Starting today, booking a relief shift takes two steps instead of three. When you apply, you're confirming you'll work the shift. If the practice doesn't reject your application, you're booked automatically on the date and time shown. There's no separate confirmation step!
Summary - How a relief shift is booked now
You apply and confirm you're available and your credentials are current.
You're booked automatically on the date and time shown on your application, unless the practice rejects you first. The practice can also book you sooner.
Once you're booked, the shift appears in the Booked section of your Shifts › Bookings page.
Why did we change the shift booking process and introduce auto-booking?
We changed booking so you can lock in shifts faster and always know where you stand. Under the old process, you had to apply, wait for the practice to approve you, then come back and confirm. Many applications were never answered by the practice, so relief professionals were left waiting without an answer. Approvals that were confirmed too late sometimes meant the shift had already been filled another way.
Here’s what’s better now:
No more waiting without an answer. If the practice doesn’t reject you, you’re booked automatically on the date and time shown.
One less step. Applying is your confirmation, so you never miss a shift because you didn’t confirm in time.
You know your booking time up front. You’ll see exactly when you’ll be booked before you even submit your application.
You always hear back. You’re notified when you’re booked, when someone else was booked, or when the practice decides not to move forward, so you can plan your schedule and look for other shifts.
A fair process. When several people apply, applicants are lined up in the order they applied, and the first in line is booked.
Easier to connect. A chat with the practice starts as soon as you apply, so you can ask questions or discuss details before the shift.
Flexibility before you’re booked. You can still withdraw your application at any time before you’re booked.
Note: The practice is responsible for arranging payment to you directly. It's best to clarify expectations with the practice before your shift.
When will I be booked?
If you apply 3 or more business days (Monday to Friday) before the shift starts, you'll be booked automatically 3 business days after you apply, but never later than 24 hours before the shift.
If you apply closer to the shift than 3 business days, the practice needs to approve you, and you won't be booked automatically.
If you apply from the older versions of Hound mobile app (before v1.7.0), your application follows the older process. Update to the latest version of the Hound app here:
| You apply 3+ business days before the shift | You apply less than 3 business days before the shift | Older process (Hound mobile app before v1.7.0, or applied before October 22, 2026) |
What you confirm when applying | That you’re available and your credentials are accurate and current. DVMs also confirm their state license and DEA registration and enter their license number | Same | Nothing extra |
What you see after applying | “This shift will be booked automatically on [date, time]” | The practice needs to approve your application | “Applied,” waiting for the practice |
When you’re booked | Automatically at the time shown, or sooner if the practice books you | Only when the practice approves you | When you confirm, after the practice approves you |
Do you need to confirm the shift? | No | No | Yes. Look for Confirm needed and confirm as soon as you can |
If the practice doesn’t respond | You’re booked automatically at the time shown | You’re not booked | You’re not booked |
If someone else is booked | You’re notified, and your application shows Not selected | You’re notified, and your application shows Not selected | Your application shows Closed |
If the practice rejects you | You’re notified and can’t reapply to that shift | You’re notified and can’t reapply to that shift | Your application shows Closed |
You don't need to count days: we show you the exact date and time when you apply.
1. Apply to the shift
On your Shifts page, click Apply on the shift card or shift details page. You can only apply to shifts for your position: DVMs to DVM shifts, technicians to technician shifts, etc.
Click Apply on any shift card.
Or click Apply from the shift details page.
Before you can submit your application, confirm that:
a. You're available for the shift's date and time.
b. Your credentials are accurate and current.
c. Veterinarians only: you hold a valid license in the shift's state and a DEA registration where applicable, and you've entered your license number. We'll fill it in from your profile when we can.Add a message with any negotiations or special requests, and attach files if you need to. Pro tip: a brief introduction about yourself helps you stand out.
Before you submit, the form shows when you'd be booked: "This shift will be booked automatically on [date, time] unless the practice rejects your application before then." For short-notice shifts, it tells you the practice needs to approve you.
Example of a shift that will be auto-booked
Example of a shift that needs practice approval (not auto-booked)
2. After you apply
You'll receive a confirmation email that your shift application was submitted. The shift moves to the Applied section of your Shifts › Bookings page, marked Awaiting practice with your booking date and time or Auto-books in __ days.
3. Getting booked for a shift
When you're booked, automatically or by the practice, you'll get an email and a notification on your Notifications page (make sure you have shift applications turned on in your notification settings). The shift moves to the Booked section of your Shifts › Bookings page. You don't need to do anything else, but we encourage you to connect with the practice before the shift starts to confirm payment details and any other expectations. The practice is responsible for paying you directly after the shift.
3. If you're not booked
Someone else was booked: if several people applied, the first in line is booked. Everyone else is told someone else was booked, and the application shows Not selected.
The practice rejected you: you'll be notified by email and on your Notifications page.
The practice deleted the shift: your application closes and you'll be notified.
4. Changed your mind about the shift?
Before you're booked, you can withdraw your application at any time by clicking Unapply on the shift from your Shifts › Bookings page.
After you're booked, you can cancel by clicking the Cancel button from your Shifts > Bookings page. The practice is notified and the shift reopens to other applicants. Please only apply to shifts you can work: practices are relying on you once you're booked.
5. Using the Hound mobile app
On app versions older than 1.7.0, shift applications use the older process: the practice approves you, then you confirm the shift in the app before it's booked. Update to the latest version to get automatic shift booking on mobile too.
If a practice approved you under the older process, you'll see Confirm needed on the shift. Confirm it as soon as you can: the shift isn't booked until you do.
Questions?
If you have any questions, click your profile image or initials in the top right corner, then Support › Chat with us.