Choosing the right dog boarding software is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make as a facility owner. The right platform saves hours of admin every week, reduces booking errors, and gives clients the online experience they expect. The wrong one creates friction, causes data problems, and eventually gets abandoned.
This guide reviews the leading dog boarding software platforms for 2026 — covering features, pricing, strengths, and the facility types each is best suited for. We’ve evaluated each platform against the core functions boarding operators actually need: multi-day reservations, run/kennel management, feeding and medication tracking, client communication, and online booking.
What Makes Good Boarding Software?
Before diving into platform reviews, it’s worth defining what separates a genuinely useful boarding system from a generic booking tool with an animal twist.
Non-negotiable features for boarding:
- Multi-day reservation management — arrivals, departures, and accurate night counting
- Run and kennel assignment — visual availability display to prevent double-booking
- Feeding and care instructions — accessible to staff at feeding time, with completion logging
- Medication tracking — dosage, timing, administration records, and alerts for missed doses
- Vaccination tracking — automatic expiry alerts so no unboosted dog slips through
- Online client booking — self-service with real-time availability
- Automated reminders — pre-stay and post-stay communication without manual effort
- Invoicing and payment processing — including deposits at booking
Any platform that’s missing more than one of these is a compromise, not a solution.
Platform Reviews
Gingr — Best for Mid-to-Large Facilities
Starting price: From $99/month (US) | From £79/month (UK) Free trial: Yes (14 days) Mobile app: iOS and Android
Gingr is the most feature-complete boarding platform currently available. Its visual scheduling board is genuinely excellent — drag-and-drop kennel assignments, colour-coded stay status, and a clean overview of today’s arrivals and departures. For facilities managing 30+ runs, this clarity is transformational.
What Gingr does well:
The reservation system handles multi-day boarding with ease. Feeding and medication modules are thorough — staff see each dog’s care sheet with photo, instructions, and completion checkboxes. Client communication is strong, with automated SMS and email updates, daily report cards, and optional photo sharing.
Vaccination tracking includes automatic expiry alerts. The client portal allows owners to update pet records, view upcoming reservations, and pay invoices without calling the facility.
Where Gingr falls short:
Price is the primary barrier. At $99/month for the entry tier, it’s expensive for small facilities. The feature depth also means a steeper learning curve — expect 2–3 weeks before staff are fully comfortable, not 2–3 days. Customer support response times can be slow during peak periods.
Best for: Boarding and daycare combined facilities, 30–150 runs, operations with multiple staff members who need clear task assignments.
PetExec — Best for Established US Kennels
Starting price: From $69/month Free trial: Yes (30 days) Mobile app: iOS and Android
PetExec is a long-established player with deep boarding functionality. It handles the full boarding workflow confidently — reservations, kennel management, feeding logs, medication records, and invoicing. POS integration makes it a good choice for facilities that also sell retail products (food, treats, accessories).
What PetExec does well:
Medication tracking is among the best in class — detailed logging with alerts and audit trails, important for liability protection. Staff permissions are granular, so you can control exactly what each team member can view and edit. The reporting suite is comprehensive for revenue analysis, occupancy tracking, and vaccination compliance.
Where PetExec falls short:
The interface looks dated compared to newer competitors. The mobile experience is functional but not as polished as Gingr or ProPet. Some users report that certain configuration changes require contacting support rather than self-serving.
Best for: Established US kennels with retail operations, 20–80 runs, facilities that prioritise data security and detailed reporting.
ProPet — Best Value for Mid-Size Facilities
Starting price: From $50/month Free trial: Yes (14 days) Mobile app: iOS and Android
ProPet offers a strong balance of features and affordability. It handles boarding and daycare in one system, which is valuable for facilities offering both services under one roof. The interface is clean and modern, and new staff typically become comfortable faster than with Gingr or PetExec.
What ProPet does well:
Online booking is slick — the client-facing experience is one of the best available, with clear accommodation type selection, add-on choices, and smooth deposit payment. Combined boarding-and-daycare billing is well-handled, which matters if dogs board and then stay for daycare during the day. Strong in the Canadian and UK markets alongside US.
Where ProPet falls short:
Run management lacks the visual sophistication of Gingr’s scheduling board. Feeding and medication tracking is solid but not as detailed as PetExec for complex care needs. Some advanced reporting features require the higher-priced tiers.
Best for: Facilities offering boarding + daycare combined, 15–60 runs, owner-operators who value ease of use and a good client experience.
Kennel Booker — Best for UK Small Facilities
Starting price: From £35/month Free trial: Yes (14 days) Mobile app: Web-based (mobile-optimised)
Kennel Booker is purpose-built for the UK market and is among the most accessible platforms for independent operators. The interface is clean and intuitive. Setup is straightforward — most facilities are taking real bookings within 48 hours of starting a trial.
What Kennel Booker does well:
Pricing is the most accessible of any full-featured platform. For a small UK facility (under 20 runs), the entry tier covers all essential boarding functions at a genuinely affordable monthly cost. The booking flow is simple and familiar for UK clients. Customer support is responsive — a meaningful differentiator for smaller operations that can’t afford to be stuck troubleshooting.
Where Kennel Booker falls short:
Feeding and medication tracking is more basic than US competitors. The reporting suite is limited compared to Gingr or PetExec. Customisation options are narrower, which matters if your service model is complex.
Best for: Independent UK kennels and cattery/boarding combinations, under 25 runs, operators who want a fast setup and straightforward ongoing management.
PetLinx — Best for Budget-Conscious Small Facilities
Starting price: From $29/month Free trial: Yes (30-day trial) Mobile app: Web-based
PetLinx offers the lowest entry price of any platform with a complete boarding feature set. It’s a desktop-first system that handles core boarding functions competently — reservations, vaccination tracking, basic feeding records, and invoicing.
What PetLinx does well:
Value for money is unmatched in this price bracket. Core boarding functions work reliably. The system has been in market for many years and is stable. Good for small operations that need the fundamentals without complexity.
Where PetLinx falls short:
The mobile experience is web-based and noticeably less polished than native apps. Medication tracking is basic. The client booking portal is functional but dated compared to newer competitors. Integration with payment processors and external tools is more limited.
Best for: Very small US boarding operations (under 15 runs), solo operators, facilities on the tightest budgets where core function matters more than polish.
Kennel Connection — Best for Traditional Large Kennels
Starting price: From $65/month Free trial: Demo available (not full self-serve trial) Mobile app: Limited (desktop-focused)
Kennel Connection is the longest-established name in boarding software and has deep functionality built up over decades. Large traditional kennels — 50+ runs, multiple service lines, complex operational requirements — often find it the most capable platform for their needs.
What Kennel Connection does well:
Depth of boarding-specific functionality is unmatched. Multi-location support is strong. The platform handles complex configurations (multiple accommodation types, species mixing, staff scheduling overlays) that newer platforms may not. Long-standing customers have significant institutional loyalty and data history.
Where Kennel Connection falls short:
The interface is dated and requires more training investment than modern alternatives. The mobile experience is notably weaker than competitors. Onboarding support is less accessible than Gingr or ProPet. It’s not the right choice for facilities that prioritise modern client experience.
Best for: Large traditional kennels (50+ runs), multi-location operations, established businesses with complex operational requirements.
Platform Comparison Summary
| Platform | Best For | Starting Price | Free Trial | Mobile | Feeding Tracking | Run Management |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gingr | Mid-large boarding + daycare | $99/mo | ✓ | Native app | Excellent | Visual board |
| PetExec | Established US kennels | $69/mo | ✓ | Native app | Excellent | Yes |
| ProPet | Mid-size, boarding + daycare | $50/mo | ✓ | Native app | Good | Good |
| Kennel Booker | UK small-medium kennels | £35/mo | ✓ | Web | Basic | Yes |
| PetLinx | Budget, small US facilities | $29/mo | ✓ | Web | Basic | Yes |
| Kennel Connection | Large traditional kennels | $65/mo | Demo | Limited | Good | Yes |
Pricing verified March 2026. Confirm current rates directly with vendors.
How to Choose: Decision Framework
Step 1: Define Your Non-Negotiables
List the features you absolutely cannot operate without. Common must-haves:
- Online client booking
- Vaccination tracking with expiry alerts
- Multi-day reservation management
- Staff mobile access
Any platform missing your non-negotiables is eliminated regardless of price.
Step 2: Match to Facility Size
- Under 15 runs: PetLinx or Kennel Booker (UK)
- 15–30 runs: ProPet, Kennel Booker, or Gingr entry
- 30–60 runs: Gingr or PetExec
- 60+ runs or multi-location: Gingr enterprise or Kennel Connection
Step 3: Trial Properly
A free trial means nothing if you test it superficially. During your trial:
- Enter real client data (at least 10 pets)
- Process 5 real bookings through the full workflow
- Have your busiest staff member use it independently
- Call or message support with a real question
- Complete a mock check-in and check-out
Only a proper trial reveals whether the software fits your workflow.
Step 4: Calculate Your Break-Even
Most facilities recover the cost of boarding software within the first month through time savings and no-show reduction alone. For a 20-run facility spending 12 hours/week on manual admin:
- At £15/hour, that’s £720/month in admin cost
- Even the most expensive platform (Gingr at $99) costs a fraction of that
- Eliminating 2 no-shows per month at £40/night adds another £80
The question isn’t whether software pays — it does. The question is which platform pays most for your specific operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which boarding software is best for a UK kennel?
For UK facilities, Kennel Booker is the most accessible entry point. For facilities with 25+ runs or boarding plus daycare, ProPet or Gingr offer more capability. All three are actively used in the UK and support British pricing formats.
Can I switch platforms once I’ve started?
Yes, but it involves data migration effort and a learning curve for staff. Choose carefully upfront — check that your chosen platform allows full data export before committing.
Do I need separate software for boarding and daycare?
No. Most modern platforms handle both in one system. Unified client records, combined billing, and coordinated scheduling are significantly more efficient than separate systems.
What’s the minimum facility size where software makes sense?
If you’re taking more than 10 boarding reservations per week, software is worth it. Below that, the admin burden may be manageable manually — but you’ll likely hit that threshold faster than you expect.
