivating visual content. We highly endorse Instagram due to its capacity to draw in a diverse and global clientele. The platform's features empower businesses to showcase their expertise and offerings in a dynamic and imaginative manner, fostering a more engaging and visually appealing connection with their audience.
