Fuzzy raises $44 million to further enhance the pet health experience
The company will use this funding to grow its network of veterinary professionals, provide additional financial offerings, develop its educational content, and more.
This article was updated on November 23, 2021.
Fuzzy—the digital pet care company—has raised $44 million dollars to further its mission of ensuring digital veterinary care is accessible and affordable to all. This round was led by Icon Ventures, with existing investors Greycroft, Matrix and Crosscut participating.
According to a company release, Fuzzy also secured investment from owners of veterinary practice groups in the US, UK and Germany and from distinguished individuals including Mark Vadon—former chairman of Chewy—and Jose E. Feliciano—founder of Clearlake Capital Group—with 25% of the capital raised from underrepresented populations (ie, female, Black, LatinX, LGBTQ+).
This round allows Fuzzy to expand its network of veterinary professionals, develop and release new product offerings and categories, grow its educational content, provide additional financial offerings, and continue to accelerate new member growth. Through these initiatives Fuzzy will be able to offer more comprehensive digital veterinary care to transform the pet health experience.
Fuzzy is the first “digitally native pet health provider,” eradicating financial and geographical barriers that inhibit access to quality care. The company offers 24/7 live chat and telehealth, ship-to-home prescriptions, vet-curated items in its e-commerce marketplace, educational content, and programs for nutrition, training, and obedience—saving pet owners up to $750 a year on healthcare expenses, according to the release.
“Pet care has become so prohibitively expensive that it's leading to some shockingly sad statistics around euthanasia and pet abandonment. With the explosion of pet adoption we've also seen veterinary clinics be overrun, causing scarcity of appointments and veterinarian burn out,” said Zubin Bhettay, co-founder and CEO of Fuzzy.
“We believe the industry has to find new ways to address the strain on veterinarians and use technology to deliver care efficiently, where possible. Fuzzy is making it possible for veterinary clinics to free up their schedules and use their time more productively,” he added.
What’s more, Fuzzy is developing its veterinary clinic program currently operational in 25 locations. The program collaborates with clinics to deploy and incorporate telemedicine for their patients, enabling them to receive care even after the brick-and-mortar clinic has closed for the day. This results in greater flexibility with patient treatment and improved availability for in-person urgent appointments.
“Fuzzy is rethinking how pets and their owners receive veterinary care in a way that’s improving outcomes, as well as relieving strain on the veterinarians themselves,” said Tom Mawhinney, general partner at Icon Ventures. “We believe telemedicine and Fuzzy’s always-on approach to care will transform pet ownership for millions of households across the U.S. and the globe, very similarly to how telemedicine has reshaped human patient and doctor care for the better.”
Fuzzy also plans to partner with animal rescue organizations and shelters to provide an easier transition as new pet parents welcome home pets.
Reference
Fuzzy revolutionizes pet health, transforming $100B pet care industry. News release. Fuzzy. November 22, 2021. Accessed November 22, 2021. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/11/22/2339051/0/en/Fuzzy-Revolutionizes-Pet-Health-Transforming-100B-Pet-Care-Industry.html
