SMS

Animal Friends OS + Twilio

Bring Your Own Number

Your pet business deserves to text from its own phone number, not a random shared number that your software vendor controls. Animal Friends OS connects to your Twilio account so every appointment reminder, booking confirmation, and pickup notification comes from the number your clients already know.

You choose your integrations. We never lock you in.

Animal Friends OS is the only pet care software that lets you bring your own payment processor, your own SMS provider, and your own accounting system. Competitors force you onto their stack and charge you for the privilege.

How the Integration Works

Add your Twilio Account SID, Auth Token, and phone number to Animal Friends OS settings. The system sends all outbound SMS through your Twilio account using the Twilio REST API. Inbound replies from clients route back through a webhook into your Animal Friends OS inbox. Two-way messaging with zero configuration beyond the initial setup.

What Messages Are Sent

Appointment reminders go out automatically: booking confirmation when scheduled, a reminder the day before, and a two-hour heads-up. Boarding clients receive check-in confirmations, daily photo updates, and pickup-ready notifications. Daycare parents get check-in and checkout alerts. You can also send custom messages to any client from the CRM.

SMS Quiet Hours

Animal Friends OS enforces quiet hours by default: no messages before 8 AM or after 9 PM in your local timezone. This is built into the system, not just a Twilio feature. Queued messages hold until the window opens. Your clients never get a 6 AM text about tomorrow's appointment.

Setup Steps

Step one: create a Twilio account and purchase a local phone number (about one dollar per month). Step two: copy your Account SID and Auth Token from the Twilio console. Step three: enter them in Animal Friends OS under Settings, SMS Provider. Step four: configure the webhook URL that Twilio provides so inbound replies reach your dashboard.

Why This Matters for Your Pet Business

When your grooming software controls your SMS number, you lose it the day you cancel. Every client who saved that number loses contact with you. With Twilio integration, the phone number belongs to your Twilio account. Switch software anytime and your clients still reach you at the same number. That is what Bring Your Own SMS means: you own the relationship, not the vendor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Twilio cost?
About one dollar per month for a phone number and less than a penny per text message. Most pet businesses spend five to twenty dollars per month on SMS.
Can I use a number I already have?
Yes. If you already have a Twilio number, just connect it. You can also port an existing business number to Twilio.
What if I do not want to manage Twilio?
Animal Friends OS includes built-in SMS at no extra charge. Twilio integration is optional for businesses that want to own their number.

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