Every pet deserves love, but let's face it: The only thing better than a belly rub is VIP treatment! Some pet parents go above and beyond — whether they’re booking regular spa days, boarding during the holidays, or telling all their dog park friends about your business — and it's nice to acknowledge their loyalty and reward them.
Every pet-care business is unique, so your definition of a VIP can be, too! The beauty of running your own business is that you get to decide who earns that Very Important Pup status. Whether it's the dog who’s been with you since day one or the pup who always books the deluxe suite with peanut butter Kongs, VIPs are the heartbeat of your business—and they deserve to be treated that way.
Here are a few common ways pet-care businesses define their VIPs:
Loyalty & Longevity: These are the pet parents who’ve been booking with you for years. Maybe they first visited when their furry companion was a puppy, and now they’re practically family. Longtime customers are often your most vocal advocates—and rewarding them helps reinforce that bond.
Top-Tier Spenders: Some clients regularly book premium services, opt for the upgraded grooming packages, or reserve your most luxurious lodging options. Their high average spend contributes significantly to your bottom line, making them ideal candidates for VIP perks.
Frequent Flyers: Clients who visit often—whether it’s weekly daycare or monthly grooming—are showing you love with their time and their wallet and recognizing that consistency is a great way to keep them coming back.
Special Needs Pets: Sometimes, a VIP isn’t about revenue—it’s about compassion. Dogs with medical needs, mobility issues, anxiety, or behavioral quirks may require extra care and attention from your team. Creating a VIP status for these pups ensures everyone knows to go the extra mile and helps staff deliver thoughtful, consistent care.
Engaged Advocates: Don’t forget the pet parents who tag you on Instagram, leave glowing reviews, or refer their friends. Their enthusiasm helps your business grow—and that kind of loyalty is worth rewarding, even if they’re not your biggest spenders.
So, how can you show your appreciation and keep those tails wagging? Here are some paws-itively perfect ways you can reward your VIPups and their loyal humans.
VIP clients should never have to worry about holiday waitlists during busy seasonal surges. Offer early access to peak-time reservations like Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. You can even create a "VIP Waitlist" to further reinforce their special status.
Gingr makes it easy to send targeted emails or SMS messages announcing that VIP booking is open. This creates a sense of exclusivity while giving loyal clients peace of mind that they won’t be scrambling for space.
Let the perks roll in automatically! With Gingr’s VIP Pricing Rules, you can set up exclusive discounts that apply only to your most loyal customers. No coupon codes, no manual adjustments—just seamless savings for your best clients. Pro tip: Use automated pricing rules in tandem with reports to identify your most frequent, high-spending pet parents!
Simply tag a pet’s profile with the VIP setting to enable this. This automatically generates a VIP tag and allows Gingr to apply your custom pricing rule to reservation rates. Note: These discounts don’t include extras like retail or packages, but they go a long way in recognizing repeat business where it counts.
Pair that with custom owner icons (think gold stars or crowns), and your staff will never miss a VIP—whether they’re on the phone, in the lobby, or just booked online.
Everyone loves getting mail, especially when it’s unexpected and adorable. Set aside a small budget for quarterly appreciation gifts for your top clients. It doesn’t have to be big. Think branded toys, treats, leashes, or even a simple thank-you card with a discount code can make a big impact.
Make it personal! A handwritten note that says “Thanks for being pawsome, Max!” goes a long way toward building lasting loyalty. Bonus points if you include branded squeaky toy branded to your business that makes its way into their next Instagram story.
Ready to have some fun? Host an exclusive event for your VIP clients and their pets. Think of it as a mix between a client appreciation day and a puppy playdate. Set up a photo booth with silly props, hand out treat bags, offer free nail trims or brush-outs, and raffle off a free weekend of boarding.
Clients love these events because they feel recognized and connected to your community—and the dogs love them because...well, treats, socialization, attention... You can also use the event to gather glowing testimonials and pet photos for your marketing materials. It's a win for everyone.
A little recognition goes a long way! Feature one special client monthly in your lobby, newsletter, and/or social media. Include their name, favorite toy, go-to services, and a sweet photo. Not only does this boost the featured pet parent’s sense of pride, but it also creates great content for your brand. (And trust us, other clients will start dropping hints that they’d love to be featured too.)
Marking milestones is a small act with a big emotional reward. Use Gingr to store pet birthdays and adoption anniversaries (aka “gotcha days”) and schedule automated messages with a coupon or special message.
Depending on your business, you could offer a “birthday spa package” with extras like a themed bandana, birthday photo, or free nail trim. Offer "Charlie-themed" training sessions, featuring Charlie the boxer's favorite commands or rewards for every pup in the class. It's not just adorable—it's a chance to upsell and make your clients feel seen.
(And yes, dog-friendly cake is absolutely encouraged.)
In the hustle of daily operations, it’s easy to miss a golden opportunity to delight a customer. That’s where custom icons in Gingr shine — it's a simple visual cue that's also fun to use and look at.
Set a unique icon—like a heart or trophy—to identify VIP clients across your system. These icons can trigger staff alerts like “Always offer complimentary treat” or “Loves report cards with photos.” It’s like having a cheat sheet for next-level service.
Gingr also offers system-generated icons for things like signed waivers or payment info, so layering in a custom VIP icon adds extra clarity without complicating your workflow.
Gingr user Josh with Pittsburgh Pet Concierge said it best:
"Icons are a great way to quickly identify who and what you are dealing with on the fly, whether it be a reservation request, a quick refresh before greeting a check-in, or a way to make sure the right product and services have been added to a reservation," he said.
Your most loyal customers do more than fill your calendar—they help your business grow through referrals, feedback, and repeat visits. When you take the time to recognize their contributions, you don’t just boost retention—you build a brand people rave about.
Luckily, rewarding VIPups doesn’t have to be time-consuming. By using custom icons and the VIP setting in Gingr, you can create a tailored system that highlights who these special customers are and what makes them so important. Once a pet is tagged as a VIP, you can automate discounts, add alerts for custom care, and identify them quickly across your platform.
So go ahead—roll out the red carpet. Your VIPups (and their humans) will love you for it.
Ready to optimize operations and build loyal customers for life? Book a demo with Gingr today!