Auto-charge cards on file, SMS payment links, pre-authorisation protection, branded invoices, and Xero-ready accounting. No more chasing payments.
Kiwi · Full Groom (Large)
Bichon Frisé · with Dave
Secured by Stripe · PCI Level 1
72hr
Pre-Hold Funds
20+
Hours Saved Monthly
$0
Setup Cost
The appointment ends. The invoice generates. The card charges. The receipt sends. You are already on your next walk.
Card on file captured
Hold placed on the card
Auto-charge initiated
Funds in about two business days
Six steps that used to eat your evening, now handled automatically between checkout and your next booking.
Turn on Auto-pay invoices and the card on file is charged once the invoice is finalised; with Email the customer: booking updates on, the customer is emailed a receipt. No chasing payments, no awkward conversations.
The booking total is held on the card 72 hours before service, so a declined card is caught days before the appointment.
Text, email or copy a secure payment link for customers without a card on file. The appointment is marked Paid when they pay.
Professional invoices with your logo, colours, and ABN. PDF receipts emailed while Email the customer: booking updates is on. Look professional on every transaction.
Include your bank account details on invoices for customers who prefer direct bank transfer. Professional invoicing for all payment preferences.
When a card declines, the customer gets a text and your business gets an alert. The reason shows on the appointment and in the customer’s wallet, where they can replace the card and retry.
A Stripe smart reader at the counter, the Stripe Reader S700 for new readers. The amount comes from the appointment and the payment lands back on it.
Connect Stripe to Xero with Stripe Bank Feeds, so your Stripe transactions flow into Xero for your bookkeeper.
With Auto-pay invoices on, the card on file is charged once the invoice is finalised. The receipt is emailed while Email the customer: booking updates is on, and the payment reaches Xero through Stripe Bank Feeds. The payment conversation simply disappears.
Auto-finalise appointments
Generate the invoice and prepare for payment
Auto-pay invoices
Charge card on file 30 minutes after finalisation
Kiwi
Bichon Frisé · Full Groom (Large)
Pre-hold funds
Hold card on file 72 hours before appointment
Pre-authorise the card 72 hours before the appointment. A heads-up notification goes to the pet owner 74 hours before. Failed cards get flagged before the no-show happens.
Send a Secure Payment Link by SMS, Email or Copy Link. The pet owner taps it and pays on a Stripe-hosted page. No app, no login.
Hi Sarah, Pawfect Grooming has sent you a secure payment link for Full Groom, Nail Trim:
buy.stripe.com/7sI3fK9q2aB4
Amount: $120.00
(no-reply)
$120.00 · Full Groom (Large)
Stripe · 3 Apr
Kiwi
Pawfect Grooming · Tue 10:00am
Every Stripe payment is linked to its appointment in Petboost, and Stripe Bank Feeds carry your payments and payouts into Xero for your bookkeeper to reconcile.
A declined payment carries the reason from the bank in plain English, on the appointment and in the customer wallet. Insufficient funds, an expired card, a security code that did not match. The customer sees the same reason, written for them.
Payment & Card Activity
FilterToday
Payment successful
$54.00 charged to Visa •••• 4242
Card hold placed
$120.00 hold placed on Visa •••• 4242
Yesterday
Refund complete
$54.00 refunded to Visa •••• 4242
Payment declined
$54.00 declined on Visa •••• 4242
Why it declined
The card had insufficient funds. The client needs to top up or use a different card.
A booking your team creates can land with the deposit still due. Take it from the ribbon once they have a card, or send a card request when they do not. Online self-serve still takes the deposit at booking.
Issue Refund opens the refund sheet on a paid appointment. Pick Full Refund or Partial Refund, choose a reason, and decide whether the customer hears about it. The money goes back to the card it came from, through Stripe.
Refund payment
Refunds take 5-10 days to appear on a customer's statement. Stripe's fees for the original payment won't be returned, but there are no additional fees for the refund.
Refund Type
Amount
Maximum amount: $120.00
Reason
Notify customer?
Invoice
Give a cancellation fee back to the customer who paid it. Refund Cancellation Fee sits beside Issue Refund, asks you to confirm, and returns the full fee to the card it came off. Cash, bank and other are settled your own way, so they are not offered here.
Not everyone pays by card. Choose Cash, Bank Transfer or Other EFTPOS in the Payment Method block and the appointment is marked paid by that method, with the receipt emailed while Email the customer: booking updates is on. Cash, bank transfer and other EFTPOS work on every plan.
Payment Method
Sarah Chen
Paid invoices
Download invoicesPaid invoices download as a PDF from the owner profile in the business app and from the pet owner wallet.
Petboost Payments, secured by Stripe. Australian rates, automatic charging, and every payment tied to its booking.
Book → Pre-Auth → Complete → Auto-Charge, with Pre-hold funds and Auto-pay invoices on.
Saved securely via Stripe. Required before booking unless you allow booking without a card.
Branded invoices with your ABN, generated when the appointment is finalised.
Tap the link and pay on a secure Stripe page.
Hi Sarah, Pawfect Grooming has sent you a secure payment link for Full Groom:
buy.stripe.com/7sI3fK9q2aB4Amount: $85.00
Direct to Xero.
Send personalised, secure payment links directly to your customers' phones. Perfect for customers who prefer not to store their card on file, or when you want upfront payment before service.
Pay From the Link
Customers tap the link and pay by card on a secure Stripe page, no login needed
Higher Collection Rates
SMS payment links have significantly higher open and completion rates than email
Branded & Secure
Your business name appears on the payment page. Powered by Stripe with bank-level security.
Payment Link Fees
Send the link by Email or Copy Link instead and there is no SMS fee.
Pawfect Grooming
Hi Sarah, Pawfect Grooming has sent you a secure payment link for Full Groom:
https://buy.stripe.com/example
Amount: $90.00
(no-reply)
Just now
Ask Mia to tap their card
$85.00
Total Amount
Payment Complete
$85.00 has been successfully charged to Mia's card via the card reader.
For walk-ins and counter payments. Petboost sends the total to a Stripe smart reader, the Stripe Reader S700 for new readers, and records the payment on the booking.
Based on real usage data from pet businesses using Petboost.
Manual process
Fully automatic
A lot of businesses still do this out of habit, but under current ATO guidance it's genuinely more admin than necessary.
5 steps • 10+ min per sale
Manually in Xero/MYOB
Days or weeks...
Bank transfer or card
Find invoice, match to bank feed
If customer needs it
Unnecessary duplication: You end up duplicating the same information across systems for no real compliance benefit under current ATO guidance.
2 steps • 0 min admin
Card on file via Stripe
Clean data for your accountant
Need a receipt?
Available on-demand from Customer Portal
That's ~$400/week at $50/hr
These guidelines apply to Australian businesses registered for GST. Always consult with your accountant for advice specific to your situation.
These aren't trivial feature differences. They're architectural advantages that solve real customer pain points.
Automate as much or as little as you want, from booking to payment. With 50%+ of appointments self-service and 70%+ booked after hours, the admin looks after itself and your front desk stays calm. Customers book, confirm, pay, and get reminded without a single phone call.
Two modes for different workflows. Magic Availability Check handles availability-checked bookings with confidence. Quick Create gives you direct control to schedule without restrictions.
Get paid automatically with Auto-pay invoices. Built-in invoices branded with your logo, colours & ABN. Stripe Bank Feeds carry card payments into Xero for your bookkeeper to reconcile. We use Stripe under the hood to securely manage all payment processing.
Customers buy 10-walk bundles at 3am and redeem credits as they book. Lock in prepaid revenue.
Set precise limits for every kennel, play area, grooming station, and van, and online bookings never go past them.
Purpose-built for dog trainers. Not recurring appointments pretending to be courses.
Dozens of automated insights analyse your revenue, team, services, customers, and geography. Period-over-period comparisons, forecasting, and ready-to-use email templates.
The Petboost fee and the Stripe fee sit on separate lines, so you can see who charges what. Share this with your accountant.
| Payment Method | Petboost Fee | Stripe Processing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto-charge (card on file) | 1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex | 1.7% + $0.30 | Build into pricing |
| Payment link sent by SMS | 1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex, plus a small fixed SMS fee | 1.7% + $0.30 | Build into pricing |
| Payment link by Email or Copy Link | 1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex | 1.7% + $0.30 | No SMS fee. Build into pricing |
| Card reader (Stripe Reader S700) | 1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex | 1.7% + $0.10 | Build into pricing |
| External EFTPOS (SmartPay, Zeller, Square, etc.) | $0 | $0 | Record as paid in Petboost |
| Cash payment | $0 | $0 | Record as paid in Petboost |
| Bank transfer | $0 | $0 | Record as paid in Petboost |
Auto-charge (card on file)
Petboost
1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex
Stripe
1.7% + $0.30
Notes
Build into pricing
Payment link sent by SMS
Petboost
1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex, plus a small fixed SMS fee
Stripe
1.7% + $0.30
Notes
Build into pricing
Payment link by Email or Copy Link
Petboost
1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex
Stripe
1.7% + $0.30
Notes
No SMS fee. Build into pricing
Card reader (Stripe Reader S700)
Petboost
1.2% Max, 1.4% Pro and Flex
Stripe
1.7% + $0.10
Notes
Build into pricing
External EFTPOS (SmartPay, Zeller, Square, etc.)
Petboost
$0
Stripe
$0
Notes
Record as paid in Petboost
Cash payment
Petboost
$0
Stripe
$0
Notes
Record as paid in Petboost
Bank transfer
Petboost
$0
Stripe
$0
Notes
Record as paid in Petboost
Petboost booking fees are 1.2% on Max and 1.4% on Pro and Flex. When Petboost texts a payment link, a small fixed SMS fee is added to the booking fee on that payment; Email and Copy Link carry none. Stripe processing is a separate Stripe charge. View our accountant and advisor guide.
Card surcharging is banned in Australia from 1 October 2026 on eftpos, Visa and Mastercard debit, prepaid and credit cards. Most businesses build their processing costs into standard prices, so the customer sees one price with no surcharge line. Cash and bank transfer carry no processing fees. What the ban means for a pet business or read the RBA announcement.
$2.00
Stripe processing on a $100 groom
29
$90 card payments whose fees (Stripe plus the Pro booking fee) one saved no-show pays for
$0
setup fee, and no lock-in contract
Quick and Easy vs. Slow and Careful.
Charging a card on file happens automatically after service: no clicks from you. But processing a refund requires deliberate confirmation with clear amounts and reasons. We design payment flows with intent: instant where it saves time, careful where it protects money.
Trusted Industry Infrastructure
Powering businesses Australia-wide big & small
250+
pet businesses
400,000+
bookings processed
9
specialised business types
Shown at a regional level. Exact locations and counts are never disclosed.
"Built by people who actually walk into salons"
"I bought this salon in Brisbane at the start of the year with my wife Andi. I've run businesses for 35 years but never a grooming salon, so I inherited a team of groomers, a full client book & software I hadn't chosen. This salon had been through several systems over the years & nobody here had any appetite for doing it again. I was extremely reluctant. I'm very glad we did. What stands out is that Petboost is built by people who actually understand this industry. I asked them once how to handle a price rise & instead of just answering me they went & wrote a proper guide on it for the industry. When I showed them the whiteboard my team writes out & rubs off every day, they'd already seen the same board taped up in salons interstate. They moved our data properly, which is the part I dreaded most. Reception takes payment on the card reader at the counter against the booking, so nothing gets written down twice. The reporting is what changed how I run it. I can see which days are running over capacity & which aren't, & which parts of the menu are earning. That turned a decision about taking on another groomer from a gut feel into something I could actually look at. I've used a lot of software over 35 years. This is the best in its field in Australia."

Craig H
The Grooming Salon - QLD
"Up to 80 dogs a day, and we have stopped chasing payments"
"We're a doggy daycare and grooming salon on the Gold Coast and can have up to 80 dogs booked in on our busiest days with a team of around 10, so there's a lot happening at once. We changed over from Gingr in April and were definitely nervous about moving everything across, but it ended up being the easy part. They moved all of our customers, dogs, photos and information across and we were using the new system within about two weeks. Having cards on file has been one of our favourite changes because we're not constantly following up payments any more, and around 4 in 10 of our bookings are now made online, which takes a lot of pressure off the phone when we're busy with the dogs. Our regular daycare dogs already sit in the diary as recurring bookings, and in four months we've had almost no no-shows. We also really like that they're Australian. Being able to ask a question and actually get help from someone in our timezone makes a huge difference."

Suzi Pooch
Suzi Pooch Doggy Daycare & Dog Grooming - QLD
"Within just 2 days my calendar was up and running"
"Huge shout out to the team at Petboost. After months of wasting time and money trialling other software, dealing with endless setup issues and ongoing emails, I finally threw in the towel and gave Petboost a go. Within just 2 days, all of my client information had been transferred, services created, staff added, and my calendar was up and running. Every question I've had has been answered so quickly, and the support team has been incredible throughout the entire setup process. The software itself is so well thought out and easy to navigate. From appointments and invoicing to pet profiles, grooming notes, banking integration and automation, everything just works seamlessly. It already feels like it's saving me hours of admin, and I can't wait to keep customising it over the coming months. I'm genuinely impressed with how smooth the transition has been. If you're a pet business looking for new software, I'd absolutely recommend giving Petboost a look."
Meg O
Hounds with Hair - QLD
"Incredible support through a huge transition"
"We quickly outgrew our previous scheduling system, and Frazer was incredible in supporting us through what was a huge transition. Moving our entire business - 15 staff, 2 salons, 5 trailers, plus grooming, daycare, boarding, and behavioural training - was no small task. The level of support, training, and one-on-one guidance we received made all the difference. It allowed us to get up and running quickly and seamlessly, while continuing to operate the business throughout the transition. Our clients have also given great feedback - the online booking system is far easier to use than our previous one. We highly recommend Petboost to businesses of any size."


Melissa M
McKinnons Dogwash and Grooming - NSW
"Streamlined Booking with Exceptional Support"
"I really appreciate that Petboost Business is Australian, and the owners are very hands-on, striving to make the product the best possible for my business. It has drastically reduced my admin time compared to previous systems. I love the new two-way SMS feature and the live availability calendar. The system is intuitive and easy for both my clients and staff to use without the need for extensive training. If any issues arise, they're usually fixed the same day. They're constantly rolling out new features. Petboost Business also connects to Stripe and Xero, which is a big plus. Initial setup was incredibly easy since Frazer came to our business and set it up with me."

Conor
Dogs of Melbourne - VIC
"Switching to Petboost has been fantastic"
"Our whole process of switching from our old software to Petboost has been fantastic. Frazer has been incredibly supportive from day one, which made the changeover feel smooth and well guided. Now we can manage all our services easily in one place, and the ability to combine both daycare and grooming bookings has been especially helpful. Petboost is not only easy to use and logical, but the pricing is very competitive. It's also a big plus that it's Australian owned and operated. Streamlining communication between clients and the business, while also reducing admin time, has been amazing. It's made things feel much more organised and easier to manage day to day."

Annie
Houndz Paradise
"A game changer for our business"
"We've been using Petboost for Total Paws Dog Grooming and honestly, it's been a game changer for our business. The booking system is super easy for our clients to use, and it's taken a huge amount of back-and-forth out of scheduling. Everything is streamlined, professional, and just works the way you want it to. From reminders to managing appointments, it's saved us time every single day and helped us present a much more polished experience."

Total Paws Dog Grooming
Total Paws Dog Grooming
"Best in market software for Pet Care industries"
"Support is amazing and the software is the best on market for pet industries. I've worked in software and marketing prior to owning my own pet care business, and could tell immediately that Petboost was something unique. There is nothing I dislike about Petboost: the owner and developer, Frazer, is making constant improvements, so I'm sure any small areas of opportunity are being addressed. We needed a system to improve efficiency with scheduling, notifications, communication and customer experience, and Petboost delivers that."

Jonathon & Chris
Hollywoof Walks
"Switched from a US system after 6 years. Never looked back."
"You won't regret joining…it's the best. I own a dog daycare, grooming and training. I was using an American company for 6 years, which was ok but expensive, not a great system and to get any support took days. When I came to Petboost which is Aussie owned I knew they were a small business but wanted to give them a go. I have been extremely impressed, the customer service is out of this world, they focus on what animal businesses actually need and listen to their clients. The pricing structure makes sense and is very affordable, it is very easy to use and navigate, and the way they have built the business reports and analytics is so impressive, easy to understand and personalised."


Sacha
My Dogs Daycare - QLD
"The automatic payments feature is a blessing"
"Streamlined Invoicing and Booking for Small Teams. I really like how much quicker and easier Petboost Business has become after the upgrades. The automatic payments feature is a blessing as it helps me not to stress, and the self-booking option for clients is amazing for my business! These features ease the mental load and reduce manual admin tasks, allowing me to focus on what I do best."


Fion C
Fion's Dog Training - NSW
"Clear, Client-Friendly Booking Tool with Responsive Support"
"As a dog trainer it is difficult to find software that does all of the things that you need it to do. Petboost is tailored specifically to the animal industry having features that no other booking system I have used previously has. I have worked in the industry for a number of years in grooming, daycare & training & have always had to use a mish mash of a number of systems & trackers to book & collect money. For my training business this software does everything I need it to do so I don't have to keep track of a number of different aspects across various platforms. It has simplified my life immensely."

Liz D
Fetch & Focus - QLD
"I no longer have to chase clients for late payments"
"Petboost has truly been a saving grace! As a platform that's actually all-in-one, it has streamlined so much, saving me time and reducing costs. One of the biggest time-savers has been the automated invoicing feature. I no longer have to chase clients for late payments or spend hours preparing invoices manually."


Camille H
Trail Sniffers - NSW
"Zero missed payments. Zero no-shows."
"Just try it, you won't look back. The moment I turned Petboost on for my business, I never looked back. I haven't had a single missed payment or no-show. I no longer have to manually reconcile payments either. Now I can finally get time to do other things in my business instead of sitting in front of a screen for 'admin days'."


Annika L
Hound Health Bondi - NSW
"Foolproof, Easy-to-Use Booking with All the Accessories I Needed"
"Petboost is foolproof, easy to use, access and has all the accessories that I was seeking in an online booking platform. I genuinely love the AI Grazi, the talking dog - every time I need help locating or using a feature, Grazi helps me. I have used her to find invoices, change my reminder schedule and to locate appointments. Petboost provides a multi-purpose booking site for my small business. I needed a booking site that was accessible to clients and could allow me to load multiple locations for different days. The system provides reminders, uses both SMS and email, and has a card-on-file feature that holds funds securely. Essentially Petboost is making my job easier by doing the hard admin work for me."

Jade
Toof Petcare
Features that work together for predictable income.
Customers save a card with Stripe once; you charge it from the appointment, from Mission Control or automatically.
Learn moreText, email or copy a secure Stripe payment link. The appointment is marked Paid when the customer pays.
Learn moreHold the booking total on the card on file 72 hours before the appointment, so a declined card shows up early.
Learn moreCharge a partial deposit or the full booking total at booking, with per-service overrides and any payment method on staff bookings.
Learn moreCharge the card on file automatically once the invoice is finalised, with a receipt email while Email the customer: booking updates is on.
Learn moreItemised invoices on every appointment, receipt emails when paid (a switch in Notifications), and PDF downloads for you and your customers.
Learn moreSee why a card declined, tell the customer, and let them replace the card and retry from the pet owner app.
Learn moreEverything you need to know about Petboost payments.