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Shepherd Veterinary Software Review 2026
Key takeaway: PIMS built by a vet who got it
What Is Shepherd Veterinary Software?
Shepherd Veterinary Software positions itself with a refreshingly honest tagline: "PIMS built by a vet who got it." Founded in 2020 and headquartered in the USA, Shepherd was created by a practicing veterinarian who experienced firsthand the frustrations of clunky, overpriced practice management software. That origin story is reflected in every design decision throughout the platform.
Shepherd is a fully cloud-based system designed specifically for small animal, general practice, start-up practices. It is not trying to be everything to everyone. Instead, it focuses on delivering core PIMS functionality with an exceptionally intuitive interface. We found the learning curve to be among the shortest of any system we tested, which is a major advantage for practices that cannot afford weeks of staff training.
At just $299/mo with a per veterinarian/month ($99 each additional vet) model, Shepherd is one of the most affordable cloud-based PIMS options available. They also offer a 50% discount for new practices, making it an especially attractive choice for veterinarians opening their first clinic.
Founded
2020
Deployment
Cloud-based
Headquarters
USA
Users
Growing rapidly
Key Features
We evaluated every major feature of Shepherd Veterinary Software. Here is a breakdown of what the platform offers.
Intuitive EMR
Clean, distraction-free medical records designed by a veterinarian. Entering SOAP notes and treatment plans feels fast and natural.
Appointment scheduling
A visual scheduling board with drag-and-drop functionality, color-coded appointment types, and multi-provider views.
Client communication
Built-in messaging for appointment reminders, follow-ups, and general client correspondence.
Invoicing
Straightforward invoicing tied directly to treatment plans, with automatic charge capture to reduce missed revenue.
Inventory tracking
Track stock levels, set low-stock alerts, and manage ordering without the complexity of enterprise inventory systems.
Automated reminders
Set up vaccination, wellness, and follow-up reminders that go out automatically based on patient records.
Whiteboard
A real-time hospital whiteboard showing all patients currently in-house, their status, and assigned staff.
Treatment plans
Create and share treatment plans with clients, including cost estimates and procedure details.
Pros and Cons
After testing Shepherd Veterinary Software extensively, here is our honest assessment of its strengths and weaknesses.
Pros
- Built by a veterinarian — understands real workflows
- Very intuitive interface
- Affordable for startups
- 50% discount for new practices
Cons
- Newer platform with fewer advanced features
- Smaller ecosystem of integrations
- Less suitable for very large hospitals
Pricing Analysis
Understanding the true cost of Shepherd Veterinary Software is essential before committing. Here is what we found.
Shepherd Veterinary Software
Per veterinarian/month ($99 each additional vet)
Starting price. Contact vendor for exact quote.
Key features included
- Intuitive EMR
- Appointment scheduling
- Client communication
- Invoicing
- Inventory tracking
- +3 more features
Pricing Details
- Model: Per veterinarian/month ($99 each additional vet)
- Starting at: $299/month
- Free trial: Yes
- Free plan: No
Our Value Assessment
At $299/mo, Shepherd Veterinary Software is positioned at the premium end of the market. The higher price point reflects the depth of features available, but practices should ensure they need that level of functionality before committing.
Who Is Shepherd Veterinary Software Best For?
Based on our testing, Shepherd Veterinary Software is the strongest fit for the following practice types.
Start-up practices
Shepherd Veterinary Software's straightforward setup and affordable pricing make it ideal for newer or smaller practices that need to get running quickly without a steep learning curve.
Small clinics
Shepherd Veterinary Software's straightforward setup and affordable pricing make it ideal for newer or smaller practices that need to get running quickly without a steep learning curve.
Solo veterinarians
Solo veterinarians benefit from Shepherd Veterinary Software's streamlined interface that does not require a dedicated IT team or admin staff to manage.
Who Should Look Elsewhere?
No software is perfect for every practice. Here are situations where Shepherd Veterinary Software may not be the best fit.
- Large multi-location hospital groups that need advanced customization, complex workflow engines, and deep enterprise reporting should consider ezyVet or Vetspire instead.
- Specialty and emergency practices with complex clinical requirements may find Shepherd's feature set too streamlined for their needs. It is purpose-built for general practice, not referral hospitals.
- Practices that rely heavily on a broad ecosystem of third-party integrations should evaluate whether Shepherd's smaller but growing integration library meets their needs.
How Shepherd Veterinary Software Compares
Here is a quick look at how Shepherd Veterinary Software stacks up against some key competitors.
| Software | Starting Price | Avg Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shepherd Veterinary Software (this review) | From $299/mo | 4.8/5.0 | Start-up practices |
| Digitail | From $299/mo | 4.8/5.0 | Growing practices |
| VetBadger | From $99/mo | 4.5/5.0 | Small practices |
| DaySmart Vet | From $116/mo | 4.3/5.0 | Client communication |
Ratings shown are averages from Capterra. Pricing reflects publicly available starting prices and may vary based on practice size.
Spot incorrect data? Report it
We verify all data manually but pricing and features change. If something looks off, let us know and we'll update it within 48 hours.
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Final Verdict
Shepherd is our top recommendation for start-up practices, solo veterinarians, and small clinics that want a modern, intuitive PIMS without paying enterprise prices. At $299/mo (with a 50% discount for new practices), it delivers outstanding value. The fact that it was built by a veterinarian shows in every interaction with the software.