Custom fields let you collect and store business-specific information on pet and pet owner profiles. Intake forms let you send structured questionnaires to clients before their appointments.
Both features are managed from the Fields & Forms page (/forms).
Custom Fields (Profile Fields)
Custom fields add extra data fields directly to pet or pet owner profiles. Pet values sit in a Pet details card on the pet Overview and on Fields & Forms. Owner values sit in an Owner details card on Pet & Owner Details and on Fields & Forms. On an appointment, filled values sit under Who & Details as their own cards, and in the Mission Control quick menu. Empty optional fields stay hidden on those cards. On a profile card, select Show empty fields to reveal them, or select the pencil to edit.
How to access
Navigate to Fields & Forms from the main menu, then select the Pet Owner Fields or Pet Fields tab.
Alternatively: Settings > Custom Fields (redirects to the same page).
Field Types
Type | Use Case |
Text | Short answers (allergies, preferred name, referral source) |
Textarea | Longer notes (special instructions, medical history) |
Number | Numeric values (weight goal, session count) |
Dropdown | Single choice from a predefined list (size category, temperament) |
Yes/No | Toggle questions (desexed, reactive, requires muzzle) |
Date | Date values (last vet visit, next vaccination due) |
Visibility Settings
Each field can be set to one of three visibility levels:
Staff Only - visible to your team in the business app, hidden from clients. Use for internal notes like "reactive - muzzle required" or "difficult pickup" that clients should not see.
Client Visible - clients can see the field value in their portal but cannot edit it. Use for information you want to share but control, such as "loyalty tier" or "allocated groomer".
Client Editable - clients can see and update the field value themselves. Use for information clients maintain, such as "preferred pickup time" or "emergency vet name".
Creating Custom Fields
Go to Fields & Forms > Pet Owner Fields or Pet Fields tab
Click the Add Field button
Enter a field name (this is the label shown on profiles)
Select a field type from the dropdown
Choose a visibility setting (Staff Only, Client Visible, or Client Editable)
Optionally mark the field as required
Add placeholder text or help text to guide staff or clients when filling in the value
For Dropdown fields, define the list of options (one per line)
Drag fields to reorder them in the display sequence
Click Save to apply the schema
Fields appear immediately on all matching profiles (pet or pet owner) once saved. Existing profiles show the new field with an empty value until someone fills it in.
Fields you have marked required for customers carry an amber hint on the staff pet and owner forms. Staff can still save a partial record while they are on the phone. The hint shows what a complete record looks like; it does not block the save.
Viewing and editing values
Custom field values appear in the Pet details or Owner details card on the matching profile tab. Staff can select the pencil in the card header to update values.
For fields set to Client Editable, pet owners can update the value from their portal. Changes sync immediately and are visible to staff on the next profile view.
Integration with Intake Forms
Form fields can be linked to custom field definitions. When a client submits a form with a linked field, the value automatically populates on their profile. This avoids duplicate data entry and keeps profiles up to date without manual intervention.
For example, if you have a custom field called "Emergency Vet" on pet owner profiles and your intake form asks for emergency vet details, linking the form field to the custom field means the answer flows directly to the profile on submission.
Intake Forms
Intake forms are structured questionnaires you can send to clients. They support sections, multiple field types, and per-service assignment.
How to Access
Navigate to Fields & Forms from the main menu. The Forms tab shows all your intake forms.
What Forms Can Do
Organise questions into named sections
Assign forms to specific services or all services
Set frequency: every appointment or once per client
Set When to collect: send after booking, or required before booking in self-serve checkout
Collect electronic signatures
Track submission status and completion rates
Form Field Types
Forms support 11 field types:
Type | Use Case |
Text | Short single-line answers |
Textarea | Longer notes |
Number | Numeric values |
Dropdown | Single choice from a list you define |
Yes/No | Toggle questions |
Date | Date values |
Signature | Electronic signatures for waivers or agreements |
Info Block | Read-only information or instructions within the form |
Multi Select | Multiple options from a list you define |
Street Address | Address with suburb lookup |
Time | Time of day |
Forms do not include file upload or a map location picker. Use the Paperwork tab on the customer profile for document uploads. There is no Phone or Email field type. Use Text for those.
Creating a Form
Go to Fields & Forms > Forms tab
Click Add Form
Give the form a name and optional description
Add sections to group related questions
Add fields to each section
Configure settings:
Link to specific services or apply to all
Set frequency (every appointment or once per client)
Set When to collect (send after booking, or required before booking)
Activate the form when ready
How Clients Complete Forms
Pet owners receive forms through their portal. Set When to collect to send after booking (SMS and email) or to require the form in self-serve checkout. Completed submissions are stored against the client's profile and accessible from the Fields & Forms tab.
Clients can also complete forms via a shareable link you send through any channel (WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, etc.).
Linking Forms to Custom Fields
Form fields can be linked to custom field definitions. When a client submits a form with a linked field, the value automatically populates on their profile. This avoids duplicate data entry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use custom fields without creating a full form?
Yes. Custom fields (Pet Owner Fields and Pet Fields) work independently of intake forms. Add fields to profiles and your team can fill them in manually without ever sending a form to the client.
What's the difference between custom fields and the Petprint tab?
The Petprint tab contains Petboost's built-in structured fields (coat colour, allergies, medications, temperament, microchip, insurance). Custom fields are additional fields you define yourself for business-specific information that Petprint doesn't cover.
Can forms include conditional logic?
No. Forms do not support conditional logic (if X, then show Y). All fields in a form are shown to the client. For questionnaires that must branch, use separate forms per use case, or a third-party form alongside Petboost (see Custom Forms and Advanced Form Needs).
Is there a limit on custom fields?
There is no hard limit on the number of custom fields or forms you can create.
Can I deactivate a form without deleting it?
Yes. Forms can be toggled between active and inactive. Inactive forms stop sending but retain all existing submissions and configuration. Re-activate at any time.
Related Articles
Intake Forms Guide - Step-by-step guide to creating and managing intake forms
Sending Forms to Clients - Auto-send, manual send, and shareable links
Form Responses - Viewing and managing form submissions
Linking Forms to Services - Connecting forms to specific services
Pet Attributes (Petprint) - Built-in structured pet data fields
Getting Started with Customers & Pets - Adding customers and pets
Managing Profiles - Editing pet and owner information
Custom Form Builder Alternatives - Options for conditional logic and complex forms
Last Updated: 14 September 2026