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DogVacay, the fast-growing dog sitting online marketplace, has just raised $25 million in Series B1 funding. DogVacay operates in the United States and Canada and will be using this latest investment to expand to Europe. The round was led by OMERS Ventures with investment from GSV Capital and existing investors Science, First Found Capital, Benchmark Foundation Capital, and DAG Ventures. DogVacay’s total funding now is $47 million.
“OMERS brings an international perspective that will help us as we further expand in North America and eventually beyond,” said Aaron Hirschhorn, CEO of DogVacay in a statement. “They also bring strong operational expertise that will be an advantage as we continue to scale.”
European pet owners spend a significant amount of money on their companions, so DogVacay’s expansion there makes sense. OMERS also has offices internationally that DogVacay will be leveraging for its growth.
DogVacay’s online dog sitting marketplace is built around not just being a listing for dog sitters, but also a vetting and pet safety insurance service. DogVacay approves all sitters before listing; only 20,000 of over 100,000 applicants reviewed have been approved for the site. As part of booking on DogVacay, pet owners also get pet insurance and 24/7 customer support. Over half of DogVacay’s 65 employees are employed in customer support. Dog sitters are constantly under review by customers and the support team.
“All reviews under five stars are immediately followed up on,” said Hirschhorn in a previous interview with Built In LA. “Trust is the very foundation of our business, as choosing where to leave your four-legged family member when you travel is a very emotional decision.”
That emphasis on customer service has helped propel DogVacay to rapid growth. The company recently passed 1 million booked nights, a doubling its booking numbers from six months ago.
In addition to international expansion, DogVacay is looking to branch out from dog sitting into other pet services like day care, walking, boarding, training and grooming.
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