Houndtrust — frequently asked questions
Updated June 2026
Houndtrust is dog-care business software for solo sitters, boarders, walkers, and groomers — one link books the job, e-signs the waiver and emergency-vet authorization, and shows your month's money, with no cut of your bookings. Here are the questions people ask most.
What is Houndtrust?
Houndtrust is dog-care business software for solo sitters, boarders, walkers, and groomers. One intake link books the job, e-signs the liability waiver and emergency-vet authorization, and shows the month's money. An AI assistant, Pip, drafts warm client update “report cards.” It never takes a cut of your bookings.
Does Houndtrust take a percentage of my bookings?
No. Houndtrust never takes a cut of any booking. You pay a flat monthly subscription — Free, Solo ($19.99/mo), or Pro ($29.99/mo) — and keep 100% of what clients pay you. Unlike marketplaces such as Rover or Wag, we don't sit between you and your client's money.
How is Houndtrust different from Rover or Wag?
Rover and Wag are marketplaces: they find you clients but take a per-booking cut and keep the client relationship on their platform. Houndtrust is software you run your own business on — no booking fees, and your clients stay yours. It's built for pros who already have clients or want to keep the ones they earn.
Is Houndtrust good for a one-person dog-care business?
Yes — it's built solo-first. There's no staff scheduling, payroll, or multi-location overhead you'd find in team platforms. If you run a larger multi-staff company, a team-oriented tool may fit better. Houndtrust focuses on the single operator who wants less paperwork and a clear view of the month.
What does the intake link actually do?
One link handles four things at once: it books the job into your calendar, e-signs the liability waiver, captures emergency-vet authorization, and feeds your month's money view. Clients fill it out once from their phone, so you skip the back-and-forth paperwork before a stay or walk.
How much does Houndtrust cost?
Houndtrust has three tiers: Free, Solo at $19.99/month, and Pro at $29.99/month. There are no per-booking fees. New users get two months of Pro free. You can start on Free and upgrade when your client volume grows.
Do dog sitters need a liability waiver?
Most solo dog-care pros should use a signed liability waiver — it sets expectations and documents that the owner accepts the normal risks of care. It's not legal advice, and requirements vary by state, but a clear signed waiver plus emergency-vet authorization is standard practice. Houndtrust e-signs both through the intake link.
What is emergency vet authorization, and do I need it?
Emergency vet authorization is the pet owner's written consent for you to seek veterinary care — usually with a dollar cap — if their pet gets sick or hurt while in your care. It protects the animal and you. Many sitters collect it on every booking; Houndtrust captures it right at intake.
Can Houndtrust write client updates for me?
Houndtrust's AI assistant, Pip, drafts warm client update “report cards” — photo, meals, walks, and how the pet is doing — that you review and send. It's an assist, not autopilot: you stay in control of what goes to your clients. The goal is turning one-time clients into regulars.
Can I export my clients if I ever leave?
Yes. Your clients and their details are yours — Houndtrust is software you run your business on, not a marketplace that owns the relationship. We never insert ourselves between you and a rebooking, and we don't lock your data in.
Do my clients get a portal?
Yes. Each client gets a simple pet portal where they see their dog's updates and photos and can message you — no app to download. It's included, and it's how a one-time client becomes a regular.
Does Houndtrust work for boarders, walkers, and groomers too?
Yes. Houndtrust is built for solo dog-care pros broadly — overnight boarding, drop-in visits, dog walking, and grooming — anywhere you need intake, waivers, emergency-vet authorization, scheduling, and a clear money view in one place.
Less paperwork. More belly rubs.
Start free, get two months of Pro free, and keep 100% of every booking.
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