Precise Petcare Features

It would be helpful to be able to save drafts of incomplete messages to be sent later. Scheduling for a later time leaves them open for possibly being sent without having been completed.

#40754 Behavior based feature modifier Add Note Elizabeth Pasek, reported 2 months ago I’d like to submit a feature request for practices that use Fear Free or behavior-based care models, particularly cat sitting teams. It would be very helpful to add a behavior modifier within the visit workflow that allows the sitter to record the pet’s Fear, Anxiety, and Stress level using a 1 to 5 scale. In Fear Free, this scale is commonly used to help track a pet’s emotional state and guide handling decisions. A particularly valuable enhancement would be a visual alert tied to that score. If a sitter marks the pet as a 3, 4, or 5, the visit screen could automatically turn red on both the sitter side and the admin/manager side. That would create an immediate visual signal that the case may need reassessment, follow-up, or a change in visit protocols. For larger teams, this would help managers quickly identify pets whose care plan may no longer be appropriate as written. It would also support better communication, earlier intervention, and safer handling for both pets and sitters. In short, this feature could function as an internal escalation tool for behavioral risk and welfare concerns, rather than leaving that information buried in visit notes.

COMING SOON TO PPC LABS We're introducing an improved Client Onboarding & Information Experience , focused on making it easier for clients to complete and manage their information. This update builds on section-based forms and introduces guided onboarding, clearer structure, and section-based saving . The service request flow on the My Schedule page is not changed as part of this update; however we will likely improve that in a future update. What's Changing Guided onboarding flow Clients are guided step-by-step through Profile → Pets → Forms → Billing → Request, with a clear sense of what to do next. More focused experience During onboarding, the interface is simplified and the menu is collapsed by default to reduce distractions and keep clients on track. Section-based saving (Profile & Pets) Clients can now save individual sections instead of completing the entire form at once. Clear progress and requirements It's more obvious what's required, what's complete, and what still needs attention. Improved pet management Adding and managing pets is more structured and easier to follow. After Onboarding The same structure carries into normal use: Clients update information using the same section-based layout No need to relearn the interface after onboarding Changes can be made without completing everything at once Why This Matters More focused and less overwhelming for new clients Fewer clicks and less confusion about what to do next Easier to complete information over time More consistent experience across onboarding and everyday use

For the surcharge, Can we add under frequency one time only and not just per day or per visit? I have a late booking fee but it is once for the whole trip.

Update: Automations Now Support Client Lifecycle Triggers Automations have been expanded beyond event-based triggers to now include Client Lifecycle . You can now create automations based on client behavior over time (for example, clients who haven't booked, have no upcoming visits, or have become inactive), in addition to traditional event-based triggers like visits or birthdays. This introduces a second type of automation: Event-based → triggered by a specific action Lifecycle-based → triggered when a client meets defined criteria These work together, allowing Automations to handle both real-time events and ongoing client engagement. Original Post We're introducing a set of updates that make your work faster, more personal, and more consistent. At the center is Automations , a new way to automatically send communications based on real events in your business. Alongside that, Responses and the new Personalize button expand what's possible anywhere you're using the editor. Together, these features help you save time while still keeping your communication meaningful. Responses What were once called Canned Responses are now simply Responses . They've moved out of the Messages page and into their own location under Operations > Responses , giving them a clear home and making them easier to manage. You can still insert them anywhere you're writing with the "Responses" dropdown in the editor, so you always have quick access to your most common phrases and templates. Personalize The editor now has a Personalize button that lets you drop in placeholders for the recipient's First Name or Full Name . When the message is sent, those placeholders automatically become the client's or staff member's real name. This works across the system wherever you're writing --- from individual emails to staff announcements, to automations themselves. It's a small feature that makes every message feel like it was written just for the recipient. Automations Automations let you schedule messages that go out automatically in response to events. You can set up reminders tied to any visit, notifications at the start or end of a group of visits, or celebratory messages for pet birthdays and birth months. You can also create a welcome message when a client has their very first visit. When composing an automation, you write the subject and body in the same editor you already know. Automations also support an CTA Text and CTA Link , which adds a Call to Action at the bottom of each email. Visit-based automations sent before visits take place will include a list of those scheduled visits. How to Use Go to Communication > Automations and create a new automation. Choose the event you want to trigger it (such as "Any Visit" or "Pet Birthday"). Write your message in the editor, using Responses and Personalize if you like. Your automation will now run automatically whenever the event occurs, keeping your communication timely and consistent without adding to your workload.

We're introducing a new Client Lifecycle system into PPC Labs that helps businesses better understand where each client stands - and take action automatically when follow-up is needed. This includes two connected areas: Client Insights : classifies clients based on recent activity, booking history, spend, and risk signals Lifecycle Automations : sends automated messages when specific client lifecycle conditions are met Client Insights The new Profiles > Client Insights page organizes clients into lifecycle categories: Prospect New Established Watchlist Lapsed Returned Each client is also analyzed using behavior patterns such as routine, occasional, seasonal, first booking, or no history. The Insights table includes key details like: Last and next scheduled service Completed services Lifetime spend Outstanding balance Last engagement Last contacted Risk / reason This gives businesses a clearer way to identify clients who may need follow-up, rebooking, payment attention, or retention outreach. You can customize how clients are classified using the Client Insights Settings , adjusting the thresholds that define behavior patterns, lifecycle stages, and how quickly clients move to Watchlist or Lapsed status. You can send Messages directly from this page, or utilize the Automations to have the system do it for you. Lifecycle Automations We've also added a new Lifecycle Conditions tab to the Communication > Automations page. Unlike event-based automations , which trigger around specific events like visits or payments, lifecycle automations trigger when a client matches a condition for a defined period of time. Available conditions include: New Client Not Booked : Follow up when a new client signed up but has not scheduled service. Needs Second Booking : Follow up after a client's first completed booking if they have nothing upcoming. No Upcoming Services : Follow up with clients who have completed service but do not have anything scheduled. Lapsed Client : Reach out after a longer gap since the client's last completed service. High Value Watchlist : Follow up with high-value clients who have no upcoming services. Each condition includes timing controls and a rule preview so you can see exactly when the automation will send. Why This Matters This helps businesses move from manually checking client activity to proactively managing client relationships. Use cases include: Converting new signups into first bookings Encouraging second bookings Re-engaging clients with no upcoming services Following up with lapsed clients Prioritizing high-value clients before they drift away

It would be helpful if we were able to allow/disable the AI journal feature for individual sitters as opposed to all or none

A link to gratuity page after a payment has been submitted. Would love to even be able to automate: i.e. after a service, trigger an automation to go out saying something like “If you feel your service was exceptional and would like to leave a tip" with the gratuity link.

I also wanted to share some feedback on how we’ve been using the add-ons feature and a potential improvement that could make things clearer for both us and our clients. For years, we’ve used the add-on feature a bit differently than its intended purpose. Instead of using it for extra charges (like poop pickup, etc.), we use it to list pet care tasks that clients can check off when submitting a service request. This allows them to customize each visit and clearly communicate what they’d like completed. Our services are structured as time-based visits (20, 30, 45, 60 minutes), so the visit itself is essentially a “blank canvas.” The add-ons are what give that visit structure by letting clients select specific tasks (feeding, meds, walk type, etc.). The challenge is that the term “add-ons” can be confusing, as it implies an additional cost — which isn’t the case for us. These are simply included care instructions, not upgrades. Without these checkable items, it can sometimes be unclear what should be done during a visit, even with pet profiles filled out. A couple ideas that could really improve this experience: • The ability to rename or customize the “add-ons” label (e.g., “Customize Your Visit” or “Care Tasks”) • Or a separate feature entirely that allows clients to select visit-specific tasks without the implication of added cost This is a core part of how we’ve operated for years, and it works really well functionally — it just creates occasional confusion from a wording/UI standpoint. Would love your thoughts on whether something like this is possible, or if there are any current settings we may be overlooking. Thanks so much!

What’s new as of 5/18/26 We’ve updated AssignIQ and RouteIQ to make intelligent scheduling and route optimization easier to review, adjust, and trust. AssignIQ helps decide who should be assigned to visits. RouteIQ helps decide the best order and timing when visits are already assigned. AssignIQ and RouteIQ are now clearer AssignIQ assigns sitters. RouteIQ optimizes already-assigned routes. Admins have more control Change sitter inline. Change arrival time inline. Locked values are respected. AssignIQ is more transparent Reasons explain why sitters are suggested. Notes and sitter schedules are accessible without leaving the workflow. Routing is more configurable Consolidation preference. Arrival increment. Staff segment filtering. Staff restrictions are more precise Animal-specific exclusions are now supported. How to Use AssignIQ Set Staff Scheduling Preferences You can configure sitter-specific scheduling rules under AssignIQ Behavior when editing staff accounts on Staff > Staff Accounts . These preferences help AssignIQ understand which sitters should or should not be considered for certain work. This includes availability-related rules, service restrictions, overnight preferences, and animal-specific restrictions. Animal restrictions are more flexible than simple “Dogs Only” or “Cats Only” rules, allowing more precise exclusions for allergies, fears, or other sitter-specific limitations. Select Visits to Assign In the scheduler, select one or more unassigned visits, click Assign , then choose AssignIQ . If you prefer to assign manually, use Direct Assign instead. Review Suggested Assignments AssignIQ generates optimized sitter assignments and suggested arrival times based on the selected visits and your configuration. Suggestions may include a short explanation showing why a sitter was recommended, such as: Primary or secondary sitter Recent sitter Closest sitter Has key Route fit Best available fit A more detailed popover is also available when you want additional context behind the recommendation. Review Notes and Sitter Schedules When relevant notes exist, AssignIQ shows a notes icon on the visit row so managers can review important scheduling context without leaving the workflow. A schedule icon may also appear near the suggested sitter, allowing you to quickly review that sitter’s day before accepting or changing the assignment. Make Adjustments You can edit directly in the AssignIQ results table. Change the suggested sitter Change or customize the arrival time Reset locked values when needed When you manually change a sitter or arrival time, that value becomes locked. Changing a sitter does not require AssignIQ to run again. Changing an arrival time can affect routing, so AssignIQ will prompt you to run it again before finalizing. Adjust AssignIQ / RouteIQ Preferences Use the Preferences button to adjust how AssignIQ and RouteIQ handle scheduling and routing. The preferences panel lets you control how much weight is given to factors like sitter relationship, distance, and route consolidation. You can also adjust timing behavior, such as arrival time increments, and limit AssignIQ to a specific staff segment when needed. These settings allow each business to tune AssignIQ to better match how they schedule in practice. Run AssignIQ and Finalize Click Run AssignIQ to generate or refresh suggestions. Once the assignments look correct, click Finalize Assignments to confirm the selected sitters and times. Sitters are notified the same way they are when visits are assigned normally. How to Use RouteIQ RouteIQ is used when visits already have sitters and you only want to improve the route order and timing. You can use RouteIQ in two places: From Route View , using the magic icon next to a sitter with enough visits From AssignIQ, when all selected visits are already assigned, by selecting the RouteIQ option in the bottom left RouteIQ keeps the current sitter assignments in place and optimizes the route order and arrival timing. It shows useful route context such as: Visit count Total drive time Total service time Time span Order changes Optimized arrival times When you finalize RouteIQ, sitter assignments remain unchanged. The visit timing/order is updated based on the optimized route.