CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for pet care services (except veterinary) in Charleston, SC
Pet care services (except veterinary) in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area: 85 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 10-person team.
- Establishments
- 85CBP 2023
- Employees
- 810mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 9.8U.S. 7.5
- Rank
- 55th of 667areas by count
How many pet care services (except veterinary) are in Charleston, SC?
There were 85 pet care services (except veterinary) in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 812910, Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services). Together they reported 810 mid-March employees and $27.4 million of payroll for the year. That ranks 55th of the 667 metro and micropolitan areas where Census published a count for this industry.
With 870,000 residents in the Census 2024 estimate, that is 9.8 pet care services (except veterinary) per 100,000 people, 30.1% above the national rate of 7.5. Establishments average 9.5 employees, 39.0% above the U.S. average of 6.9. Payroll per employee comes to $33,837, 20.6% above the national $28,047.
| Measure | Charleston, SC | South Carolina | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 85 | 437 | 25,551 |
| Mid-March employees | 810 | 3,070 | 175,116 |
| Annual payroll | $27,408,000 (moderate noise) | $85,197,000 | $4,911,421,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 9.5 | 7.0 | 6.9 |
| Payroll per employee | $33,837 | $27,751 | $28,047 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 9.8 | 8.0 | 7.5 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at pet care services (except veterinary) in Charleston, SC
Of the pet care services (except veterinary) in Charleston, SC that had employees in March 2023, 48.8% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 57.7%). 66.7% had fewer than ten. For a business of a few people, phone coverage is a staffing question as much as a technology one: someone has to be free to pick up, or the call needs somewhere sensible to go.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 41 | 48.8% | 57.7% |
| 5–9 employees | 15 | 17.9% | 20.0% |
| 10–19 employees | 19 | 22.6% | 14.2% |
| 20–49 employees | 9 | 10.7% | 7.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 0 | 0.0% | 0.8% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a pet care business in Charleston, SC has to catch
Groomers, boarding kennels and pet sitters take bookings and status calls from owners who want to know their pet is fine. Clear communication keeps clients loyal.
Calls a pet care business in Charleston, SC might handle in a typical week include:
- An owner calls about boarding availability for a holiday.
- An owner calls to check on a boarded dog.
- An owner calls to book grooming.
After-hours calls
Owners traveling may call outside business hours.
Callata transcribes voicemail and triages it for urgency, so the first callback in the morning can go to the caller who needs it most.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for pet care services (except veterinary) in Charleston, SC
The average pet care business in Charleston, SC has 9.5 employees, so a 10-person team is a reasonable benchmark. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $249.50 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $300.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). On Callata the same 10 people cost $199.00 a month, less than either per-seat plan.
The annual difference against RingCentral's monthly list price comes to $1,212. Some vendors discount annual contracts; the table shows month-to-month prices.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $199.00 | $2,388.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $190.00 | $2,280.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $230.00 | $2,760.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $249.50 | $2,994.00 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $270.00 | $3,240.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $300.00 | $3,600.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Charleston, SC
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 2 area codes. 843 has the most, with 267 of 330 exchanges (81%). Callata's plan includes up to 3 local numbers; you can pick them in the area codes your pet owners recognize, subject to carrier inventory, or port the number you already have for free.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 843 | 267 | Eastern | 1998 | 854 |
| 854 | 63 | Eastern | 2015 | 843 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What pet care services (except veterinary) in Charleston, SC get with Callata
Callata Office costs $99 per month for up to 5 people, and each additional user is $20 a month. That covers up to 3 local numbers, calling from a browser or your cell, transcribed voicemail, recorded calls with AI summaries, after-hours routing and E911 on each number.
If you already have a number in Charleston, SC, porting it to Callata is free. Texting from a local number requires a one-time carrier registration (10DLC, $49), and the numbers available in any area code depend on carrier inventory when you choose them.
Optional AI agents (receptionist, sales, support or scheduler) can answer calls after hours or when nobody picks up, take messages, text, email and transfer to your team. They are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute, identify themselves as AI, and may only place outbound calls to people who consented, between 8am and 9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many pet care services (except veterinary) are there in Charleston, SC?
Census County Business Patterns counted 85 pet care services (except veterinary) in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area in 2023. They employed 810 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 10-person pet care business?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 10 users cost $300.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $249.50 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $199.00.
What area code should a pet care business in Charleston, SC use?
Area code 843 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 854. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a pet care business?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.