Vetster
Vetster is a veterinary telehealth marketplace connecting pet owners with licensed veterinarians for 24/7 video, voice, and messaging consultations across 50+ countries and 20+ species. It monetizes via per-appointment fees, subscriptions (Vetster Plus), integrated pharmacy, and B2B partnerships including PetSmart.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2020
- HeadquartersToronto, Canada
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingDigital Commerce or Content
What Vetster does
Vetster is a veterinary telehealth marketplace founded in 2020 and headquartered in Toronto, Canada, with a UK subsidiary (Vetster UK Limited). The platform connects individual pet owners with thousands of licensed, actively practicing veterinarians via on-demand video, voice, and live messaging consultations available 24/7 across more than 50 countries and all 50 U.S. states, covering 20+ species including dogs, cats, birds, horses, reptiles, and pocket pets. The core technology is a dual-sided marketplace with automated medical record generation from consultation recordings, identity verification of both vets and pet owners (via Plaid), an integrated online pharmacy (VetsterRx), and mobile apps on iOS and Android. Vetster reports a 97% consultation resolution rate and maintains consumer ratings of 4.9 on Google and 4.8 on Trustpilot.
Vetster monetizes through a hybrid model: per-appointment consultation fees set by individual veterinarians plus a Vetster service fee (transaction-based), recurring subscription plans (Vetster Plus, Vetster Unlimited, Vetster Wellness) bundling appointments and unlimited messaging, pharmacy dispensing fees flowing through third-party pharmacy providers, and an affiliate/referral program. Average appointments are priced around $102, and the Vetster Plus subscription carries an estimated $408 annual value across four appointments. The go-to-market motion is primarily product-led growth via the web and mobile apps, supplemented by enterprise field sales — most notably a 2026 rollout embedding Vetster inside select PetSmart stores across the United States, an employer benefits channel targeting HR departments, and integration partnerships with Mella Pet Care (home diagnostic devices) and CitizenShipper (pet transportation). Three core customer segments are served: individual pet owners (primary), licensed veterinarians/clinics listing on the marketplace, and enterprises (employers, retail partners) accessing the platform as a distribution layer.
Total disclosed venture funding is approximately $87 million, comprising a Seed round of ~$7.4M (2020), a Series A of ~$30M led by Kensington Capital Partners (2022), and a $50M Series B in 2025. Headcount is in the 51–100 range. The company was named to Deloitte's Technology Fast 50 Companies-to-Watch (2024) and won the 2025 Pet Innovation Awards "Pet App of the Year." Recent strategic priorities evident in the data include state-level U.S. expansion (e.g., Florida, 2024), retail channel build-out (PetSmart), ecosystem integrations (Mella, CitizenShipper), and international scaling through the UK entity.
Vetster firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vetster
- Legal name
- Vetster Inc.
- Website
- https://vetster.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2020
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Vetster is a veterinary telehealth marketplace connecting pet owners with licensed veterinarians for 24/7 video, voice, and messaging consultations across 50+ countries and 20+ species. It monetizes via per-appointment fees, subscriptions (Vetster Plus), integrated pharmacy, and B2B partnerships including PetSmart.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vetster industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Veterinary Telemedicine
- NAICS
- Veterinary Services (54194)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Tele-veterinary & Virtual Care Platforms (Video/Chat, Remote Triage) (HLAMAGAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Veterinary Telehealth Marketplaces (HLALALAM), Online Booking, Intake & Digital Front Door (Forms, Consent, Waitlist) (HLAMAGAD)
Keywords
Where Vetster is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Toronto
- HQ country
- Canada
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Vetster business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Digital Commerce or Content
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Per-Appointment Consultation Fees: Pet owners pay per appointment for virtual veterinary consultations with licensed veterinarians. Appointment fees are set by individual veterinarians on the marketplace, with an additional service fee charged by Vetster covering technical support, customer support, payment processing, platform utilization, and maintenance.
- Vetster Plus Subscription Plans: Vetster offers subscription plans (Vetster Plus, Vetster Unlimited, Vetster Wellness) providing unlimited messaging with veterinary professionals and included virtual vet appointments. Plans are billed monthly, quarterly, or annually with automatic renewal. Subscriptions cover all of the subscriber's pets and include free shipping on prescriptions.
- Pharmacy Dispensing Fees (VetsterRx): When a veterinarian prescribes medication during a consultation, clients can order through VetsterRx online pharmacy or pick up at a local pharmacy. Pharmacy dispensing fees are set and collected by the third-party pharmacy provider, separate from the consultation fee.
- Affiliate Program: Vetster operates an affiliate program enabling third parties to refer pet owners to the platform in exchange for commissions or referral fees.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Vetster Plus (Recommended) — Annual subscription covering all pets |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Per-Appointment — Single virtual vet consultation |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels7 records
Vetster product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vetster operates an online marketplace that connects pet owners with thousands of licensed veterinarians for on-demand virtual veterinary consultations delivered via video, voice, and live messaging across web, iOS, and Android. The platform supports 20+ species and integrates prescription ordering through VetsterRx, automated medical record generation, and partnerships with diagnostic device makers and pet retailers to expand access to veterinary care.
Product overview
Vetster is a pet telehealth marketplace platform providing virtual veterinary care services. The core Vetster Platform connects pet owners with licensed veterinarians for telemedicine consultations supporting 20+ species. The platform operates on a dual-sided marketplace model serving pet parents and veterinarians. Key products include Vetster Plus (annual subscription with 4 appointments and unlimited messaging), VetsterRx (online pharmacy for pet prescriptions), Vetster for Vet Clinics (vet-facing platform for listing services), Vetster Employer Benefits (workplace benefits offering), and Vetster Wellness subscription plans. The platform is available across 50 countries, all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Vetster Platform Online pet care marketplace connecting pet owners with licensed veterinarians for virtual veterinary telemedicine consultations via video, voice, and messaging. Supports 20+ species including dogs, cats, birds, horses, reptiles, hamsters, and rabbits across 50+ countries.
- Vetster Plus Annual subscription plan covering all pets in the subscriber's household, offering 4 virtual vet appointments (~$408 value), unlimited messaging with veterinary professionals, and free shipping on prescriptions.
- Vetster Wellness Subscription service for pet wellness checks and ongoing care management for designated dogs or cats, billed monthly, quarterly, or annually.
- VetsterRx Online pet pharmacy enabling prescription medications to be ordered through the platform following a veterinary consultation, with integration for local pharmacy pickup. Dispensing fees are managed by the third-party pharmacy.
- Vetster for Vet Clinics Platform module that allows veterinary clinics and licensed veterinarians to list their services, manage appointments, and provide telehealth consultations through Vetster's marketplace.
- Vetster Employer Benefits Enterprise offering allowing employers to provide Vetster telemedicine appointments as a workplace benefit to employees who are pet owners.
- Vetster Gift Cards Gift card product allowing users to purchase Vetster consultations as gifts for other pet owners.
- PetSmart Virtual Veterinary Support Program B2B2C virtual veterinary support program embedded in PetSmart retail stores across the United States, giving store associates real-time access to licensed veterinarians for in-store pet care situations.
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% resolution rate across telemedicine consultations
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Vetster
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Vetster technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration11 records
Feature5 records
Vetster partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- PetSmartcoreVetster and PetSmart launched a virtual veterinary support program in select PetSmart stores across the United States. The partnership gives PetSmart associates in PetsHotel, The Salon, and small-animal departments real-time access to licensed veterinarians through Vetster's secure medical platform. The collaboration aims to accelerate time to treatment for pets in stores and improve care standards in areas with limited veterinarian access, addressing concerns ranging from acute issues (vomiting, infections) to ongoing needs (anxiety, weight management).
- CitizenShippercoreCitizenShipper, a pet transportation leader with over 120,000 successful journeys, partnered with Vetster to integrate safe pet transportation with comprehensive veterinary telehealth services. The collaboration allows pet owners to access pre- and post-travel health assessments, virtual consultations, and emergency veterinary support alongside arranging pet transport. The integrated services combine CitizenShipper's transportation expertise with Vetster's telehealth platform across the United States.
- Baden BowerminorBaden Bower led public relations efforts for Mella and Vetster's new partnership in telehealth for pets, generating earned media coverage and brand awareness for the collaboration in the pet health technology space.
- Mella Pet CarecoreMella Pet Care, a Chicago-based pet health device startup, partnered with Vetster to provide 24/7 veterinary care access through Vetster's marketplace to users in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. The partnership integrates Mella's home diagnostic devices—including an axillary thermometer, body fat analyzer, chip reader, and pulse oximeter—with Vetster's telehealth platform, giving veterinarians more information for virtual pet assessments. The collaboration aims to improve accessibility and reduce stress in pet healthcare.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Vetster competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Petriage: Veterinary telehealth and AI-driven triage platform used by both pet owners and veterinary clinics. Comparable to Vetster through telehealth delivery and vet-clinic-as-supply-side onboarding.
- AirVet: U.S.-based veterinary telehealth marketplace connecting pet owners with licensed veterinarians via video, chat, and async. Closest direct competitor to Vetster in North America with overlapping B2C marketplace model, subscription offerings, and employer benefits distribution.
- FirstVet: Veterinary telehealth marketplace operating primarily across the UK and Europe, offering on-demand video consultations with licensed vets. Direct peer given overlapping marketplace model, geographic adjacency (UK), and similar B2B (insurance/employer) distribution.
- Dutch Pet: U.S. veterinary telehealth and prescription platform offering video consultations and home-delivered medications. Comparable to Vetster through integrated telehealth + pharmacy model and prescription-led monetization.
- whiskerDocs: 24/7 pet telehealth helpline providing triage and consultation services to pet owners, often distributed through pet insurance and employer benefits. Comparable to Vetster on the B2B benefits/insurance distribution model and triage-first positioning.
- Pawp: Subscription-based pet telehealth and wellness platform offering unlimited consultations and an emergency fund benefit. Comparable to Vetster on subscription pricing (annual plans) and 24/7 access positioning.
Broad incumbents
- PetCoach (PetSmart): PetSmart's in-house pet advice/telehealth offering and broader retail ecosystem. Relevant incumbent given PetSmart is Vetster's flagship partner but also operates competing pet care advice assets.
- Chewy: Large U.S. online pet retailer with pharmacy, telehealth, and insurance offerings (Chewy Pharmacy, CarePlus). Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping pharmacy and pet-care telehealth ambitions that could compete with VetsterRx and the Vetster marketplace.
- Mars Petcare: Global pet care conglomerate (Royal Canin, Banfield, Antech) with veterinary clinic networks and diagnostic capabilities. Comparable as a broad incumbent that could leverage owned clinics and diagnostics to build competing vet telehealth and integrated care offerings.
- PetIQ: U.S. pet health and wellness company operating veterinary clinics (through Community Veterinary Clinics) and product distribution. Comparable as an incumbent integrating pet retail/clinic distribution with adjacent telehealth capabilities.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Vetster social profiles
Digital presenceVetster financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vetster leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Vetster subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
Vetster funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds2 records
Investors5 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vetster M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Vetster
What does Vetster do?
Vetster operates an online marketplace that connects pet owners with thousands of licensed veterinarians for on-demand virtual veterinary consultations delivered via video, voice, and live messaging across web, iOS, and Android. The platform supports 20+ species and integrates prescription ordering through VetsterRx, automated medical record generation, and partnerships with diagnostic device makers and pet retailers to expand access to veterinary care.
Is Vetster a public or private company?
Vetster is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Vetster founded?
Vetster was founded in 2020. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Vetster based?
Vetster is headquartered in Toronto, Canada, in the North America region.
How does Vetster make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Per-Appointment Consultation Fees are the primary driver. The others are vetster Plus Subscription Plans, pharmacy Dispensing Fees (VetsterRx) and affiliate Program.
Who are Vetster's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Petriage, AirVet, FirstVet, Dutch Pet, whiskerDocs and Pawp. Broad incumbents are PetCoach (PetSmart), Chewy, Mars Petcare and PetIQ.
Does Vetster have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vetster.
What industry is Vetster in?
Vetster's product category is Veterinary Telemedicine. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAMAGAB, Tele-veterinary & Virtual Care Platforms (Video/Chat, Remote Triage), with a secondary code of HLALALAM, Veterinary Telehealth Marketplaces. Its NAICS code is 54194.