The 3-Second Version
Pets at a Time = How many pets at the SAME TIME, not per day.
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│ ✓ What Capacity Means ✗ Not This ││ ───────────────────── ───────── ││ 3 dogs AT ANY MOMENT → 3 dogs per day ││ "I have 3 tables" → "I only do 3" ││ Simultaneous bookings → Daily limit │└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Quick Setup (2 Minutes)
Step 1: Open Your Resource
Navigate to Resources → Click your resource → Capacity tab
Step 2: Set Your Pets at a Time
Ask yourself: "How many pets can physically use this resource at the same time?"
Resource Type | Question to Ask | Typical Capacity |
Grooming table | How many tables? | 1 per table |
Play area | How many dogs fit safely? | 8-15 |
Kennel suite | How many beds? | 1-2 |
Mobile van | How many crates? | 4-6 |
Training room | Private or group? | 1 or 6-10 |
Step 3: Save
Click Save Changes. Done!
This Is For You If...
✓ You have a physical space with a real limit
✓ You want to prevent overbooking automatically
✓ You serve multiple pets at once (daycare, group classes)
✓ You have equipment that limits throughput (tables, crates)
How Capacity Works (Visual)
Example: 3 Grooming Tables
Resource: Grooming RoomPets at a Time: 3 (one dog per table)WHAT THIS ALLOWS:Time Table 1 Table 2 Table 3───────── ───────── ───────── ─────────9:00 AM 🐕 Max 🐕 Bella 🐕 Duke ← 3 at once ✓10:30 AM 🐕 Rocky 🐕 Luna [empty] ← 2 at once ✓12:00 PM 🐕 Charlie 🐕 Sadie 🐕 Cooper ← 3 at once ✓TOTAL DOGS TODAY: 8 (not limited to 3!)
Key insight: Capacity of 3 means 3 at any moment. Throughout the day, you can serve many more.
Common Scenarios
Scenario 1: Solo Groomer
Your setup:
1 grooming table
You work alone
Your capacity: 1
Result: System ensures only 1 dog at a time. No double-bookings.
Scenario 2: Daycare Play Area
Your setup:
Small dog area (fits 8 safely)
Large dog area (fits 12 safely)
Your capacity:
Small Dog Area → 8
Large Dog Area → 12
Result: Each area tracked separately. Never exceed safe limits.
Scenario 3: Mobile Grooming Van
Your setup:
Van holds 1 dog at a time for grooming
Can transport 4 dogs between locations
Your capacity: 1 (for the grooming service)
Result: Only 1 appointment at a time per van.
Capacity + Sessions = Complete Control
Capacity works within your sessions. This gives you granular control:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐│ SCHEDULE: Monday 9am-5pm ││ ││ SESSION 1: Morning (9am-12pm) SESSION 2: Afternoon (1-5pm)││ ├─ Capacity: 3 dogs ├─ Capacity: 4 dogs ││ └─ Large breeds only └─ All sizes │└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
Why this matters:
Morning: Handle 3 big dogs when you're fresh
Afternoon: Handle 4 smaller dogs when it's busier
System enforces both automatically
👉 Learn more: Scheduling Fundamentals
Mixed-Size Capacity (Advanced)
Some businesses need to account for dog size in capacity calculations.
The Problem
A Great Dane takes more space than a Chihuahua. Simple headcount doesn't work.
The Solution: Spots Used (Mixed-Size Capacity)
Each service can use a different number of spots:
Service | Spots Used |
Large Dog Daycare | 2 spots |
Small Dog Daycare | 1 spot |
Spots used takes whole numbers only.
Resource total capacity: 10
What you can fit:
10 small dogs (10 × 1 = 10) OR
5 large dogs (5 × 2 = 10) OR
3 large + 4 small (3×2 + 4×1 = 10)
How to Set This Up
Resources → Create your resource with total capacity (e.g., 10)
Services → Edit each service → Team & Resources → Advanced options → Places Used Per Booking → Spots used
Assign the resource to all relevant services
The system handles the math automatically.
Real-Time Visibility
Your calendar shows capacity status at a glance:
Colour | Meaning | Action |
🟢 Green | Plenty available | Good to book more |
🟡 Yellow | Filling up | A few spots left |
🔴 Red | At capacity | No more bookings possible |
Automatic Overbooking Prevention
When customers book online:
System checks resource capacity for requested time
If at capacity → Time slot hidden from customer
Customer only sees available slots
No manual checking required
Result: Zero overbookings. Ever.
Quick Reference: Where to Configure
What You Want | Where to Go |
Set resource capacity | Resources → [Resource] → Capacity Tab |
Set spots used per service | Services → [Service] → Team & Resources |
See capacity status | Mission Control or Calendar |
Override capacity temporarily | Session editor → Pets at a time (this session) |
Troubleshooting
"Customers can still book when I'm at capacity"
Check:
Is the resource assigned to the service?
Is the resource capacity set (not 0)?
Is the session capacity override interfering?
Fix: Resources → [Resource] → Verify capacity is correct
"I need different capacity at different times"
Solution: Use sessions with capacity overrides.
Schedules & Sessions → Edit your entity
Create sessions for different time blocks
Set capacity per session
"I want to temporarily increase capacity"
Solution: Use special dates for specific date ranges.
Schedules & Sessions → Edit your entity
Add special dates for the date range
Set the temporary capacity
FAQ
How is this different from "daily appointment limits"?
Daily limits: "Max 10 appointments today"
Pets at a time: "Max 3 dogs at any moment"
Pets at a time is smarter. You could have 20 appointments per day, as long as only 3 are happening at the same time.
Can different resources have different capacities?
Yes! Each resource has its own capacity. Your Small Dog Area might be 8, while your Large Dog Area is 6.
What happens if I manually override capacity?
To book past capacity, turn off Magic Availability Check when you create the appointment and set the times yourself. Petboost shows a warning, for example Fully booked at this time, then creates the appointment without an availability check. It does not ask you to confirm.
Related Guides
Scheduling Fundamentals - How Schedule + Sessions + Capacity work together
Working Hours & Blocked Times - Set when resources are available
Service-Resource Assignment - Connect services to resources
Need help? Click the chat icon in the bottom-right corner or email [email protected]