The Hidden Costs of Patchwork Payment Integrations for Pet Businesses

When it comes to pet-care software, what you don’t see on the price tag can really bite.

Many platforms boast endless features, until you realize half of them require third-party integrations that cost extra. Suddenly, your "affordable" solution has turned into a tangled mess of logins, lag times, and line items.

Let’s dig into the true cost of ad-hoc integrations, and why an all-in-one solution is a smarter, simpler way to optimize operations at your pet-care business.

Not All Software Costs Are Upfront

You’re busy enough managing pet parents, paws, and pickup schedules. You shouldn’t have to track down hidden costs too. But unfortunately, that’s exactly what happens when software platforms push endless integrations outside their core system.

It starts small: You want to accept online payments or connect your accounting software. But then comes the realization that you need a third-party connector. And maybe a monthly subscription. And maybe… some custom development to make it all work. Before you know it, your software bill has sprouted surprise charges and your staff is flipping between tabs like short-order cooks on a Saturday.

Pet businesses deserve software that is configurable to meet their needs and their specific ways of operating their grooming salons, kennels, daycares, or training facilities. Integrating with existing systems can help keep things running smoothly, but when you start tacking on extra tool after extra tool, your well-oiled machine can turn into something resembling Frankenstein's monster.

What Are Ad-hoc Integrations?

All of these patchwork apps and add-ons some systems require to meet the basic needs of a pet-care business are integrations, or the behind-the-scenes connections that make different systems “talk” to each other. Useful? Absolutely. But when they’re not built into your software (when you need to bolt them on separately)they come with:

• More vendors to manage
• More room for error
• More time wasted
• More money spent

Think of it like duct-taping together your doggy daycare’s appointment calendar, POS terminal, and check-in clipboard to keep everything in one place. It can work, but wouldn’t you rather use something made to work together? 

The Price Tag You Didn’t See Coming

Let’s break it down. Here are some of the most common hidden costs we’ve seen pet-care pros run into when they go the ad-hoc route for important functions like payment processing:

API integration projects can range from $3,000 for basic setups to $30,000+ for complex use cases. And that’s just the beginning. Most businesses pay 15–25% annually in maintenance on top of that initial price tag.

Ad-hoc integrations cost more than money. They cost focus. When you’re troubleshooting systems or fielding payment errors, you’re not doing the things that made you start your business in the first place: caring for pets, building community, and growing your brand.

Scenario: A Kennel Owner's Experience

Let’s say Kyle runs a growing pet-boarding business. He picks a software that checks the boxes... until he and his staff try to collect deposits online.

First, he signs up for a payment gateway. Then, he pays a developer to connect it. Then, that gateway changes their API. Now his checkouts aren’t working and customers are calling. Staff are confused. He’s frustrated. And every fix comes with a new fee.

Meanwhile, his competitor uses integrated payment processing that works seamlessly his pet-care business software and hasn’t experienced any of these issues that cost time, money, and focus.

The Gingr Payments Difference

Here’s where it all gets easier.

Gingr Payments is integrated directly into Gingr's all-in-one pet-care business software. So, the same place where you access your reservations, reporting, and pet profiles is also where you can manage your payments. 

That means:

• No third-party setup – It’s ready when you are.
• No connector fees – Everything works right out of the box.
• No maintenance stress – Updates are handled in-house by Team Gingr.
• No switching screens – Your staff has one dashboard for reservations and payments.
• No hidden fees – You’ll know exactly what you’re paying, and why.

You also get pet-care-specific features like:

1. Secure, self-service deposit collection at booking
2. Recurring memberships and prepaid packages
3. Cards on file for fast, frictionless checkout
4. Built-in tipping to boost staff morale
5. Smart reporting to track transactions and revenue

Plus, pet parents can make payments, select tips, and even purchase retail products right from their customer portal (the same place where they book daycare stays, nail trims, and/or obedience classes).

Smoother Payments = More Profits

We’ve designed Gingr Payments to help you maximize revenue, minimize busywork, and keep the tail wags coming, all without the guesswork of ad-hoc payment processing add-ons.

Our customers report:

• Higher average ticket sizes (thanks to seamless add-on upsells)
• Fewer no-shows (because deposits are easy to collect)
• Lower staff turnover (because tips are easier to give and get)
• Faster check-ins and outs (because everything is in one place)

Untangle the Add-On Web

In the pet-care world, every moment matters, whether it’s a snuggle, a pickup, or a quick update to a nervous pet parent.

When your systems are patched together, you spend more time dealing with tech and less time doing what you love. But when you choose software that works together by design, you free up your day, your budget, and your team.

So before you sign on for “a few simple integrations,” take a step back.

Because what you don’t pay attention to now… might be what you end up paying for later.

Ready to skip the surprises and go all-in on simplicity? Book a free demo and see how Gingr Payments saves time, money, and sanity—for pet-care businesses just like yours.

Are you a current Gingr user interested in signing up for Gingr Payments? Check out our support article on getting set up in 10 minutes or less!