Pet Bookings

Online News

New Website Allows Pet Owners To Book Kennels 24-7

PetBookings.com, a website that allows pet owners to book pet boarding reservations in real-time with instant confirmation, launched nationwide in mid-March.

Similar to Hotels.com, visitors to the site can search for openings at pet boarding facilities 24 hours a day, seven days a week by entering their city, desired check in and out dates and number of rooms needed. In addition to reservations, users can book additional services offered by their particular boarding facility.

Chris Tilson, president and CEO of PetBookings.com, said he launched the website first and foremost as a convenience for pet owners. These days, many travelers book their flights and hotels online. But, if they have a pet, travelers still have to call a kennel to make a reservation, said Tilson, who is also vice president of Arbor Lane Kennel in Indianapolis. PetBookings.com allows customers to book all their travel arrangements online at their convenience.

PetBookings.com beta launched in the spring of 2010 with 11 Indianapolis- area kennels. Now, Tilson is inviting boarding facilities across the United States to join.

PetBookings.com offers a number of benefits to participating kennels, Tilson said. Taking reservations 24-7 means less of a chance that a kennel will miss out on a new customer, who might need to book a reservation when the brickand- mortar facility is closed.

Also, the website provides kennels with the opportunity to upsell additional services, such as nature walks, grooming or play activities. About 75 percent of the website’s users end up booking services in addition to boarding, Tilson said.

“When it’s put in front of the customers in that menu format, they are selecting the additional options,” Tilson said.