From Pets to Places: Understanding the Need for Specialised Pet Transport Services

In this episode of Pet Business Disruptors, Clayton and Marina sit down with Claire Harris, the founder of Pets to Places, the world's first pet taxi franchise. Claire shares her journey and the mission behind her business, which addresses the critical need for pet transportation services, especially for those who do not drive. The conversation delves into the challenges pet owners face when trying to transport their animals to vets, groomers, and other essential locations, highlighting the growing trend of younger generations choosing pets over children. Claire passionately discusses the importance of proper pet restraint in vehicles, the lack of awareness surrounding pet safety during travel, and her plans to develop a range of crash-tested pet transport products.  KEY TAKEAWAYS Need for Pet Transport Services: There is a significant demand for pet transport services, particularly for individuals who do not drive or have limited access to vehicles.  Changing Demographics of Pet Owners: The demographic of pet owners is shifting, with a growing percentage of younger individuals (ages 16 to 34) choosing pets over traditional family structures.  Safety and Restraint in Pet Transport: Proper restraint and safety measures for pets during transport are crucial. Many pet owners are unaware of the risks associated with unrestrained pets in vehicles. Lack of Regulation and Education: There is a gap in legislation regarding pet transport safety, and many pet owners lack knowledge about the importance of using crash-tested equipment.  Market Opportunity for Innovative Products: There is a market opportunity for developing multifunctional pet transport products that are both crash-tested and suitable for everyday use, such as harnesses that can be used for walking as well as in vehicles.    BEST MOMENTS "Pets to Places is the world's first pet taxi franchise. What is a pet taxi? I get that question a lot." - Claire  "There's actually a real, real need for the service just from the perspective that a lot of people don't have their own vehicle." - Claire  "People are always looking to get their pet to the vet they don't drive. Could you Why don't you do that?" - Claire  "The problem is with the sort of people taxis, as we refer to them, the normal taxis, they don't always take animals for various different reasons." - Clayton "I think the legislation needs to change and I think it needs completely updating." - Claire HOST BIO Clayton Payne is an industry veteran of three decades of working in the pet industry. Brought up working in his parents' pet store, Clayton has seen the industry evolve over five different decades and has been on the cutting edge of the industry since the nineties. Building pet businesses from scratch, establishing multi-national distribution chains and having worked in every aspect of the industry, Clayton has a rare insight into the Pet Industry that is rivalled by few.  Clayton has been the spearhead of many of the industry's changes and has introduced numerous new concepts to market with a trail of success behind him. He has worked in numerous countries within the pet industry, speaks four different languages and has established both import and export relationships on all continents (excluding Antarctica). As well as being COO of one of the UKs fastest growing insect technology companies, Clayton is a Pet industry consultant who has consulted for many household brands and delivers sales training to pet trade professionals. https://www.linkedin.com/in/clayton-payne-a6772244/ https://www.tiktok.com/@petbusinessdisruptors https://www.youtube.com/@PetBusinessDisruptors