Made for the browser,
so it works on your Mac
A lot of grooming software was written for a Windows PC behind the salon desk. If your salon runs on a MacBook or an iMac, that usually means a virtual machine, a remote desktop or a second computer just for bookings.
Doxford is grooming software that runs in the web browser, so on a Mac it works the way it works everywhere else: open Safari, Chrome or Firefox, sign in, and your calendar is there. Your data is stored online, which means the same appointments are on the salon Mac, on your laptop at home and on your iPad at the grooming table.
To be clear about what that means: there is no macOS app to download from the Mac App Store, and nothing to install or keep updated. If you would like Doxford in the Dock like an app, Safari on macOS Sonoma or later can do that: open Doxford, then choose File, Add to Dock.
What you need
Any Mac with a current version of Safari, Chrome or Firefox and an internet connection. There is no minimum macOS version of our own and no difference between Apple silicon and Intel Macs. Your groomers can use the Doxford staff app on iPhone or Android to see their day and check pets in and out.Appointments and online booking
See the day, week or month per groomer. Clients book on your own booking page or a widget on your salon website; dates you block out and times already taken can't be requested. Recurring appointments cover the dogs who come every six weeks.
Client and pet records
Breed, coat notes, the blade and style last time, temperament, vaccines and the owner's contact details on one profile. Upload photos and documents to it.Reminders and invoices
Automatic email reminders before each appointment (text reminders too, paid per message) cut no-shows. Invoice in one click, take card payments online through Stripe or PayPal, and see earnings per service in the financial report.
The full tour of grooming features is on the pet grooming software page. The same account also runs pet sitting, dog walking and boarding on a Mac in the same way.
Free grooming software for Mac, up to a limit
Yes, up to a point, and here is exactly where that point is. Doxford is free while you have up to 5 clients. There is no time limit on that and no credit card at sign-up. You get the same app as paying customers: the client and pet records, the calendar, your online booking page, invoices and online payments, check-ins and the staff app.
When your client list grows past 5, Doxford asks you to subscribe before you create anything new. The plan is $39.90 a month, or $24.90 a month billed yearly, plus $10.00 a month for each extra active staff member. Your existing clients, pets and history stay where they are either way.
Two honest footnotes: text message reminders are paid per message on every plan, and booking pages on the free plan show a small "Powered by Doxford" link.
Doxford for other pet businesses
Coty Cortez K9Elite Dog Training
This is easily the most quickly developing software I have seen for the pet profession industry. It literally gets updated daily with new features. I personally have worked with the developer and he takes every idea I have into consideration when it comes to implementation. He cares about his clients and their needs which is my favorite thing about Doxford. I can't tell you how many thousands of dollars I have spent on companies with difficult software that was to lazy to make it better. This is a must for new and experienced pet professionals alike.