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Customers & Pets FAQ

Updated today

Customers & Pets FAQ

Find answers to common questions about managing customers and pets in your business system.

General Questions

Can I create just a customer without a pet?

No, the system is pet-centric and requires creating both customer and pet together. This design ensures all customer records are linked to the pets they own, maintaining accurate service relationships.

How do I add a second pet for an existing customer?

Open any pet profile for that customer, then click the "New Pet" button in the Appointments tab header. The owner's information will auto-populate, and you only need to add the new pet's details.

What's the difference between "Pet Parent" and other relationships?

"Pet Parent" is the default relationship type indicating the primary owner. All customers created through the Customers & Pets module are automatically designated as Pet Parents.

Can one pet have multiple owners?

No, each pet is linked to one primary owner (Pet Parent). If multiple people share ownership, designate one as the primary owner and add others as emergency contacts or additional contacts.

How do I handle customers who board multiple pets but only own one?

For pets the customer is boarding but doesn't own, create separate customer and pet records for the actual owners. Then manage boarding appointments accordingly through those pets' profiles.


Creating and Editing

What information is required to create a customer?

Required Fields:

  • Owner First Name

  • Owner Surname

  • Owner Phone Number

  • Pet Name

  • Pet Breed

  • Pet Gender

All other fields are optional but recommended for complete records.

Can I edit customer or pet information after creation?

Yes, all information can be edited at any time:

  • Click the edit icon next to the owner's name to update owner details

  • Click the edit icon next to the pet's name to update pet information

  • Changes are saved immediately and apply across all related records

How do I change a pet's breed if I selected the wrong one?

  1. Open the pet's profile

  2. Click the edit icon next to the pet's name

  3. Select the correct breed from the dropdown

  4. Click Save

Can I change a pet's birthday after I've entered it?

Yes, open the pet's profile, click edit next to the pet's name, update the birthday field, and save. The new birthday will immediately reflect in the system and age calculations.

What happens if I enter the wrong gender?

Click the edit icon next to the pet's name, select the correct gender, and save. The change applies immediately across all records and reports.


Searching and Finding

Why can't I find a customer I know exists?

Common Issues:

  • Searching by nickname instead of registered name

  • Misspelled names or phone numbers

  • Pet registered under different owner's name

  • Customer marked as inactive

  • Searching with different phone format than stored

Solutions:

  • Try partial name searches ("Choc" for "Chocolate")

  • Search by phone number or email instead

  • Check with team members for alternative spellings

  • Use the filter to show all animals types

How do I find all pets belonging to one owner?

  1. Open any pet profile for that owner

  2. Scroll to the Family Pets section in the left sidebar

  3. You'll see all pets linked to that owner

  4. Click any pet card to view that pet's profile

Can I search by phone number or email?

Yes, the search bar finds customers by:

  • Pet name

  • Owner name

  • Phone number (with or without formatting)

  • Email address

Just type the information into the search bar and results appear instantly.

Why don't filters show the customers I'm looking for?

Filters narrow results based on specific criteria. If you have both search terms and filters active, you're seeing the intersection of both. Click Reset to clear all search and filter criteria, then try again.


Photos and Media

What's the best format for pet photos?

Recommended:

  • Format: JPG or PNG

  • Aspect ratio: Square (1:1)

  • Minimum size: 500x500 pixels

  • File size: Under 5MB

  • Quality: Clear, well-lit, facing camera

Why won't my photo upload?

Common Issues:

  • File too large (over 5MB)

  • Unsupported format (use JPG or PNG)

  • Poor internet connection

  • Browser cache issues

Solutions:

  • Resize or compress the image

  • Convert to JPG or PNG

  • Check your internet connection

  • Try a different browser or clear cache

  • Contact support if issues persist

How many photos can I upload per pet?

  • 1 Profile Photo - Displayed in the sidebar and list view

  • Multiple Grooming Photos - Reference photos in the Grooming Preferences tab

  • Multiple Vaccination Certificates - No limit in the Vaccinations tab

Can I delete or replace a photo?

Yes:

  • Profile Photo: Click "Edit Photo," then choose "Remove Photo" or upload a replacement

  • Grooming Photos: Edit the grooming preferences section to remove photos

  • Vaccination Photos: Delete certificates and upload new ones


Health Records

Do I have to upload vaccination certificates?

While not required, uploading vaccination certificates is strongly recommended for:

  • Compliance with boarding/grooming requirements

  • Quick access during emergencies

  • Tracking expiration dates

  • Proof of vaccination when needed

How do I know when vaccinations are expiring?

Petboost shows vaccination status in the sidebar:

  • "Current" - All vaccinations up to date

  • "Expiring Soon" - Renewal needed within 30 days

  • "Expired" - Vaccination has expired

  • "No certificates" - None uploaded yet

Set reminders to check statuses monthly and contact owners proactively.

Can I track medications in the system?

Use the Quick Notes section to document current medications. Include:

  • Medication name and dosage

  • Frequency and timing

  • Purpose/condition being treated

  • Any special administration instructions

For detailed medical history, track in vaccination or health attributes sections.

What if a customer doesn't have vaccination records?

Document the situation in Quick Notes and request that customers:

  1. Contact their veterinarian for copies

  2. Bring records to their next appointment

  3. Update records after their next vet visit

You can still provide services, but note the missing records in the pet's profile.

How do I update a pet's weight?

  1. Open the pet's profile

  2. Click the weight card in the sidebar

  3. Enter the new weight measurement

  4. Petboost timestamps the update automatically

Update weight at every visit for accurate tracking.


Service History

Why don't I see appointments in the Appointments tab?

Possible Reasons:

  • No appointments have been booked yet

  • Appointments booked under different pet/customer

  • System data sync delay (wait a few moments and refresh)

If appointments should be there but aren't visible, contact support.

How do I view appointment history?

Open the pet's profile and go to the Appointments tab. You'll see:

  • All past appointments (with dates and details)

  • Upcoming scheduled appointments

  • Appointment status and notes

Can I edit past appointment details?

Appointment details are typically locked after completion to maintain accurate history. If you need to correct information, contact support with specific details about what needs changing and why.

Where do I see what packages a customer has purchased?

Go to the Packages tab in the pet's profile. You'll see:

  • All purchased packages

  • Remaining credits

  • Expiration dates

  • Purchase history

How do I track if package credits are running low?

The Packages tab shows remaining credits for each package. Set up your own reminders to:

  • Check before booking appointments

  • Contact customers when credits are under 3

  • Offer renewal before packages expire


Grooming Preferences

Do I have to fill out grooming preferences?

Grooming preferences are optional but highly recommended when:

  • Customers have specific style requirements

  • You want consistent results across team members

  • Pets have special handling needs

  • You're tracking reference photos for complex styles

Can I add photos to grooming preferences?

Yes, you can upload multiple reference photos in the Grooming Preferences tab for:

  • Head and face styles

  • Body and tail length/style

  • Feet and leg trim

  • Any specific angles or details

Photos eliminate miscommunication and ensure consistency.

How do I copy grooming preferences to another pet?

Grooming preferences are pet-specific and must be entered separately for each pet. However, you can:

  • Open one pet's profile and take screenshots of preferences

  • Reference those while setting up the sibling's preferences

  • Copy and paste text notes between pets

What if grooming preferences conflict with Quick Notes?

Grooming preferences are more detailed and service-specific, while Quick Notes cover general care. If there's a conflict:

  1. Verify with the customer which is correct

  2. Update both sections to match

  3. Note any changes in appointment records


Payment and Billing

How do I update a customer's card on file?

  1. Open any pet profile for that customer

  2. Click the edit icon next to the owner's name

  3. Update payment card information

  4. Save changes

The updated card applies to all pets owned by that customer.

What does "Card on file" mean?

A "Card on file" indicates the customer has securely stored a payment method in the system. This allows:

  • Faster checkout after services

  • Automatic payment processing (if enabled)

  • Reduced no-shows (when card is charged for cancellations)

Can I see transaction history for a customer?

Yes, go to the Sales tab in any pet's profile to see:

  • All product and service purchases

  • Payment amounts and dates

  • Transaction methods

  • Purchase history

What if a customer's card expires?

Petboost shows expiration dates on stored cards. When a card is expiring:

  1. Contact the customer proactively

  2. Request updated card information

  3. Update the payment method in their profile

  4. Verify the new card is processing correctly


Emergency Contacts

Why should I collect emergency contact information?

Emergency contacts are critical when:

  • You can't reach the primary customer

  • Pet has a medical emergency during service

  • Customer is late for pickup

  • Urgent decisions need to be made

Always collect at least one emergency contact for every customer.

Can the emergency contact be the same person as the customer?

No, the purpose of an emergency contact is to reach someone when the customer is unavailable. Collect a different person's information, such as:

  • Spouse or partner

  • Family member

  • Close friend

  • Co-worker

How do I update emergency contact information?

  1. Click the edit icon next to the owner's name

  2. Update emergency contact details

  3. Save changes

Changes apply immediately to all pets owned by that customer.


Family Pets and Multiple Pets

How does the Family Pets feature work?

The Family Pets section automatically shows all pets linked to the same owner. It:

  • Displays on every pet's profile

  • Shows total number of pets

  • Allows quick navigation between siblings

  • Highlights which pet profile you're currently viewing

Can I link pets together without the same owner?

No, pets are linked through shared ownership. The Family Pets feature only shows pets belonging to the same Pet Parent.

What if I accidentally created separate owners for the same person's pets?

Contact support to merge the duplicate owner records. This will:

  • Combine all pets under one owner

  • Preserve all appointment history

  • Merge contact information

  • Link all pets as family

Do not attempt to manually merge by deleting and recreating records.

Can I unlink pets from an owner?

Pets must be linked to an owner. To transfer a pet to a different owner:

  1. Create the new owner's profile (if not existing)

  2. Contact support to transfer the pet

  3. All appointment and service history will transfer with the pet


Privacy and Access

Who can see customer information?

All team members with system access can view customer and pet profiles. Train your team on:

  • Privacy requirements

  • Professional use of information

  • Confidentiality standards

  • Appropriate conversations about customers

Can customers access their own pet profiles?

Customer portal access depends on your business settings. Check with your administrator about customer-facing features and what information customers can view or edit themselves.

How do I delete a customer record?

Important: Don't delete customer records. Instead:

  • Mark customers as inactive if they haven't visited in 12+ months

  • Preserve service history for legal and business purposes

  • Contact support if you must remove a record

If a customer requests data deletion (right to be forgotten), contact support for proper procedures.

Can I export customer data?

Reporting and export features depend on your system permissions. Contact your administrator or support about exporting customer lists, contact information, or service histories.


Technical Issues

Petboost is running slowly when I search. Why?

Common Causes:

  • Large customer records (thousands of entries)

  • Poor internet connection

  • Browser cache issues

  • Multiple tabs open

Solutions:

  • Use specific search terms to narrow results

  • Check your internet connection

  • Clear browser cache and cookies

  • Close unused browser tabs

  • Contact support if issues persist

Why don't my changes save?

Common Issues:

  • Poor internet connection during save

  • Browser timeout

  • Form validation errors

  • System permissions

Solutions:

  • Check for error messages on screen

  • Verify internet connection is stable

  • Ensure all required fields are filled

  • Try logging out and back in

  • Contact support if problem continues

Photos aren't displaying correctly. What should I do?

Troubleshooting Steps:

  1. Refresh the page (Ctrl+R or Cmd+R)

  2. Clear browser cache

  3. Try a different browser

  4. Check if the image file was corrupted during upload

  5. Re-upload the photo

If photos consistently fail to display, contact support with specific examples.

I can't edit a customer's information. Why?

Possible Reasons:

  • Your user role doesn't have edit permissions

  • The customer record is locked (rare)

  • System timeout occurred

  • Browser issues

Solutions:

  • Check with your administrator about permissions

  • Log out and back in

  • Try a different browser

  • Contact support if access should be granted


Still Have Questions?

If your question isn't answered here:

  1. Search the Knowledge Base - Use the search function for specific topics

  2. Contact Support - Click "Get Help" in your dashboard

  3. Ask Your Team - Colleagues may have encountered similar questions

  4. Request Training - Schedule additional training sessions if needed


Related Articles

Getting Started with Customers & Pets - Complete setup guide for adding customers

Managing Customer Profiles - Edit customer and pet information, photos, and notes


Need help? Contact support or click the "Get Help" button in your dashboard to chat with our team.

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