Choosing a Pet Camera for Your Pet Business

Separation anxiety isn’t just for pets anymore! According to a survey by Certapet, 47% of pet owners are anxious when away from their dogs - and the statistics for cats aren’t much better!

If you own a pet business, this anxiety is a direct obstacle you’ll have to overcome. Luckily, there is a rather straightforward solution - a pet camera. 

While basic functionality is important, prioritizing pet-specific features like two-way audio and pet tracking elevates pet cameras from simple monitoring tools to valuable assets for pet businesses.

Choosing the right camera for your business can be challenging. You want a pet camera packed with features that benefit you and your furry clients.

How cameras can benefit your pet business.

Pet cameras can be a fantastic tool for your pet business. They don’t just offer an extra set of eyes. They can help elevate your relationships with your customers and protect your business. 

Here are some direct benefits a pet camera can offer your business:

• Enhanced Client Communication: A pet camera allows your clients to check on their pets throughout the day, reducing their anxiety. It can also help foster trust in your services, as clients can see exactly what’s happening. 
• Improved Pet Care: The cameras can monitor pet behavior, allowing you to intervene earlier to prevent fights or calm nervous dogs. You can also track pet movement with specific cameras, helping you understand their activity levels and needs. 
• Marketing: You can share adorable pet moments captured on camera on social media for marketing your pet business, and creating content to attract new customers. 
• Client Satisfaction: Consider offering “check-in” packages for clients, especially if you own a boarding business. These check-ins could include a quick video call or access to a multi-functional camera, increasing customer satisfaction and relieving their anxiety.
• Security: If your cameras can record, you can also use them to protect your business. In the case of a lawsuit, you have access to video footage, which may prove indispensable. 
• Improved Staff Training: You can streamline workflows by allowing quick check-ins on pet statuses, allowing your staff to work more efficiently. 

Of course, these benefits are only possible if you choose the right camera for your pet business. So, let’s dive into how to choose the right camera next.

How to choose a pet camera in 4 easy steps.

Choosing pet cameras for your business is very similar to choosing home security cameras but with the added need for pet-related features. 

Step 1: Assess your business needs.

Before considering the exact pet camera features you need, it’s important to consider your business needs carefully. What works for one business won’t necessarily work for another. 

Here are some specific factors that you should keep in mind:

• Building Layout and Facility Size: Multiple cameras are often necessary to cover large facilities, especially if you want comprehensive coverage. However, if they're placed strategically, smaller spaces can often get away with only a few cameras. Remember to consider hallways, entrances, exits, and outdoor areas when determining how many cameras you need. 
• Areas to Monitor: You may not need to monitor everywhere. Play areas are important to monitor, even if you always have employees with the dogs. Many businesses also place cameras in resting areas, especially if clients can check in on their pets online. Consider monitoring feeding areas, too. Keeping an eye on eating habits can help you take better care of your clients. 
• Future Needs: Always consider how your business may grow in the future. Ensure that your camera system can grow with you. You don’t want to have to purchase everything again later.
• Integration with Existing Systems: If you use software to manage your pet business, explore pet camera options that integrate with your current software. For instance, if you are using PetExec, it currently integrates with iDogCam.
• Night Vision: You may not need night vision capabilities for your business. Or they may be very important! 
• Budget: We’d all like to get the best of the best and call it a day. However, the most feature-rich cameras are the most expensive (and you may not need all the features). Consider your budget and what features you need. 

Step 2: Consider camera features.

Once you know what your business needs, you can start considering the features you’d like in a camera.

• Resolution and Lens Options: A high-definition resolution (720p or higher) is recommended for the best view. We also recommend wide-angle lenses, as they can view a larger area and (hopefully) reduce the number of cameras you need to purchase. You may also need zoom functionality, depending on your needs. 
• Light Performance: Night vision is important for monitoring pets at night. Adjustable lighting provides the best image quality in varying environments. 
• Audio Capabilities: If you want to communicate with pets remotely (or allow owners to), two-way audio is necessary. Having a pet camera with good sound quality allows you to monitor noises and identify potential problems. However, check your local laws before monitoring and recording conversations.  
• Remote Accessibility: Not all cameras allow for remote viewing, and this feature is necessary for most businesses. Otherwise, your clients won’t be able to view their pets. Most cameras run on the internet and connect via an app or software. This viewing software must be high-quality for good video and audio quality. 
• Wireless vs. Wired Cameras: Wireless cameras allow for great flexibility in placement, but they may have signal strength limitations leading to poor video quality. Wired cameras may only be installable in certain places, but they often have a better signal strength. Sometimes, installing them is more complicated, too. 
• Motion Detection: If you want to spot movement within the camera’s view, the camera must have motion detection. 
• Treat Dispensing: Some pet cameras such as the eufy pet dog camera or the Furbo 360 dog camera have treat dispensing features. While these cameras are not designed to capture large rooms, they could be offered in a package to allow pet parents to interact with their pets with the two-way audio features.
• Pet Tracking: If you want the camera to follow pets over an open area, pet tracking can be helpful. However, it can also be expensive.

Step 3: Budget considerations.

Pet cameras can be expensive, especially if you have to purchase a lot. It depends largely on the features and brands. That said, those aren’t the only two things you need to consider:

• Subscription vs. Non-Subscription: Subscription cameras often offer advanced features, like cloud storage, motion detection alerts, and video history. These features can be very useful. However, they are costly. You’ll pay every month; often quite a lot! Non-subscription cameras often have more basic features, like live video feeds. They may require local storage, like an SD card.
• Cloud Storage Cost: Cloud storage varies depending on your subscription plan. Often, you have to pay for the amount of storage you get. Factor this into your budget, as subscription costs can be expensive. 
• Maintenance Costs: Cameras don’t last forever. Consider the maintenance cost of replacing broken cameras. Sometimes, replacement parts may make it cheaper to fix your cameras, but these parts aren’t available for all cameras. Some cameras may also require occasional cleaning, but this is often inexpensive. 

Step 4: Evaluate camera integrations.

To maximize your cameras' capabilities, they must integrate with other business management software, especially if you’re concerned about efficiency. 

Integrations eliminate the need to switch between platforms to access pet information, camera footage, and other data. Moving around to different platforms can get very tiresome, so integrating everything is preferable. For instance, when paired with PetExec, iDogCam allows cameras to be accessed in the same portal. 

Integrations can also unlock other features that may be unavailable with standalone cameras, like tracking which dogs are in which areas. 

Plus, adding additional cameras and expanding is often quick and easy when everything is integrated. iDogCam makes adding cameras to the PetExec software pretty straightforward.

Integrating a pet camera into your business.

Choosing the best pet camera is only the beginning. It’s important to integrate the camera into your daily operation. Otherwise, you may not get the most out of your pet cameras. That’s why it's so important to integrate your management software with your cameras. 

Imagine this: A client books a boarding stay for their beloved pet, Sam, through your online appointment booking. Using PetExec and iDogCam, you can assign Sam to a specific play area and give Sam’s guardian access to view him directly through the PetExec mobile app. This is perfect for pet parents who are traveling and want to quickly check an app on their phone while on the road!

With this integration, you won’t need to juggle several logins or platforms or worry about providing clients access to the camera.

Once a camera is assigned, PetExec grants secure access to the authorized client based on the boarding schedule you set in the software. 

Ultimately, all this integration leads to enhanced client retention, streamlined workflows, and improved pet care. You’ll have to manage fewer systems, allowing you to focus on what matters: caring for your client’s pets.

Final thoughts.

While there is a high initial investment, a pet camera often generates a positive rate of return when used properly. They can reduce pet owners' anxiety, leading to higher customer satisfaction and retention. They may also improve operational efficiency, allowing you to do more with fewer people. 

To learn more about how PetExec can help you offer pet cameras for your clients, book a free personalized demo today!

Commonly asked questions.

How to improve customer service with pet cameras?

Pet cameras can improve customer service in several ways. For instance, you can offer check-in packages that provide clients access to cameras that view their pets. Even if you don’t provide camera access, you can use cameras to send pictures and updates via email. 

Pet cameras also help you enhance your clients’ care. They allow you to observe the pets closely and provide personalized care. For instance, if a pet appears overwhelmed in the play area, you can move them to a quiet area. Conversely, if a pet seems a bit too energetic, you can provide them with extra playtime. 

How to communicate with clients effectively?

To communicate effectively with clients, always set clear expectations and provide informed consent before collecting video footage. Ensure the client knows how to access the video footage (if applicable) and how it will be used. 

Allowing clients access to video footage may lead to more client communication. It allows you to answer your clients’ concerns more effectively. Integrating with pet management software enables you to handle these extra communications even more effectively. 

Are pet cameras for my business worth it?

Pet cameras can be worth it for your business if you use them correctly. They provide anxiety relief for your clients, as they can view their pets while they’re under your care. You can also address client concerns with real camera footage and care for pets in a personalized manner. 

Perhaps most importantly, pet cameras allow for more efficiency. You can view pets remotely, allowing you to pinpoint all the pets’ needs.