Why We'll Never Charge You a 'Success Tax' at The Kennel Manager
You hired your first part-time help. You're getting more bookings. Your business is growing exactly the way you planned.
So why did your software bill just jump?
This is the “Success Tax” — a penalty for making your business more efficient and serving more clients. It's a frustration many face with legacy systems. And it's a model we fundamentally reject at The Kennel Manager.
The Hidden Cost of Per-Staff Pricing
Many kennel management systems base their pricing on the number of active staff members you have. While it might seem reasonable at first glance, this model quickly becomes a bottleneck to your growth.
It Punishes Growth — Hiring a new team member, even seasonally, directly inflates your software costs. The moment you bring in a student for summer help, your bill jumps.
Unpredictable Bills — Your monthly software expense fluctuates with your staffing needs, making budgeting impossible.
It Limits Flexibility — Need to bring in temporary help for a busy weekend? You're immediately charged more, often for just a few days of access.
It Holds You Back — The “success tax” means growing your team becomes a financial burden, not a celebration.
Our Commitment: Predictable Growth, Flat-Rate Freedom
At The Kennel Manager, we believe your success should be celebrated, not taxed. Our pricing is built on a simple, transparent philosophy: one flat rate, regardless of how big you grow.
How We Price (And Why It Matters)
Free Tier: €0/month — Up to 12 kennel units, 1 staff seat, core features.
Starter Tier: €29/month — Unlimited kennel units, 6 staff seats. Recurring bookings, Stripe integration, public booking page, automated reminders. Your bill stays €29/month whether you have 1 staff member or 6.
Pro Tier: €50/month — Unlimited kennel units, unlimited staff seats. Everything in Starter, plus custom domain, occupancy heatmaps, audit logs, customer portal. Your bill stays €50/month no matter how many team members you add.
Why Flat-Rate Pricing Actually Serves You Better
Scale Your Team, Not Your Bill — Bring in a summer student, a new groomer, an extra hand for the holidays. Your The Kennel Manager bill stays the same.
Budget With Confidence — Know exactly what your essential software costs will be each month. €29 or €50. Not guesswork. Not surprises.
Unleash Flexibility — Add or remove staff as your needs evolve, without any financial penalty.
Focus on What Matters — We want you to spend your time caring for your animals, connecting with clients, and strategising your business's future. Not auditing software licenses.
The Math That Makes Sense
Let's say you're on a per-staff system charging €15/staff member/month. You start with 2 staff: €30/month. Then summer comes:
- Per-Staff System: 2 staff = €30. Add 1 for summer = €45. Add another for peak season = €60. After summer, back to €30. It's chaos.
- The Kennel Manager Starter: €29/month, full stop. 1 staff or 6 staff. Hire without financial guilt.
Built for Your Ambition, Not Your Payroll
We understand the unique challenges of running a boutique kennel in the UK and Ireland. You work hard to provide exceptional care. You're taking on team members to scale. Your tools should celebrate that, not penalise it.
Stop letting outdated pricing models hold you back. Embrace the freedom and predictability of flat-rate pricing. Let your business flourish.