How to Craft and Measure Effective Text Messages for Pet Parents

The Art of Writing SMS Messages Pet Parents Actually Read

Sending a text is simple. Sending a great text — one that gets a quick response, builds loyalty, or drives action — takes a bit of skill. Fortunately, mastering that art is easier than you think. Use the guidelines below to write SMS messages that pet parents love (and actually reply to).

1. Personalize Every Message

Nothing grabs attention like a familiar name. Including the pet’s name or referencing a recent visit instantly makes your message feel personal and warm.

Example: “Hi Sarah, Max’s next grooming appointment is Thursday at 10 AM. Reply YES to confirm or text us to reschedule.”

With Gingr, you can personalize messages using your client and pet database — no manual typing of names required.

2. Keep It Short, Clear, and Friendly

The ideal text is concise and gets to the point quickly. Avoid overly formal or robotic language. Instead, write the way you’d speak to a friendly regular at the front desk.

Good: “Hi Jake, Bella’s boarding check-in is tomorrow at 8 AM. Reply if you need to adjust her pickup time.”

Too Long: “Hello, valued customer. This is a reminder from Happy Tails Boarding that your upcoming stay is approaching. Please confirm your appointment at your earliest convenience.”

3. Match the Message to the Moment

Different situations call for different styles. A reminder text should sound different from a promotional one or a thank-you note. Gingr lets you create message templates for various scenarios.

4. Mind the Timing

Even the best-written text can fall flat if it’s sent at the wrong time. Generally, mid-morning (9–11 AM) or early evening (4–7 PM) work best for appointment-related texts. Avoid very early mornings, late nights, or weekend hours unless it’s urgent. With Gingr’s scheduling tools, you can automate when messages go out.

5. Make It Easy to Respond

Pet parents love convenience. Instead of calling or emailing, they can reply directly to confirm, cancel, or ask a quick question. Gingr’s built-in two-way messaging lets you manage all text conversations from one place — saving time, reducing missed messages, and keeping communication consistent across your team.

6. Add Personality, Not Pressure

Your texts should reflect your brand’s personality. If your dog daycare is playful and upbeat, keep the tone friendly and light. A good rule of thumb is to always keep messages warm but professional. What matters most is authenticity. Every message should make pet parents feel they’re hearing from a trusted partner who knows their furry family member.

The Science: Measuring the ROI of Your SMS Efforts

Writing great messages is step one. Step two is tracking the impact. When you measure the results of your SMS communication, you can clearly see what’s working, what needs adjusting, and how much value your efforts bring to your business.

1. Engagement Metrics

• Delivery Rate: How many messages successfully reached customers.
• Response Rate: How many recipients replied.
• Click-Through Rate (CTR): If you include links for promos or booking forms, how many people clicked.

Even small improvements in these metrics can signal stronger client relationships and more efficient operations.

2. Operational Metrics

• Reduced No-Shows: Automated reminders cut down on missed appointments.
• Fewer Calls: With two-way texting, staff handle fewer phone interruptions.
• Faster Confirmations: Clients can reply instantly instead of waiting on hold.
• Improved Customer Satisfaction: Quick, friendly communication builds loyalty.

3. Marketing ROI

If you use SMS for promotions or events, track your conversions:

• How many bookings or purchases came from your campaign?
• Which message wording performed best?
• Did one time of day yield more replies?

Use these insights to refine future campaigns.

4. How to Set Benchmarks

Before measuring, establish a baseline. For example:

• Average weekly no-show rate.
• Typical time it takes for clients to confirm appointments.
• Average daily text replies.

Then, after a month of using Gingr SMS tools, compare your results. You should see improved efficiency, fewer missed appointments, and happier pet parents.

5. Gingr Tools for Tracking and Optimization

Gingr gives you the ability to monitor key metrics right inside the platform. You can view message history and delivery status, track engagement rates, manage opt-ins and compliance, and adjust templates or campaign timing based on performance. Sending texts to keep parents in the loop, but  learning from them to improve your operations over time will only strengthen your communication and workflows.

Gingr in Action: SMS Features That Make It Easy

Here’s how Gingr helps you put this strategy into practice with tools designed for the realities of busy pet-care teams.

Automated and Manual Messaging

Gingr lets you send messages automatically for routine events — reminders, pick-up notifications, follow-ups — or manually for custom situations. You can configure triggers for appointment reminders, check-in or pick-up notifications, vaccine expiration alerts, and rebooking reminders. Automation ensures consistency, while manual options give you flexibility for personalized outreach.

Two-Way Texting

Two-way texting turns reminders into conversations. Pet parents can reply to your messages, and those responses appear within Gingr, where staff can manage them alongside other client communications. This means fewer voicemails, faster replies, and a smoother booking experience.

Templates and Campaigns

Save time and stay consistent with customizable SMS templates for reminders, thank-yous, and promotions. Gingr users can also run marketing campaigns via SMS, sending announcements to selected customer groups — for instance: “Boarding spots for Memorial Day weekend are filling fast,” or “Celebrate your pet’s birthday with 20% off grooming this week.” Because these templates live inside Gingr, you don’t have to switch platforms or copy-paste content.

Compliance and Reliability

Gingr’s SMS system is A2P 10DLC compliant, helping ensure your messages meet carrier standards and are delivered reliably. While you focus on caring for pets, Gingr manages the compliance and delivery infrastructure.

Performance Tracking

Once messages are sent, Gingr tracks delivery and response data, including sent and delivered counts, undeliverable messages, replies, and campaign engagement. With your communication performance in one place, you can refine your approach, improve outreach, and see tangible proof that your strategy works.

Seamless Integration Across Features

Gingr SMS integrates with scheduling, customer profiles, and reporting tools. Text history, booking info, and customer data stay in sync — eliminating manual entry and reducing errors.

Combine Creativity with Data

The most successful pet businesses blend creativity with strategy. They write messages that sound human then analyze which ones drive results. Try A/B testing your texts by sending two variations of a reminder message to small customer groups, then measure which earns more replies or faster confirmations. Perhaps a shorter subject line improves engagement; perhaps a clearer call to action boosts confirmations.

The goal isn’t perfection; it’s progress. Every insight helps you refine your messaging and make communication even more effective.

Write with Purpose, Track for Growth

In an industry built on care and connection, how you communicate matters as much as the services you offer. SMS bridges the gap between efficiency and empathy, helping you keep pet parents informed, engaged, and loyal. When you pair strong writing habits with Gingr’s intuitive texting tools, you create a communication system that feels personal and professional at once.

“If you want to be stuck in the '90s and take your chances with a legacy product, there are dozens of options. But if you want a sleek, full-featured offering with new features and well-thought-out execution coupled with terrific support, then you will want to try Gingr... Gingr offers text/email notifications to customers with a simple click—no more missed phone calls or full customer voicemails.”

— Gil D., K9 Loft

As Gil noted, Gingr makes it simple to keep clients in the loop. No more missed calls or full voicemails. Every message becomes an opportunity to strengthen trust, prevent confusion, and remind pet parents that their pets are in good hands.

Log into your Gingr account, review your text templates, and start sending messages that make a measurable impact. When you text smarter, you save time and grow your business with every conversation. New to Gingr? Book a demo to see these features in action!