Predictable Revenue, Without the Complexity
Every pet business owner has the same wish: predictable revenue. Knowing what is coming next month, not hoping clients rebook.
Packages helped. A 10-pack sold today means 10 guaranteed visits. But packages are lumpy. The client buys, uses them over months, then there is a gap before they buy again. Your revenue chart looks like a rollercoaster.
Memberships fix this.
What Are Petboost Memberships?
A membership is a recurring subscription that gives your client included services each billing period. They pay automatically (monthly, quarterly, or annually), and in return, they get a set of benefits: included sessions, percentage discounts, or unlimited access to specific services.
Think of it as the difference between selling someone a coffee card (packages) and selling them a monthly coffee subscription (memberships). Both work. Both have a place. But subscriptions give you predictable, recurring revenue that shows up every month without you doing anything.
How It Works
1. Create a Plan
Give it a name, description, price, and billing cycle. "The Pampered Pup Plan: $220/month" or "Daycare Member: $480/month" or "Weekly Walker: $150/week."
2. Add Benefits
Each plan can have multiple benefits. For example:
- 4 full grooms per month (usage-limited)
- Unlimited nail trims (unlimited)
- 15% off all add-ons (percentage discount)
- 2 boarding nights per quarter (different window)
Each benefit has its own usage limit, service targeting, and overage behaviour.
3. Assign Members
Add a pet owner to a plan. Stripe creates the subscription, charges their card on the billing cycle, and handles retry if a payment fails. You configure a grace period before benefits are suspended.
4. Track Usage
Every benefit tracks usage within a configurable window. "2 of 4 grooms used this month. Resets 1 June." Counters reset automatically at the start of each period. Zero admin from you.
5. Handle Overage
When included uses are exhausted, you decide what happens:
- Block further bookings until the window resets
- Allow bookings at full price
- Allow bookings at an overage discount (for example, 20% off instead of 100% off)
Memberships vs Packages: Use Both
This is not replacing packages. They solve different problems.
| Packages | Memberships | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment | One-off upfront purchase | Automatic recurring billing |
| Revenue pattern | Lumpy (buy, use, gap, re-buy) | Predictable (monthly, every month) |
| Usage | Credits deplete, then stop | Window resets, then refresh |
| Client commitment | Low (can just not re-buy) | Higher (subscription auto-renews) |
| Best for | Bulk discounts, casual clients | Regular clients, revenue stability |
A daycare might offer both: a 10-day pack for casual visitors and a Monthly Member plan for regulars. Different clients prefer different models.
Example Plans by Vertical
Dog Grooming
The Pampered Pup: $220/month
- 4 full grooms per month
- Unlimited nail trims between grooms
- 15% off deshedding and teeth cleaning add-ons
- Overage: extra grooms at 20% off
Dog Daycare
The Social Butterfly: $480/month
- 12 daycare sessions per month
- Priority same-day booking
- 10% off grooming services
- Overage: extra sessions at $45 (instead of $55)
Dog Walking
The Daily Walker: $600/month
- 20 solo walks per month
- Photo report card after every walk
- 10% off group walks
- Overage: extra walks at full price
Pet Boarding
The Frequent Flyer: $350/quarter
- 2 boarding stays per quarter (up to 5 nights each)
- 20% off extra nights beyond included
- Priority holiday booking
- Quarterly billing matches travel planning
Canine Rehab
The Recovery Plan: $960/month
- 8 hydrotherapy sessions per month
- 2 physiotherapy consultations
- Progress reporting included
- Overage: extra sessions at 15% off
Why Members Stay Longer
There is a psychological shift when someone moves from "buying sessions" to "being a member." Members feel like they belong. They feel committed. They use their benefits because the window resets and they do not want to waste what they are paying for.
This is the "use it or lose it" effect. A member with 4 grooms per month is motivated to book all 4. That means regular visits, consistent revenue, and a client who is deeply embedded in your business.
Compare this to a package buyer who uses 6 of 10 sessions in 3 months, then disappears for 6 weeks before you chase them up.
What Pet Owners See
In their portal, members see:
- Their plan name and what is included
- Remaining benefits with visual progress bars
- Next reset date ("Resets 1 June")
- Payment details and billing history
When booking, services covered by their membership are clearly marked. They see the adjusted price immediately. No surprises at checkout.
Billing That Handles Itself
Memberships are powered by Stripe Subscriptions. That means:
- Automatic charges on the billing cycle (you do not invoice manually)
- Failed payment retry (Stripe retries automatically over several days)
- Configurable grace period before benefits are suspended
- Proration calculated automatically when members change plans mid-cycle
- Australian Stripe rates (1.7% + $0.30 per charge)
You configure the plan. Stripe handles the money. You focus on the pets.
Getting Started
- Navigate to Memberships in your business dashboard
- Create your first plan with pricing and billing cycle
- Add benefits (start simple: one or two included services)
- Assign your most loyal clients to the plan
- Watch recurring revenue appear in your Stripe dashboard
Start with your regulars. The clients who already come every month. They will love the structure and the value. Then expand to clients you want to convert from occasional to regular.
What is Next
We are continuing to deepen the membership experience:
- Benefit indicators during booking (showing which services are covered)
- Adjusted pricing in the booking flow (so members see $0 for included services)
- Usage alerts when approaching limits
Memberships are live today. Create your first plan and start building the recurring revenue your business deserves.