Guest author: Salomé Beyer Vélez
By 2030, the global pet industry is projected to grow to $500 billion, primarily driven by an increase in the global pet population and the premiumization of food and services. This projection comes at a post-pandemic time in which working from home is now the norm for many, which has led to individuals seeking new animal companions.
However, many of the pets that are adopted from shelters or rescued from the streets are returned or abandoned. In the United Kingdom, pet abandonment remains an issue that activists, NGOs and policymakers contend with. In fact, while in conversation with Entrepreneur UK, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) reported that abandonment has reached record levels since 2020.
The organization noted that, in 2024, 15% of pet owners regret owning an animal, resulting from a combination of factors such as the rising costs of living, the booming pet ownership following the COVID-19 pandemic, lack of experience, and demanding schedules.
“It is often the result of a mismatch between owners’ expectations and the reality of looking for a pet,” the RSPCA notes.
Dosty, an all-in-one pet care app, seeks to tackle this issue. The Azerbaijani start-up supports both new and experienced pet owners in caring for their furry family members through several innovative tools.
“The issue of pet abandonment is compounded by another alarming statistic: approximately 36 million pets die annually due to mismanagement. Both phenomena share a common cause – limited access to immediate, reliable help and personalized guidance,” Dosty’s CEO Ayaz Ahmadov told 150sec.
In just over five months since its live launch, Dosty has reached 17’000 new users, including 3,700 registered active users in the UK. “This rapid growth highlights the app’s resonance with pet owners looking for comprehensive support,” Ahmadov added.
A personal touch: the story of Dosty
Founded in Azerbaijan in 2022, Dosty began due to Ahmadov’s personal need. “As a pet parent to three dogs, I understand firsthand the challenges pet owners face daily – from managing healthcare needs to ensuring they’re happy and well-cared-for,” the CEO stated.
First, the entrepreneur developed a comprehensive and reliable symptom checker in collaboration with 12 UK-based veterinary experts. Today, this non-AI solution helps identify over 300 potential health issues related to 65 common symptoms, reducing veterinary costs and providing pet parents peace of mind.
“It was essential to build a feature that pet owners could truly trust for assessing health concerns – especially with the global shortage of veterinarians and the high cost and logical hurdles many face to access care,” he stated.
Dosty users also benefit from an AI assistant, which provides personalized advice and insights tailored to each pet’s unique characteristics; in addition to educational resources, including a comprehensive library of over 600 articles and video tutorials; and lifestyle tools with interactive widgets to track pets’ well-being.
“By addressing both abandonment and mismanagement, Dosty provides a holistic solution to ensure pets thrive, even amidst rising living costs and the challenges of new pet ownership,” Ahmadov notes.
With the pandemic boom in pet ownership, the CEO also observes that the app’s behavioral training and etiquette guidance tool is especially useful for the owners of newly-adopted pets, as well as the anxiety-related guidance for pets struggling with separation or environmental stress.
Impact in the UK: Supporting pet parents and combatting abandonment
Recent data highlights that 51% of the UK population owns a pet, and 38% of these individuals indicated that they are new pet owners. However, when merged with the alarming rise in abandonment, this statistic can be worrisome.
“Impulse buys and poor research into the suitability of a pet can lead to a heart-breaking experience for families who subsequently have to rehome pets, but can also have a significant impact on the welfare of the animal,” stated Anna Judson, President of the British Veterinary Association.
As per the RSPCA, individuals in the UK may decide to abandon their pets because of behavioural problems, high vet bills, or inexperience with raising animals. And with the looming cost of living crisis in the country, it is no surprise that Dosty has been warmly received by UK audiences.
Beyond supporting pet parents, its mission in the UK is to also combat abandonment and mismanagement by addressing the critical gaps between what users have access to, and what they need.
Presently, Dosty is exploring partnerships with major veterinary clinics, insurance providers, and community organizations to increase their B2B presence. With this, Ahmadov hopes to enhance the reach and impact of the platform, offering additional value to pet owners through integrated services.
“Discussions are progressing well, and we hope to announce some of these exciting collaborations in the near future,” Ahmadov concluded.