What is 10DLC and do dog groomers need it?
Yes — if you send appointment reminders or confirmations by text from a US business number, those messages fall under 10DLC, the carrier registration system for application-to-person SMS. Without it, business texts get filtered or blocked. GroomBoard handles 10DLC registration and compliant sending on your behalf, so your reminders actually reach clients.
10DLC stands for "10-digit long code" — the standard local phone number format — and it refers to the registration US carriers require for businesses sending automated or bulk SMS from those numbers. Since mid-2023, unregistered business texting is subject to heavy carrier filtering, which means reminders can silently fail to deliver.
For a dog groomer, this matters because appointment reminders are exactly the kind of application-to-person messaging 10DLC governs. If you were texting clients from a raw, unregistered number or tool, you would risk undelivered reminders and carrier-violation errors.
GroomBoard manages the 10DLC brand and campaign registration and sends reminders through a compliant, registered number, including STOP/START opt-out handling. You do not have to file paperwork with carriers yourself — the deliverability and compliance are handled as part of the service. See how reminders work below.
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Related questions
Do I have to register for 10DLC myself?
What happens without 10DLC registration?
Does 10DLC handle opt-outs?
More answers
How much does pet grooming software cost?
Most pet grooming software costs between about $20 and $200+ per month, depending on the tier, the number of groomers, and whether SMS texting is an extra add-on. GroomBoard is a flat $19/month (Solo) or $39/month (Salon) with SMS reminders included and a 14-day free trial — no setup fee and no per-message texting charges.
Is there free dog grooming software?
There are a few free or freemium grooming tools, but they typically cap the number of clients, leave out SMS reminders, or fund themselves with ads and paid add-ons. GroomBoard is not free, but at $19/month with a 14-day free trial (no credit card) it usually ends up cheaper than a "free" tool once you add the booking and texting features groomers actually rely on.
What software do dog groomers use?
Dog groomers use grooming-specific business software to handle online booking, calendar scheduling, client and pet records, and automated SMS reminders. Common options include GroomBoard, MoeGo, Gingr, DaySmart Pet, and Groomsoft — and independent or mobile groomers often choose a lighter, flat-priced tool like GroomBoard at $19/month.
Do dog groomers need insurance?
Yes — most working groomers carry general liability insurance plus pet-care (animal bailee) coverage, and it is often required before you can rent salon space or get a business license. For an independent groomer, combined coverage typically runs in the range of $30 to $60 per month, though it varies by location, coverage limits, and claims history.