Frustrated by subpar petcare, Hyderabad pet parents launched game changing platform

Laxmikanth Puducherri, a pet parent from Hyderabad, embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with a simple yet transformative idea for pet care. What began as an aggregator app has since evolved into a comprehensive service provider, offering direct pet care solutions to a growing base of loyal customers.

As a pet owner juggling the responsibilities of his two pets—from vet appointments to sourcing food and daily essentials—Laxmikanth and his wife realized there had to be an easier way. This sparked the idea for an app that could simplify pet care for people like them, leading to the birth of Petfolk, a one-stop platform connecting pet parents with essential pet services.

From Aggregator to Direct Service Provider

Initially launched as an aggregator app, Laxmikanth and his team soon identified a gap in the pet care market. Independent service providers struggled to meet the high standards pet owners expected. Realizing the need for a more reliable option, they decided to shift from an aggregator model to providing services directly. Their first venture into this was mobile pet grooming.

“We understand how much pet owners love their pets,” Laxmikanth explained in an exclusive interview with Startup Pedia, adding, “When someone trusts us with their pet, it’s like they’re entrusting us with a family member.” 

To meet this trust head-on, Petfolk introduced state-of-the-art mobile grooming vans, fondly dubbed the “Chalta Firta Pet Ecosystem.” These custom-designed vans feature switchable glass, allowing pet owners to watch the grooming process in real time, thus enhancing transparency and trust. 

This service resonated strongly with Hyderabad's pet owners. When logistical challenges arose, such as traffic delays, Petfolk adapted by introducing grooming bikes to provide the same quality of care with greater convenience.

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Affordable Pet Care at Your Doorstep

The petcare startup Petfolk focuses on convenience and affordability. “At Petfolk, we prioritize making quality pet services accessible to all,” says Laxmikanth during the Startup Pedia interview. 

While traditional grooming centers may charge around Rs. 1,000, Petfolk offers comparable services for Rs. 900 directly at customers’ homes. This competitive pricing has earned them a dedicated customer base. 

“So far, we’ve served over 40,000 pets, with 2,000-3,000 being repeat customers. This solid foundation has driven recurring business,” Laxmikanth shared during the conversation with Startup Pedia. 

Building on this success, Petfolk has diversified into pet food, clothing, and insurance plans, creating multiple revenue streams. Notably, a partnership with Drools, a leading pet food brand, allows Petfolk to distribute samples during grooming sessions, strengthening customer loyalty. 

Petfolk’s Institute for Certified Pet Groomers

The initial months were challenging for Petfolk, with little to no revenue in the first six to nine months. Recognizing the need for a shift, Laxmikanth reinvested around Rs. 1 crore in the business, launching mobile grooming vans, which marked a turning point. Petfolk began generating steady revenue, even meeting tax obligations—a proud milestone that underscored the brand’s growth.

As the company expanded, it introduced physical grooming centers, strategically located in Bandra, Hyderabad, and Vizag, while also extending mobile services to Goa. Today, each mobile van generates between Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 20,000 daily, with the grooming center in Rajahmundry bringing in around Rs. 15,000 per day. 

To address a scarcity of trained pet groomers, Petfolk established a grooming institute, equipping their staff with expert training and certification to maintain high service standards.

Beyond Grooming: Petfolk Broadens Its Pet Care Offerings

Following its success in Hyderabad, Petfolk is expanding, with new branches opening in Rajahmundry and plans for centers in Mumbai, Goa, and Visakhapatnam. Partnering with local authorities, they aim to establish grooming hubs in public spaces, enhancing accessibility across both urban and rural areas. 

The pet care startup now meets broader pet care needs, from insurance to toys and premium pet products. “In smaller cities, premium pet food can be hard to find,” Laxmikanth explained during the conversation with Startup Pedia, “so we’re developing a nutritional supplement as a food topper to bridge dietary gaps in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.”

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Aiming for the Top: Petfolk’s Path to a Rs. 2,000 Crore Valuation

What began with minimal finances has grown into a thriving business. Petfolk reported Rs. 1 crore in revenue last year, paying close to Rs. 18 lakh in GST, and is now valued at Rs. 35 crore. Looking ahead, they aim to reach Rs. 2,000 crore within the next decade, with growth strategies focused on expansion, new valuations in January, and a potential celebrity partnership.

For Laxmikanth, who left a stable career abroad to build Petfolk from the ground up, the journey combines inspiration with strategic foresight. His goal is to make Petfolk a leader in pet care, setting new industry standards. 

With metro cities as the hub for direct services and an expanding product line for smaller towns, Petfolk is positioning itself for sustainable growth.

Vision and the Road Ahead

Petfolk’s vision is to capture India’s pet care market across cities and towns, beginning with high-quality pet grooming services that emphasize accessibility and affordability. Recognizing that skilled grooming is essential, Petfolk has sourced aspiring groomers from Northeast states like Manipur, investing in their training and offering stipends to build a skilled team.

The future looks bright as Petfolk prepares to expand. Additional outlets are planned for Hyderabad by Sankranti, and they’re launching grooming bikes in Goa to reach even more pet owners. The eagerly anticipated pet supplements are scheduled for launch in January, with an affordable monthly price of Rs. 300-400.

Looking forward, Laxmikanth shared, at the end of the Startup Pedia interview, “The path ahead may be challenging, but Petfolk’s foundation of affordability, accessibility, and quality will be a game-changer in India’s pet care industry. Through Petfolk, we’re not just grooming pets; we’re creating happy, healthy lives for them.” 

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