June 3, 2021
-
The pandemic has made us rethink mostly everything we have made routine in our lives. From grocery shopping to going to the gym, there is a premium on having everything be brought to our homes. The same now extends for medical services and not just for us, but for our pets as well. Vetster, a Toronto-based startup that offers virtual veterinary and pet care services, is bringing veterinarian services to the comfort of our own homes. Vetster currently boasts a roster of over 1,800 licensed veterinary professionals throughout Canada and the United States with 24/7 appointment access for users. Pet owners can select the vets and technicians that are within their area, their needs, and their budget, so that their best friends can get the best care.
Just six months after its launch in November of 2020, Vetster roared to a $12.25 million Series A funding round. The round was led by Whitecap Venture Partners with additional participation from Brightspark Ventures, Hedgewood, and angels such as Wealthsimple’s CEO Michael Katchen. This comes after Vetster had exceeded initial growth targets by 250%. The funding will go towards expanding Vetster’s presence in the telemedicine field, including the launch of its new mobile app for iOS and Android, which is scheduled for early June 2021.
While it is currently the largest online veterinary platform available today, CEO and co-founder Mark Bordo wants it to be “the leading platform used around the world”. The new funding will help Vetster in its vision of expanding into new regions like Asia, Europe, the UK, and Australia. With “pandemic puppies” in high demand pushing pet ownership to an all-time high, telemedicine has become a hotbed for immense growth and Vetster is at the forefront of the evolution of veterinary services. Perhaps pets will appreciate having the vets come to them for a change!
Author: Nisheet Karthikeyan
Comments