If you try to book a consultation for a pet that's shared with you and get a Booking access restricted message, don't worry — nothing is broken. It's a permission setting, and the pet's owner can switch it back on in a few seconds.
What you'll see
A message reading: "Booking access restricted — You don't have permission to schedule vet calls for this pet. Please contact the pet owner for access."
Why it happens
When a pet is shared with family members, the owner controls what each person can do. One of those permissions covers booking vet calls. If it's turned off for you, booking is blocked — for that pet only. You'll still be able to do everything else your permissions allow.
Please note: new family members are given permission to book calls by default, so if it's off, the pet's owner has turned it off at some point.
How to fix it: if the pet is shared with you
Ask the pet's owner to switch your booking permission back on. There's nothing you can change from your side.
How to fix it: if you're the pet's owner
- Open your family sharing settings.
- Choose the family member.
- Turn their permission to book vet calls back on.
They'll be able to book straight away — they may need to leave and reopen the screen.
For how family sharing and permissions work in general, see the Family Sharing section of this help centre.
Booking for your own pets is fine
This message only ever applies to pets shared with you by someone else. Pets on your own account are always bookable.
What the owner sees when you book
Once you have permission, a consultation you book shows your profile picture on the consultation row alongside the vet and the pet, so the owner can see who arranged it.
When to contact support
If the pet's owner has enabled the permission and you still can't book after reopening the app, contact Ask A Vet support with the pet's name. [CONFIRM: support contact channel — email address or in-app route.]
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