Bengaluru-based veterinary clinic chain Dr. Paws, has secured ₹29.3 crore ($3.5 million) in a pre-Series A funding round led by Chiratae Ventures, marking it as positive news for the D2C sector in India. Sauce, an existing investor, also participated in the round, along with venture debt from Trifecta Capital and Stride Ventures. This shows growing investor confidence in the quickly growing D2C pet care brands area.
Dr. Paws plans to use the new funds to support a D2C growth strategy. This includes adding nine new clinics in Bengaluru by 2026, expanding into Hyderabad and Pune, and starting at-home veterinary services. The business also intends to introduce its own brand of pet treats, supplements, and pet food, in response to increasing demand for specialized, science-backed products and rise of direct-to-consumer sales in pet food in India.
Udit Gadkary and Rakesh Santhapur founded Dr. Paws, which runs 24/7 veterinary clinics that offer consultations, surgeries, diagnostics, and preventive care. With three clinics open and two more being built, the brand is setting itself up as one of the newest D2C startups addressing quality, availability, and transparency issues in India’s developing pet healthcare sector. Since it began, Dr. Paws has handled over 30,000 appointments and 800 surgeries. Each clinic has become profitable within five months, which suggests possible scaling and solid D2C business practices in India.
As more people in cities and towns become pet parents, there is a huge need for full pet care options in India’s D2C market, including clinics, diagnostics, pet food, supplements, and at-home services. Dr. Paws’ recent funding and fast growth place it among the fastest-growing D2C brands in the pet well-being market. Its focus on tech-driven operations shows that the industry is moving toward easier, digital, and personalized care experiences.
The startup is putting money into tech for clinical processes, CRM systems, efficiency, and training, which are all important for a scalable D2C business in India. Improving its leadership team will help grow across cities and support plans to create a multi-channel pet-care network. The brand’s early success gives it good speed toward this aim.
As D2C funding picks up in 2025, especially in the consumer and well-being fields, Dr. Paws stands out as a brand that combines medical know-how with D2C ease, mixing clinical trust with today’s customer needs. With the pet care market in India set to grow a lot, Dr. Paws is in a spot to become a key player, supported by strong investor support, a clear growth plan, and rising consumer demand for high-quality veterinary care.
This event also shows bigger changes happening in the D2C industry: the rise of D2C models led by creators and services, the move toward preventive health, and the increase in high-end D2C brands in India that address underserved markets. As pet owners look for more personalized, data-driven, and accessible options, Dr. Paws is creating a platform designed for growth, experience, and trust, which means a change for the pet care industry in India.
