WITH 79 percent of the population in the Philippines owning a pet, one might think veterinary care would be as easily accessible as getting a haircut. Think again. With just one vet available for every 10,000 pet owners in the country, the reality is different. Introducing PetPal (petpal.asia), a platform by 917Ventures, the largest corporate venture builder in the Philippines. More than just a pet care app, PetPal aims to become a complete ecosystem focused on the health and joy of your pet.
I interviewed Carlo Flordeliza, the driving force behind PetPal, and Miguel Antonio Ibarra Guerrero, Entrepreneur-in-Residence at 917Ventures, to learn about PetPal's impact on pet health care and services. Flordeliza, a key player at 917Ventures, conceived PetPal to address an unmet need in online pet care. Inspired by a personal ordeal when his dog Pippin required urgent veterinary attention, he aimed to make veterinary services more accessible and promote responsible pet ownership through the platform.
“Our focus is on democratizing access to pet care services. Geography shouldn't dictate whether your pet receives the care they need. Our telehealth services are built on a strong network, helping us reach even the most remote areas,” Flordeliza explained.
Guerrero added that they've established partnerships with accredited labs in Metro Manila and other cities to streamline the diagnostic process. It is not just about expanding their reach. Quality remains a top priority. The platform aims to reduce the 10,000-to-1 pet-to-vet ratio, so PetPal collaborates with reputable vets across regions. This helps vets grow their practice, and pet owners get reliable services.
The platform offers various options, including a 99-peso chat consultation with vets catering to different budgets and needs. Home-based services, such as vaccinations and grooming, were introduced to eliminate the common hassles pet owners face, like traffic and travel-induced pet stress.
According to 2022 Rakuten Insight, the Philippines has around 20 million dogs and 8 million cats — a fact that underscores the opportunity for PetPal. The staggering figure alone opens a plethora of opportunities for PetPal, serving as a clear indication that they're not barking up the wrong tree.
“We aim to be your all-in-one pet care platform,” Guerrero emphasized, underlining the significance of offering multiple services under one umbrella.
“Based on user feedback, we're expanding into pet nutrition and diet. We're also launching an e-commerce section for pet food. We continually gather feedback after each telehealth consultation,” said Flordeliza.
Despite its recent launch in February, PetPal values constant feedback and is driven by their concern for pets. It's all about listening to the customer. What sets PetPal apart is its holistic approach. While there may be individual telehealth or pet product services out there, PetPal envisions becoming an aggregator. It aims to be a comprehensive service that covers everything from health care to product delivery for pets.
When asked about the role of partnerships in driving PetPal's mission, Guerrero elaborated on the firm's significant advantage: backing by the Ayala Corp., Globe Group and 917Ventures. This advantage enables partnerships like the one with Gogoro, a Taiwan-based smart scooter company. By integrating Gogoro's advanced battery-swapping technology, PetPal might also benefit from similar cross-industry collaborations.
Demand for pet care isn't just a Philippine trend; the Southeast Asian market rose to $1.6 billion in 2022. Projections suggest a climb to $3.08 billion within a decade. Acknowledging this sizable opportunity, 917Ventures is committed to advancing pet care through digital solutions, positioning the local industry for global competitiveness.
“We're very open to partnerships that will help us scale regionally,” said Guerrero.
In a landscape often lacking in full-scale pet care services, PetPal makes its mark as an agent of change. Offering services that stretch from telehealth consultations to home-based grooming, it goes beyond being just another app — it's a game-changer.
With the backing of solid investors and an unwavering commitment to listening to their users, PetPal is doing more than just meeting a need; it's raising the bar for pet care. Whether you're a pet lover or a would-be corporate ally, you'll want to keep tabs on PetPal. Don't miss their future updates as they continue to evolve the standards of pet wellness.
