This is the one you have been waiting for.
From day one, the most requested feature on our roadmap has been the same thing, every single time: "Can I text my clients back?"
Today, the answer is yes. And it is so much better than you imagined.
Petboost Messaging Pro is a complete 2-way SMS messaging system built from the ground up for Australian pet businesses. Your own dedicated phone number. A full threaded inbox. Delivery tracking on every message. Smart credit management that never lets you run dry. And zero inbound SMS fees, so when your clients text you back, it costs you nothing.
This is not a bolted-on SMS gateway. This is a communication platform purpose-built for the way pet businesses actually work.
Your Own Dedicated Number
Let's start with the thing that changes everything: your own Australian phone number.
When you activate Messaging Pro, Petboost provisions a dedicated phone number just for your business. Not a shared pool. Not a random number that changes. Your number. Your clients save it in their contacts. They recognise it when a reminder comes through. And when they want to reply, they text that number and it lands directly in your Petboost inbox.
The provisioning process includes identity verification (KYC) to comply with Australian telecommunications regulations. You submit your business details, Petboost handles the verification with Sinch Australia, and once approved, your number is live. The whole process is managed from your Settings page with clear status updates at every step.
Why does this matter? Because trust is everything in pet services. When a client sees a message from a number they recognise, they read it. When they see a random number, they ignore it. A dedicated number means your reminders get read, your messages get replies, and your business looks professional.
A Real Inbox, Not a Send-and-Pray System
The Messaging Pro inbox is not a list of outbound messages. It is a full conversation view with threaded replies, just like the messaging apps your clients use every day.
Every conversation shows the full thread: your outbound messages, their replies, timestamps, and delivery status. You can search conversations, filter by read/unread, star important threads, and archive old ones. The interface is designed for speed, because when a client texts "Can I move Bella's groom to Friday?" you need to reply quickly, not hunt through a clunky admin panel.
But here is where it gets genuinely powerful: the side panel. When you open any conversation, the right-hand panel shows you everything you need to know about that client:
- Their pets with breed, age, and notes
- Upcoming appointments with dates, services, and team members
- Contact details and communication preferences
- Booking history and spending patterns
You are not just texting. You are texting with full context. When Sarah asks about Buddy's next groom, you can see his appointment is booked for Thursday at 10am with Jessica, his last groom was 6 weeks ago, and he is due for a nail clip. You reply with confidence. No switching apps. No checking the calendar. It is all right there.
Every Message, Tracked
Every outbound SMS shows a delivery status: Sent, Delivered, or Failed. These are not guesses. Delivery reports come directly from the carrier network via Sinch Australia, so you know your message actually reached the client's phone.
If a message fails (wrong number, phone off, carrier issue), you see it immediately. No more wondering whether that reminder went through. No more clients saying "I never got your message" when you have no way to verify. You know. Every time.
Smart Credit Management
Messaging Pro works alongside the existing Petboost SMS credit system, but it adds some important extras:
- Additional monthly credits on top of your plan allowance
- Zero inbound SMS fees: when clients reply to you, it does not cost a credit
- Plan credits used first: your monthly plan credits are consumed before any purchased pack credits
- Pack credits never expire: buy a credit pack and those credits sit in your account until you use them
- Auto top-up: choose a credit pack tier and Petboost automatically purchases more when your balance hits zero
You set it and forget it. Credits are managed, notifications go out, clients reply, and you never have to think about running out mid-month. If you do want to manage things manually, the dashboard shows your current balance, usage this month, and a forecast of when you will need more.
Built for Pet Businesses, Not Bolted On
Most pet business software that offers SMS treats it as an afterthought. A one-way blast. A notification that goes out and disappears into the void.
Petboost Messaging Pro was designed from scratch to handle the reality of how pet businesses communicate:
- Appointment reminders that clients can respond to: "Running 10 mins late!" or "Can we reschedule?"
- Post-appointment follow-ups that start real conversations: "How is Bella after her groom?" "She loved it! Can we book again next month?"
- Payment links via SMS that clients can tap and pay instantly, no awkward chasing
- Pick-up and drop-off notifications that keep owners informed in real time
- Ad-hoc messages for anything else: "We have a cancellation tomorrow at 2pm if Max needs a bath!"
This is the communication layer that pet businesses have been missing. Not more automation. Real, human conversations, managed professionally from one place.
What Messaging Pro Includes
Here is the full breakdown of what you get when you activate Messaging Pro:
- Dedicated Australian phone number provisioned and verified for your business
- 2-way SMS inbox with threaded conversations, search, filters, starring, and archiving
- Client context panel showing pets, bookings, history, and contact details
- Delivery tracking on every outbound message (Sent, Delivered, Failed)
- Additional monthly SMS credits on top of your plan allowance
- Zero inbound SMS fees for all client replies
- Auto top-up with configurable credit pack tiers
- STOP/HELP keyword handling for built-in compliance
- Daily per-client rate limits to prevent over-messaging
- KYC-verified number provisioning via Sinch Australia
How to Get Started
Activating Messaging Pro takes about 2 minutes:
- Navigate to Settings > SMS in your Petboost dashboard
- Click Activate Messaging Pro
- Complete the identity verification (business name, ABN, address)
- Petboost provisions your dedicated number
- Once approved, your number is live and ready to use
You can start sending and receiving 2-way messages immediately. Your existing automated reminders and notifications continue to work exactly as before, now sent from your dedicated number so clients recognise who is texting them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need Messaging Pro for SMS reminders?
No. Automated SMS reminders, confirmations, and notifications are included with Business Pro and Business Max plans. Messaging Pro adds 2-way conversations, a dedicated number, and the threaded inbox.
How much does Messaging Pro cost?
Messaging Pro pricing is shown on the SMS Messaging page and in your dashboard under Billing > Power-Ups. It is a monthly add-on available on Business Pro and Business Max plans.
Can I keep my existing phone number?
Messaging Pro provisions a new dedicated number for your Petboost account. You cannot port an existing number at this time.
What happens if I deactivate Messaging Pro?
Your dedicated number is released and 2-way messaging is disabled. Existing conversation history is preserved in your account. Automated one-way notifications continue on your base plan.
Are there limits on how many messages I can send?
Your monthly plan credits and any purchased pack credits determine your send volume. Inbound replies from clients are free and unlimited. Daily per-client rate limits prevent accidental over-messaging.
Related Petboost Features
- SMS Messaging: Full details on SMS capabilities, pricing, and credit management
- Pro Automations: Automated confirmations, reminders, and payment collection
- Self-Service Booking: Let clients book themselves 24/7
- Reporting & Intelligence: Analytics and insights for your business