Boarding
Daycare
Grooming
Training
Dog Park / Dog Bar
Enterprise
Gingr vs Kennel Connection: Time for a Modern Platform?
Kennel Connection has served the industry for over 30 years. But if you're juggling separate tools for texting, payments, and online booking — or dealing with recent update headaches — it might be time to see what cloud-first really looks like.
The Real Cost of Workarounds
KC users often don't realize how many separate tools they're paying for — or how much time those workarounds cost their team.
Online Booking
Bookings arrive via email, staff re-enters manually
Real-time online booking built into the platform
Client Texting
Requires Weave or similar ($300+/mo extra)
SMS included in every plan,
Payment Processing
Users report broken payment links & reconciliation issues
Integrated payments that work out of the box
Grooming Schedules
Some facilities still use paper because the system can't handle it
Grooming scheduling built into the platform
Reliable
Lack of cloud-based reliabiliity
High system reliability (99.998% uptime)
Customization
Feature requests go years without implementation
Modern platform with regular feature releases
The True Monthly Cost
KC's $89/mo base price doesn't tell the full story. Here's what facilities actually spend.
Gingr
$105 – $180 /moKC + Workarounds
$289 – $549+ /moFacilities switching from KC save an estimated $100 – $370+ per month by consolidating into Gingr — before factoring in saved staff time.
Side-by-Side Comparison
An honest look at how the two platforms serve today's pet care facilities.
| Feature | Gingr | Kennel Connection |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $105/mo | $89/mo |
| Online booking | ✓ Native, real-time | ✗ Manual re-entry from email |
| SMS / client texting | ✓ Included in every plan | Requires separate tool (Weave, etc.) |
| Pet parent app | ✓ Native downloadable app | ✗ No app |
| Report cards | ✓ Yes (50M+ sent, modern & customizable) | ✗ No |
| Marketing tools | ✓ Built-in | ✗ No |
| QuickBooks Online | ✓ Reliable sync | Limited / manual |
| Payment links | ✓ Working, integrated | Users report broken links |
| In-app onboarding | ✓ Supported onboarding | ✗ No |
| Multi-location | ✓ Yes | Limited |
| Membership & loyalty | ✓ Built-in | Basic |
| Cloud architecture | ✓ Cloud-first from day one | Recently migrated (with disruption) |
| Phone support | Chat + email (fast response) | ✓ Yes |
Where Gingr Shines
The modern tools today's pet care businesses need — all in one platform.
Pet Parent App
Give clients a dedicated app to book appointments, check in, and receive updates. It's the experience modern pet parents expect — and KC doesn't offer one.
Automated Report Cards
Over 50 million photo and activity updates sent to happy pet parents. Report cards build trust and keep clients coming back.
Native Online Booking
Clients book directly through your website or the Gingr app. No email forms, no manual re-entry, no missed bookings.
Built-In Marketing
Promotions, email campaigns, and integrations with MailChimp — all without leaving the platform or paying for another tool.
PreCheck Digital Check-In
Streamlined curbside check-in makes mornings smoother for your staff and more convenient for your clients.
Deep Integration Ecosystem
Zapier, MailChimp, Salesforce, QuickBooks, iDogCam, Kisi — Gingr connects to the tools that power your business.
Your Team Already Knows Gingr
New employees who have used Gingr at other facilities often vouch for its effectiveness — because they've seen firsthand how a modern, integrated platform makes their job easier. If your team is recommending Gingr, there's a reason.
10M+
Pets Served
150M+
Reservations Processed
9M+
Platform Users
50M+
Report Cards Sent
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from facilities considering the move from Kennel Connection.
We just went through KC's server update. Do we really want to switch again?
We get it — change fatigue is real. But Gingr was built cloud-first from day one, which means no disruptive server migrations, no local installs, and automatic updates. The transition is handled by our onboarding team, and most facilities are live within days. This is the last switch you'd need to make.
KC is cheaper at $89/mo. Why would I pay more?
KC's base price is lower, but when you add the cost of Weave or another texting tool ($200–$400/mo), third-party payment processing, and the staff time spent on manual booking entry and reconciliation, most facilities find they're spending significantly more than Gingr's all-inclusive $105–$180/mo. We're happy to run a cost comparison specific to your facility.
I prefer phone support. Does Gingr offer that?
Gingr provides support via chat and email with fast response times. Many facilities find that chat-based support is actually quicker for resolving issues. And because Gingr is cloud-native, you'll need support less often in the first place.
How does migration from KC work?
Our onboarding team handles the heavy lifting. We import your client records, pet profiles, and booking data. Most facilities are up and running within a few weeks with full training included. Your dedicated migration specialist is with you every step of the way.
My staff has used KC for years. Will they be able to learn Gingr?
Gingr's modern interface is intuitive and well-organized. In fact, many new hires already know Gingr from working at other facilities. Our onboarding team provides hands-on training and an integrated learning platform, GingrU, to walk your team through features right inside the software.
What about offline access?
Gingr is cloud-based and requires an internet connection. Most facilities find that reliable internet (including a mobile hotspot as backup) makes this a non-issue. The tradeoff is significant: automatic updates, no local installs, access from anywhere on any device, and a platform that's always current.
I've been with KC for 10+ years. Is it really time to switch?
Your loyalty speaks volumes. The question is whether KC has kept pace with what your business — and your clients — need today. Do your pet parents expect an app? Do you want online booking without re-entering data? Do you need marketing tools built in? If the answer is yes, it's worth a conversation.
Ready for the Modern Evolution?
Stop paying for workarounds. Get everything in one platform — and let your team focus on what they do best: caring for pets.