The pet services industry is booming as more people consider their pets part of the family, seeking everything from grooming and training to veterinary care and pet boarding. To keep up with this growing demand, pet service providers rely on specialized software to manage appointments, client information, and financial transactions. 

However, many pet service businesses face challenges with outdated, fragmented payment systems that slow down transactions, disrupt customer experiences, and complicate financial management. Customers expect seamless, secure, and flexible payment options, whether paying for grooming sessions, training packages, boarding, or veterinary services. 

This is where Payment Facilitation as a Service (PayFac as a Service) becomes a game-changer for pet services software providers. By embedding payment processing directly into their platforms, software providers can offer pet businesses a frictionless way to handle payments, streamline operations, and unlock new revenue opportunities—all without the complexities of becoming a registered payment facilitator. 

Understanding PayFac as a Service in Pet Services Software 

PayFac as a Service is a modern payment processing model that enables software providers—such as those serving the pet services industry—to seamlessly integrate and manage payments within their platform without taking on the full operational and regulatory burdens of becoming a registered payment facilitator. 

In essence, PayFac as a Service allows pet services software providers to offer embedded payment processing under a master merchant account managed by a third-party provider like Clearent by Xplor. This approach enables pet service businesses to accept payments directly within their software platform, providing a frictionless payment experience for both businesses and their clients. 

Related Blog: What is PayFac as a Service?  

6 Benefits of Adopting PayFac as a Service for Pet Services Software Providers 

Adopting PayFac as a Service provides pet services software providers with a powerful way to streamline payments, improve operational efficiency, and unlock new revenue streams. By integrating embedded payments into their platforms, software providers can offer a seamless solution to pet services businesses while avoiding the costly and complex process of becoming a fully registered payment facilitator. 

1. Reduced Complexity and Lower Costs 

Becoming a traditional Payment Facilitator requires a significant investment, with upfront costs exceeding $500,000 and ongoing expenses in the hundreds of thousands. For most pet services software providers, this isn’t a viable or necessary option. 

PayFac as a Service eliminates the need for pet services software companies to navigate complex payment processing regulations, compliance, and risk management. A third-party provider handles these responsibilities, allowing software providers to focus on their core features while offering integrated payment solutions to pet service businesses. 

2. Faster Market Entry & Seamless Merchant Onboarding 

Pet service providers want to start accepting payments immediately without enduring long approval processes from traditional payment processors. PayFac as a Service enables instant merchant onboarding, allowing businesses to process payments within minutes, not weeks. 

For pet services software providers, this rapid setup offers a competitive advantage. They can quickly deploy payment capabilities without waiting for compliance approvals or complex integrations. Clearent’s Automated Onboarding solution even includes hardware ordering, so pet service providers can sign up and simultaneously order terminals and card readers for in-person payments. This faster time to market leads to quicker revenue generation for software providers and enhances user experience and product adoption. 

3. Streamlined Payment Processing for Pet Service Providers 

Pet services businesses often juggle multiple payment methods, from credit cards and debit cards to contactless payments and mobile wallets. Managing these diverse options can be overwhelming and time-consuming. 

With PayFac as a Service, pet services software providers can offer streamlined, all-in-one payment processing solutions that simplify transactions for their clients. This unified approach reduces administrative burdens, minimizes errors, and ensures that payments are processed quickly and securely. 

4. Enhanced Security and Compliance 

Payment security and regulatory compliance are critical in the pet services industry, where sensitive customer and payment data must be protected. Navigating complex regulations like PCI-DSS compliance can be daunting for software providers. 

PayFac as a Service providers handle these security and compliance requirements, offering built-in fraud prevention tools and secure payment processing environments. This not only protects pet service providers from potential breaches but also instills trust and confidence in their customers. 

5. Increased Revenue Opportunities for Software Providers 

One of the biggest advantages of PayFac as a Service is the ability for pet services software providers to monetize payment transactions. Instead of solely offering software, providers can: 

  • Earn a share of payment processing fees from every transaction 
  • Create bundled pricing models that combine payments with software features 
  • Offer value-added payment services, like financing options or fraud protection 

For pet services software providers, PayFac as a Service offers a cost-effective, scalable, and revenue-generating solution for integrating seamless payments. It removes compliance and risk burdens, enables faster onboarding, and provides new income opportunities, making it an ideal choice for software companies looking to enhance their offerings and gain a competitive edge in the pet services industry. 

6. Improved Customer Experience and Retention 

Pet service providers thrive on delivering exceptional customer experiences, and seamless payment processing plays a crucial role in this. Long wait times, declined transactions, and complicated payment processes can frustrate customers and drive them away. 

By integrating PayFac as a Service, pet services software providers can offer their clients a smoother, faster, and more reliable payment experience. This not only improves customer satisfaction but also fosters loyalty and retention, helping pet service businesses grow and succeed. 

Decision Factors for Businesses Considering PayFac as a Service 

Businesses contemplating PayFac as a Service should consider several factors to determine if it aligns with their needs: 

  • Resource Availability: Assess if the business has the necessary resources and expertise to manage a traditional PayFac model (upfront and long term), or if a more streamlined approach like PayFac as a Service is preferable. 
  • Cost Considerations: Evaluate the financial implications, including the upfront investment and ongoing operational costs, of both models. 
  • Business Growth and Scalability: Consider the business’s growth trajectory and how each model can accommodate future expansion and scalability needs. 
  • Appetite for Risk Management and Compliance: Determine the level of involvement the business is willing to have in managing risks and compliance related to payment processing. 
  • Customer Experience: Reflect on the impact each model will have on the customer experience, especially in terms of payment options and transaction security. 
  • Market Dynamics: Understand the market dynamics and how quickly the business needs to adapt to changing customer preferences and technological advancements. 

Choosing the Right Partner 

Not all PayFac as a Service providers are created equal. To maximize the benefits for MedSpa software platforms, it’s essential to choose a partner that offers: 

  • Industry Experience – Look for a provider that understands MedSpa operations, including appointment-based transactions, membership billing, and the regulatory requirements surrounding healthcare-related payments. 
  • Seamless API Integration – The provider should offer developer-friendly APIs that easily integrate with your existing MedSpa software, ensuring a smooth and intuitive user experience. 
  • Low-Code Solutions – A provider that offers low-code or no-code integration options can help MedSpa software platforms quickly embed payments without extensive development work. This speeds up deployment, reduces IT costs, and makes payment integration more accessible to businesses with limited engineering resources. 
  • Customizable Payment Solutions – MedSpas require flexible payment options, including one-time payments, recurring memberships, installment plans, and digital wallets. A PayFac as a Service provider should offer customizable solutions to support these diverse payment needs. 
  • Fast Merchant Onboarding – MedSpa owners should be able to sign up and start processing payments within minutes—not days or weeks. A provider with automated underwriting and onboarding capabilities ensures a frictionless experience. 
  • Security & Compliance Management – PCI compliance, fraud detection, and chargeback management should be handled by the provider, minimizing risk for both MedSpa businesses and the software provider. 
  • Revenue-Sharing Opportunities – The best providers enable software platforms to earn revenue from payment processing, creating an additional income stream without added complexity. 

Wrap Up 

The pet services industry is evolving rapidly, and software providers must offer more than just scheduling and client management—they need seamless, integrated payment solutions to stay competitive. PayFac as a Service simplifies payment processing by eliminating compliance burdens, reducing costs, and enabling instant merchant onboarding. It also supports flexible payment options, such as memberships, subscriptions, and installment plans, making it easier for pet service providers to manage transactions and enhance client experiences. 

Beyond operational benefits, PayFac as a Service unlocks new revenue opportunities by allowing software providers to earn revenue from payment processing fees. Instead of relying on third-party payment processors, pet services software companies can provide a fully integrated, all-in-one solution that increases customer loyalty and differentiates them in the market. 

Want to start maximizing your embedded payments revenue with PayFac as a Service? 

Connect with a payments consultant 

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by Clearent by Xplor

  • First published: February 13 2025

    Written by: Clearent by Xplor