Why are shelters switching from Shelter Buddy?
The most common reasons are weak admin/login controls, long learning curves, hidden features, and the everyday friction of a not-always-intuitive UI.
PawMates Pro vs Shelter Buddy: A Side-by-Side Comparison
Shelter Buddy has been around internationally for years, but recent reviews highlight weak admin controls, hidden features, and a long learning ramp. Here's how a modern alternative with role-based permissions compares.
How are PawMates Pro's permissions different?
Granular per-module permissions: for every module, admins can set view/add/edit/delete per user. Every action is captured in a comprehensive audit log filterable by person, pet, or module.
How long does the switch take?
1–2 days for off-site setup (data migration, configuration, profile, accounts, permissions), 1–2 hours on-site training. Most teams are productive day one.
Is the migration really free?
Yes. Free migration is included in every PawMates Pro plan.
What does PawMates Pro cost compared to Shelter Buddy?
PawMates Pro Rescue Free is $0/month for foster-first rescues (up to 25 active pets). Kennel shelter plans start at $149/month (Starter) and scale to Growing ($299), Pro ($599), and Large ($899) by intake volume. Rescue Plus is $79/month. Every plan includes unlimited users, free data migration, daily backups, and a free adopter app — no per-seat or per-adoption platform fees. Shelter Buddy pricing is quote-based; PawMates Pro publishes flat monthly tiers with unlimited users on every plan.