If you own a dog kennel business, it needs to run efficiently and be managed effectively for the benefit of you, your staff, dog owners, and the dogs who are going to be your guests. This includes having proper systems in place for reservations, client communication, inventory control and accounting.
To ensure that you can deal with these successfully, kennel software designed to manage all of these and more is essential. In this article, we will review and compare 5 of the best kennel software for your business.
Quick Navigation
Best Kennel Software Reviews
Revelation Pets Kennel Software
This software is ideal if you want to integrate all aspects of your kennel business, plus it lets you operate and manage everything remotely from your tablet or smartphone.
Product Highlights
The core of any kennel business is boarding dogs, so anything which can facilitate that has to be beneficial. Revelation Pets Kennel Software creates a simple booking page for clients to reserve overnight boarding. Thereafter, there are various tools to help you manage these with calendars and activity trackers.
In these days of the mobile internet, many business owners can run and manage their business from any location, and you can do likewise with this software. Using your mobile phone or tablet you can manage bookings and other details easily and securely.
You want your business to make a profit, but it can only do so if you are in control of income and expenditure. To make this much easier for you this kennel software can integrate with accounting software such as Xero and QuickBooks, so you can track every cent and dollar.
The Good
The software has a plugin which allows your satisfied customers to leave testimonials and reviews, which are essential if you want to grow your business.
The Bad
The standard version does not allow for daycare which is a core service most kennels want to offer.
PROS
CONS
Pawfinity Premium Kennel Software
This is another cloud-based software which has several package options available for businesses which may offer alternative services such as training and grooming.
Product Highlights
Pawfinity has realized that not every kennel business will offer additional services such as grooming, whereas there are some which offer these services, but not boarding. Rather than only having a 'one size fits all' software system, they offer smaller packages such as 'Groom and Train' for those geared towards services, and a 'Stay and Play' option for those with boarding.
If your kennel employs staff, many kennel software options do not have an option for you to include payroll, but with Pawfinity's software, you can. Its time clock facility is fully integrated, so you can check staff working hours for example, and has a commission tracker for those who are paid commissions as part of their remuneration.
Communicating with clients is not only convenient for you and them, but it helps enormously with customer service. You can update them on any services you may have, plus they can respond with questions or booking requests.
The Good
Pawfinity offers a 30-day free trial which gives you a whole month to try it out to see if it is suitable for your kennel business.
The Bad
Although it has payment processing, there are no accounting features.
PROS
CONS
Petlinx Grooming, Boarding Kennel and Daycare Software
This software from Petlinx is downloadable so it sits on your business computer or computer system if you have a larger operation.
Product Highlights
When software producers make their product easy for users to navigate, it proves that they appreciate that ease of use is one of the primary features any software should have. Thankfully Petlinx has created software that has visual menus and a very user-friendly search system to find clients, pets, and other information.
The software has functions which let you customize and create your business documents to suit your needs. Being able to have reports, invoices, and other documents exactly the way you want them to appear makes them not only easier to use but helps to brand your business if you include logos and other company details.
Records and data are an integral element of any business, so you'll be pleased to know that Petlinx's kennel software allows you to keep all manner of information. This includes appointments, contact information, invoices, employee details, and much more.
The Good
This is a very comprehensive tool that allows any kennel business to keep very detailed records of all the information it needs to run smoothly.
The Bad
Petlinx's pricing structure is as complicated as you will ever come across. There are too many levels, modules, and additions to the extent that we counted at least 26 different amounts on their pricing page, and that is before we even look at the add-ons.
PROS
CONS
Kennel Connection Premium Pet Care Software
This is computer-based software that requires no internet connection, although you can purchase a cloud-based version for an additional fee.
Product Highlights
The software is sold on a modular basis where you only buy the modules you require for the services you offer. Therefore, if you do not offer grooming, there is no need to purchase that module, which simplifies your system.
For those kennel business owners who do have groomers and trainers, there is a great scheduling system included, which helps you keep your business running smoothly. It also ensures your customers receive the best service, as no appointments should be missed or forgotten by staff.
You can access every possible report you might require as the software literally generates hundreds of different ones. These include sales reports, scheduling, pet and client information, employee data, and just about anything else you can think of that your business might need.
One great feature is the ability to generate gift cards which friends and relatives can purchase for your dog owner clients. This is a great way to boost your brand, not to mention the increased revenue stream it creates.
The Good
The reporting facility of this software is awesome, with any kennel owner able to access tons of information about their business and its operations.
The Bad
There is no monthly fee option, therefore, it requires an upfront payment of several hundred dollars.
PROS
CONS
Dog Biz Pro Software for Dog Professionals
If you are on the move a lot this kennel software will appeal, due to its great mobile accessibility, which will allow you to access your business from any internet enabled device.
Product Highlights
One of the best features this software has is that clients can register, and then they can login thereafter at any time. When logged in they can register for training classes, reserve boarding kennels, book grooming times, or simply update their or their dog's details.
To encourage higher value purchases, the system allows you to sell packages of services to dog owners for all the services which you offer. This function will keep track of how many classes or sessions each client has used from their package.
If you already have a website, rather than scrap it or build a new one, you can integrate functions into it using what Dog Biz Pro calls, “Website Widgets.” These take elements of the software and display them on your websites, such as lists of available classes and their schedules, so clients can see when they are available.
The Good
Uniquely, Dog Biz Pro has an online demo of its system, so you can get a real understanding of how it operates, which helps you decide if it’s the right software for your dog kennel business.
The Bad
Given how important email is to any business, it is disappointing that including email functions will require additional payments.
PROS
CONS
Buyers Guide
Software, by its very nature, can be complicated, so to help simplify your search we've highlighted five of the main features that you should consider when looking for dog kennel software.
Appointment Management
This is crucial if you want your dog kennel business to run smoothly. It allows you and your staff to plan properly and to ensure that clients and their dogs are seen when they booked their appointments, which can only enhance your business's reputation.
Calendar Management
This has a positive impact on the efficiency of your business overall. It not only includes clients’ appointments on site, but off-site too; plus, you can highlight other dates such as public holidays, staff vacations, and other one-off events.
Customer Management
Using software to keep accurate and up to date records of clients and their dogs should be a given of any kennel business. It shows you care about your customers, plus it makes sure there are no mishaps such as invoices being sent to the wrong addresses.
Pet Birthday Tracking
Businesses that go that extra mile with a personal touch are the ones that generate customer loyalty and as a result, have higher profits. The cost of sending a client’s dog a birthday card because you've tracked their birthday with the software will be repaid multiple times.
Pet Grooming
This is a great service to offer customers. Whether you offer it as a separate service or an add-on to boarding, you can keep track of all bookings and invoices using dog kennel software.
Best Dog Kennel Software FAQs
Question 1: What is kennel software?
Kennel software is a package or suite of programs, applications, and reporting tools which help kennel owners manage their businesses more effectively. Booking customer appointments, staff scheduling, and invoicing are just a fraction of the many ways kennel software can be used to improve your business.
Question 2: How can kennel software benefit my business?
The number of ways is almost limitless. It can make it more efficient, improve record and data keeping, make it more organized, enhance customer relations, and most importantly, boost profits as a result.
Question 3: What difference will kennel software make to my customers?
Making it easier for them to book appointments, better communication systems, and even being able to have a special page just for their pet, will increase levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, which is the foundation of any business.
Question 4: What does ‘cloud-based’ kennel software mean?
Cloud based means the software is accessed online, rather than downloaded to a computer. The advantage is you can access it from anywhere and on any mobile device
Question 5: Do I need to be technical minded to use kennel software?
You do not. You obviously need to learn how it functions and how to use the various features, but there is nothing technical about it.
Conclusion
As we conclude our reviews, we hope you agree that having dog kennel software to help run your business is a must if you want to keep your business running smoothly, efficiently, and profitably. We are happy to recommend all 5 of the software options we reviewed, but there is one which we believe is ahead of the rest.
In our view, the best dog kennel software is Revelation Pets Kennel Software. The reason is that we believe it not only offers great value for money across all its packages, but it also has the most comprehensive package of features.
Boarding, appointments, invoicing, pet tracking, and communication are just some the essential management tools it has; plus, it can also integrate with accounting software which helps you keep control of your business's finances.
It is also customizable, so you can make it look exactly how you want. Perhaps the most important feature is that it can be accessed via the internet for busy business owners who need mobile access.
