LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dogdrop, a Los Angeles-based dog care startup, today announces $2.9M in funding to scale convenient, tech-enabled dog care locations across the U.S. The latest funding was led by Fuel Capital with participation from Muse Capital, Animal Capital, Gaingels, The Helm and leaders in pet care including Mars PetCare and Garrett Smallwood, CEO of Wag! Dogdrop is also announcing the launch of their new franchise operations to meet the dramatic rise in demand for dog care services.
Dogdrop provides convenient and flexible dog care inspired by a new generation of dog parents who want a better quality alternative that fits their lifestyle. The modern, well-designed locations offer open play with a highly-trained staff, so dogs get the right mental and physical stimulation even if they’re only at Dogdrop for an hour or two. The flexibility of their payment options and encouragement of short, “quick stop” stays increases the accessibility of their services and opens up the market to users who don’t necessarily need all-day dog care.
Dogdrop launched out of Science Inc., the startup studio behind DogVacay, which went on to merge with Rover and is publicly trading today. Dogdrop opened its first location in January 2020 in Downtown Los Angeles just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and has supported the overwhelming wave of new dog parents and puppies as pet adoption hit all time highs.
On the heels of this momentum, Dogdrop is committed to finding the right multi-unit operating partners ready to own key market territories, along with real estate developers interested in doing multi-unit deals. Dogdrop is specifically seeking those who want to do dog care differently by offering a higher level of service, experience, and accessibility to the 90 million dogs in the U.S.
“Dogdrop is bringing a fresh approach to the traditional franchise model with hands-on support, from site selection to member retention,” said Shaina Denny, cofounder and CEO of Dogdrop. “This funding round allows us to provide a support system to see rapid payback and profitability for operating partners while keeping the quality of care and experience consistent and top-notch.”
Initial franchise expansion plans include the company’s Los Angeles footprint, along with growing mid-market cities such as Austin, TX; Denver, CO; Charlotte, NC; Salt Lake City, UT and more.
The company is led by Shaina Denny and Greer Wilk, two Los Angeles natives who are passionate about disrupting the paradigm of care in the pet services industry with a more holistic approach that starts with daycare and eventually addresses all of the most important aspects of dog wellness. To deliver on this, they are focused on spatial and product design that provides the most efficient, cohesive administrative and member experience possible for their physical and digital services.
About Dogdrop:
Dogdrop is a female-founded and venture-backed start-up based in Los Angeles with the mission to provide the best possible care, products, and services to dogs everywhere, so they live longer, happier and healthier lives. Dogdrop provides better, more accessible dog care with their physical locations for recreation and activity, and direct-to-consumer at-home essentials for dog parents. More information can be found at http://www.dogdrop.co/franchise.
