Catering to New Pet Owners

Due to the ongoing pandemic, there has been a surge in pet adoptions. Animal shelters, breeders, and pet stores have noticed a significant increase in pet ownership. Some attribute this rise to people seeking companionship to make up for the lack of social interaction during these times. This trend, combined with the already growing value of the pet care industry, has attracted investors.

Retail giant Walmart has unveiled its latest offering, Walmart Pet Care. Apart from its regular pet-related products like food, toys, and beds, Walmart has teamed up with Petplan to provide in-store pet insurance plans and partnered with Rover for dog walking services. Though the specifics of Walmart’s agreements with Petplan and Rover remain undisclosed, customers utilizing these services will be eligible for discounts and gift cards.

Melody Richard, Walmart Pets’ vice president, expressed, “We’re focused on bringing our customers and the beloved pets in their lives trusted, convenient and affordable programs at one destination.”

By introducing these new services, Walmart aims to strengthen its position in the pet care market, competing with specialized big-box retailers like Petco and PetSmart. Chewy, a major competitor, recently launched a telehealth service connecting pet owners with veterinarians remotely. Walmart already operates WalmartPetsRX, an online animal pharmacy catering to both pets and livestock. The new Pet Care services are expected to drive customer loyalty for various animal care needs.