When it comes to choosing pet care software, cost is often the first thing people focus on—but it’s important to think beyond the price tag. While it’s tempting to choose the lowest-cost option, if the software doesn’t meet your needs, you could end up spending more time and money trying to make it work. What seems like a great deal upfront can quickly turn into a costly mistake. On the flip side, some features are worth the extra investment. For example, how much would you pay for a tool that boosts your revenue by 30%? When you look at it that way, a higher price tag can be easier to justify. Ultimately, the focus should be on the value the software delivers, not just the sticker price.
The truth is, we tend to fixate on an industry-standard price rather than the actual value the software delivers. I know some people who balk at the idea of paying $50 more per month, yet willingly spend twice as much on review management alone.
For smaller facilities, prices are generally around $80/month for limited functionality to $150/month for full service offerings
Larger facilities can expect to pay between $175/month to $300/month depending on what features are enabled
Additional Fees
Beyond the base monthly cost, additional fees can quickly add up. Here are some of the most common extra charges you might encounter:
Set-up fees
One-time charges for onboarding
Additional seats
Some companies charge based on the number of users
Membership services
Tools to manage memberships
Revenue management features
Unlocks dynamic pricing capabilities
Additional reservations
Fees based on the number of reservations processed in a given month
External reviews
Services to help you gain more reviews on platforms like Google and Yelp
Check-in kiosks
Fees for free-standing devices to streamline the check in/out process
Photo and video storage
You may need to pay if you exceed your allotment of storage
Messaging fees
Limitations on the number of messages, with extra charges ranging from one to three cents per message
Integrations
Sometimes these are sold individually, typically costing $25-$100 per month
Card terminals
Necessary if you’re processing payments and need to purchase a card terminal.
I’m not a fan of feeling nickel-and-dimed, so at Goose, we try to minimize additional fees whenever possible. Of the fees listed above, the most concerning to me is pricing based on the number of seats. This can lead facilities to share logins in an attempt to save money, which is a security nightmare.
Contracts
One last thing to consider is the length of the contract. Some providers give the illusion of a monthly contract but require a 12-month commitment. If the software doesn’t meet your needs, you could be stuck paying for it—or face a hefty fee to cancel. If you’re offered a longer-term contract, make sure it comes with some sort of pricing break.
Choosing the right software for your pet care business is about more than just picking the product with the lowest price or the flashiest features. It’s about evaluating everything—from functionality and support to pricing and long-term value.
As we wrap up this blog series, I’d like to offer one last piece of advice: take the time to test the software yourself. Dive in, explore the features, and think about how it addresses the day-to-day challenges you face. Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to challenge the way things have always been done. Sometimes the most common practices—like request-based booking—were built out of necessity but don’t always fit the needs of today’s business landscape. Use this opportunity not only to evaluate new software but to reflect on your current processes. What’s truly working for your business, and what could be improved? The right software should help you move forward, not just maintain the status quo.
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