Free Appointment Reminder SMS for Pet Groomers
Steal our SMS look! Our low-character txts reminders and informative emails made a big difference for our salon.
A few years after opening our salon, we started having more frequent issues with late reschedules, missed appointments and late pickups/early drop offs. These really affected our scheduling, finances and stress levels at the shop, especially grooming one-on-one. Most of our clients were regulars, so we were finding it difficult to enforce our policies. We realized a lot of them didn’t actually know the specifics of some of our most important policies - they were bundled up with our other terms of service, which a lot of people don’t refer back to often (or even read at all).
Changing our SMS reminders was a game changer. Laur spent a full day working out a way to get everything to fit into the character limit and read quickly and clearly (we did a lot of tests!) while stating our scheduling fees and offering multiple opportunities to reschedule ahead of time and including other info like address and landmarks for easy referral.
This made such a difference for us. People started rescheduling ahead of time so we were able to fill spots, and if they missed their appointment or cancelled same day, they would even offer to pay the fee. Pick ups and drop offs got better as well. So we want to share them with you too!
Note: We used MoeGo, so these include the MoeGo automatic codes for pet name, appointment time/date and staff, as well as the automatic cancellation feature. Be sure to adjust them if you’re using a different software. We also groomed straight-through, so our policies/fees reflect that. Feel free to edit and use these as a launching point for your own SMS/emails, and definitely test them out first to make sure everything is autofilling properly.
JUMP TO:
Appointment Reminders: 1st Appointment Reminder | 2nd Appointment Reminder
Appointment Requests:Request Submitted | Request Accepted | Request Declined | Appointment Booked
Appointment Changes: Appointment Rescheduled | Appointment Cancelled
Appointment Reminders
We had our appointment reminders scheduled for 4 days before and 1 day before. The first reminder gives the client 24 hrs to reschedule/cancel, so you have 3 days to fill the spot if needed (this worked well for us!) The second reminder gives the client one more chance to reschedule/cancel the day before for a 50% fee, so there’s still a chance for you to fill the spot, and also reminds them that same day cancellations are billed in full.
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SMS: 1st Appointment Reminder (4 days before)
REMINDER: Your upcoming appointment at [your salon name] for {petName} is scheduled for {Time} on {Date}. Please {replyYconfirm} or {replyNcancel} Reschedule or cancellation requests must be received within 24 hrs of this message. Cancellations outside of that window will be billed 50%. Day-of cancellations or no shows will be billed for the full balance. Thank you for your help in keeping our scheduling efficient!
EMAIL: 1st Appointment Reminder (4 days before)
Title: REMINDER: Your upcoming appointment at [your salon name]
Hi {customerName}! Your upcoming appointment at [your salon name] for {petName} is scheduled for {Time} on {Date}. Please {replyYconfirm} or {replyNcancel}
Reschedule or cancellation requests must be received within 24 hrs of this message Txt [your MoeGo phone number] for requests. Cancellations outside of that window will be billed 50%. Day-of cancellations or no shows will be billed for the full balance. Thank you for your help in keeping our scheduling efficient!
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SMS: 2nd Appointment Reminder (1 day before)
See you and {petName} tomorrow at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} at [your salon name] – [your salon address]. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. Please {replyYconfirm} or {replyNcancel}. NOTE: No-fee cancel window is closed. Cancel today for 50% fee. Day-of/no-shows billed in full.
EMAIL: 2nd Appointment Reminder (1 day before)
Title: REMINDER: Your appointment at [your salon name] tomorrow
Hi {customerName}! We're looking forward to seeing you and {petName} tomorrow at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} at [your salon name] – [your salon address]. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment.
Please {replyYconfirm} or {replyNcancel}. To get in contact, txt [your MoeGo phone number]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies. NOTE: No-fee cancel window is closed. Cancel today for 50% fee. Day-of/no-shows billed in full. Thank you for helping us keep our scheduling efficient!
LOCATION INFORMATION: You can find us on google maps by searching [your salon name], or [your salon address]. We're the first retail space to the left of [landmark], with [describe your signage] on the door. You can usually find parking [parking information], and there's [nearby businesses] if you want to stay nearby.
We'll txt you from [your MoeGo phone number] when your pet is ready to be picked up, unless we've confirmed a pick up time with you. Be sure to arrive within 15 minutes of your pick up time to avoid late fees. We groom one pet per groomer at a time, so a timely drop off and pick up is important.
Thank you for helping us ensure a safe and stress-free environment for our pets and groomers! We look forward to seeing you.
- [your groomer’s names] (your groomers at [your salon name])
Appointment Requests
These appointment request messages keep your clients informed as to where they are in the booking process. These helped us take care of our scheduling at our own pace, avoiding excess messages and confusion from clients.
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SMS: Appointment Request Submitted
Hello from (your salon name)! Your appointment request for {petName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} with {appointmentStaffName} has been received! This request is pending approval and has not yet been accepted. You'll receive a txt within 3 business days to confirm, decline or adjust the time/date of your appointment. You can txt this number for adjustments or inquiries. Thank you for your patience!
EMAIL: Appointment Request Submitted
Title: Appointment request pending from (your salon name)
Hello {customerFirstName},
Your appointment request for {petName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} with {appointmentStaffName} has been received!
This request is pending approval and has not yet been accepted.
You'll receive a txt/email within 3 business days to confirm, decline or adjust the time/date of your appointment. Thank you for your patience!
For adjustments or inquiries, txt [your MoeGo phone]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies.
Thank you,
Open by appointment only! No walk-ins please.
:::
SMS: Appointment Request Accepted
From [your salon name]: Your appointment has been booked! See you and {petName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} at [your salon address]. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. For no-fee reschedule/cancellation, txt this number within 3 days of your appointment date. We look forward to seeing you!
EMAIL: Appointment Request Accepted
Title: Your appointment at [your salon name] has been booked!
Hello {clientFirstName}! Your appointment request for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} has been booked. We're located at [your salon address]. Our shop is the first retail space to the left of [landmark], with [describe your signage] on the door.
Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. For nail trims, please arrive within 5 minutes. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. For no-fee reschedule/cancellation, txt this number within 3 days of your appointment date. We look forward to seeing you!
TO CONTACT US: Please txt [your MoeGo phone]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies. We are open by appointment only! No walk-ins please.
TO RESCHEDULE/CANCEL: Please txt [your MoeGo phone]. Reschedule or cancellation requests must be received within 3 days of your appointment date. Cancellations outside of that window will be billed 50%. Day-of cancellations or no shows will be billed in full. Thank you for your help in keeping our scheduling efficient!
Thank you for booking an appointment at [your salon name] - we look forward to seeing you!
- [your groomer’s names] (your groomers at [your salon name])
Located at [your salon address]
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SMS: Appointment Request Declined
Hello from [your salon name]! We're sorry, but your appointment request for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} on {appointmentDate} {appointmentTime} has been declined. The requested time/staff may not be available, or there might be another issue. To get in contact, txt us at this number!
EMAIL: Appointment Request Declined
Title: Your appointment request at [your salon name] has been declined
Hello from [your salon name]! We're sorry, but your appointment request for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} on {appointmentDate} {appointmentTime} has been declined. The requested time/staff may not be available, or there might be another issue.
To get in contact, please txt [your MoeGo number]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies.
Thank you,
[your salon name]
:::
SMS: Appointment Booked
From [your salon name]: Your appointment has been booked! See you and {petName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} at [your salon address]. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. For no-fee reschedule/cancellation, txt this number within 3 days of your appointment date. We look forward to seeing you!
EMAIL: Appointment Booked
Title: Your appointment at [your salon name] has been booked!
Hello {clientFirstName}! Your appointment request for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} has been booked. We're located at [your salon address]. Our shop is the first retail space to the left of [landmark], with [describe your signage] on the door.
Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. For nail trims, please arrive within 5 minutes. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. For no-fee reschedule/cancellation, txt this number within 3 days of your appointment date. We look forward to seeing you!
TO CONTACT US: Please txt [your MoeGo number]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies. We are open by appointment only! No walk-ins please.
TO RESCHEDULE/CANCEL: Please txt [your MoeGo number]. Reschedule or cancellation requests must be received within 3 days of your appointment date. Cancellations outside of that window will be billed 50%. Day-of cancellations or no shows will be billed in full. Thank you for your help in keeping our scheduling efficient!
Thank you for booking an appointment at [your salon name] - we look forward to seeing you!
- [your groomer’s names] (your groomers at [your salon name])
Located at [your salon address]
Appointment Changes
These are pretty straightforward! Just a notification for your client updating them on their new appointment time (or cancellation) along with the general reminders about timing and fees.
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SMS: Appointment Rescheduled
Hi {clientFirstName}! Your appointment for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} has been rescheduled for {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate}. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment. For no-fee reschedule/cancellation, txt this number within 3 days of your appointment date. We look forward to seeing you!
EMAIL: Appointment Rescheduled
Title: Your appointment at [your salon name] has been rescheduled
Hi {clientFirstName}! Your appointment for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} has been rescheduled for {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate}. Please arrive within 15 min of your appointment (no earlier/later) and pick up time to avoid fees. We groom 1 pet per groomer, so timing is important to ensure a safe and stress-free environment.
TO CONTACT US: Please txt [your MoeGo phone number]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies.
TO RESCHEDULE/CANCEL: Please txt [your MoeGo phone number]. Reschedule or cancellation requests must be received within 3 days of your appointment date. Cancellations outside of that window will be billed 50%. Day-of cancellations or no shows will be billed in full. Thank you for your help in keeping our scheduling efficient! We look forward to seeing you.
- [your groomer’s names] (your groomers at [your salon name])
Located at [your salon address]
:::
SMS: Appointment Cancelled
From [your salon name]: Your appointment for {petName} at {appointmentTime} on {appointmentDate} has been cancelled. The requested time/staff may not be available, or there might be another issue. To get in contact, txt us at this number.
EMAIL: Appointment Cancelled
Title: Your appointment at [your salon name] has been cancelled
Hello {clientFirstName}! Your appointment request for {petName} with {appointmentStaffName} on {appointmentDate} {appointmentTime} has been cancelled. The requested time/staff may not be available, or there might be another issue.
To get in contact, please txt [your MoeGo phone number]. This email is automatic and does not accept non-confirmation replies.
Thank you,
[your salon name]
We hope these messages help you have easier grooming days with more time to rest and enjoy the parts you love about being a pet professional! If these messages were helpful for you, we would love to hear from you (it’s just two of us doing this, so getting positive feedback really helps keep us motivated to make more resources!) Feel free to tag us, share with friends, or send us an email/msg. We want to know what you’d like to see next!
Cloud Grooming Creative’s Quick Guide To Shop Policies is a fully customizable Canva poster template for dog grooming salons. You can change the accent color, add your logo, and tailor the text to match your own shop’s policies.
Order posters from Canva directly through the template, available in several sizes, frames and finishes. You can also download the file and print it yourself or elsewhere!
Policies are so important in a salon. We all have service agreement and waivers, but there are some important things that should be highlighted and kept in front of the client before and after every session. Having clear policies and strong boundaries helps set client expectations, navigate challenging situations and help avoid problem clients all together.
Having a physical poster to refer to keeps customers up to date and informed, and makes it so much easier to enforce your policies when you need to.
🎨Fully customizable Canva template
✍️Pick the best colors to fit your brand, add your logo!
✂️Change the fees and wording to your own business policies
⭐️Includes starter text to summarize policies
📋Keep customers up to date and informed
🐩Better communication, more time for haircuts
🤝Create clear understanding between groomers and owners
🐆Available immediately to download
Why is enforcing your policies so difficult? There are many reasons, and they are all made easier by having clearly communicated policies in front of your client before and after every groom.
When you’re already dealing with the stress of a policy being broken while working with live animals, it’s easy to be left cleaning up the mess and forget to ask for a fee, or build resentment as you take the loss from no-shows and late pick ups. When pets are sent home early, it can be hard to adequately charge for your time or lost hours.
We’ve included summarized starter text that highlights the most common challenges we had in our salon, in a clear way with a lot of padding that leaves room for you to choose a response that makes the most sense for the situation. Sometimes that might look like mentioning the policy for the future and letting the client know you’re waiving the fee today. Other times, especially when there are health and safety concerns or repeated policy issues, you may need to ask for a larger fee.
You can change the wording and fees to reflect your terms of service, but you’re welcome to use as much or as little of the starter text as you need.
IMPORTANT: This is a download, NOT a physical product. This does not include the price of any prints or posters, just the template for you to customize to match your brand. This template is fully customizable + printable on Canva! For current print prices, visit Canva Print.
Bring your policies into the real world with our customizable Canva Salon Policies Poster!
Signage is so important in the salon, and having your policies in front of your clients before and after every appointment keeps them in the know and makes sure expectations are clear without awkward conversations.
This poster highlights important policies like matting, behavior and health, as well as reminders about scheduling and pick up/drop off fees.
This instant download is customizable on Canva, so you can change the policies and fees to your specifics. You can download your poster and have it printed yourself, but you can also place a custom order for a poster in different sizes, finishes and frame options directly in the template, through Canva Print!
