From Veterinary Practice to Compassionate End-of-Life Services with Rachel Sheppard and Shea Cox

In this episode, Clayton engages in a heartfelt conversation with Rachel Sheppard, the director of ventures at Mars Petcare, and Shea Cox, a veterinarian and co-founder of Honor Pet, a startup focused on end-of-life care for pets. They delve into the often-overlooked topic of pet end-of-life care, discussing the complexities and emotional challenges faced by pet parents during this difficult time. Shay shares insights on how Honor Pet aims to transform the experience by providing comprehensive services, including pre-planning, quality-of-life consultations, and memorial experiences, all designed to centre the pet parent in the process. Rachel highlights the importance of the Leap Venture Studio Program in supporting innovative pet care solutions and fostering a network of founders dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their owners. KEY TAKEAWAYS There is a significant gap in awareness among pet parents regarding end-of-life care options, such as hospice and in-home euthanasia. Many pet owners are unaware of the resources available to them during this difficult time. Honor Pet aims to provide a comprehensive suite of services that includes pre-planning, quality-of-life consultations, euthanasia, cremation, and grief support. This approach focuses on creating a supportive environment for pet parents and their families. Initiating discussions about end-of-life care early in a pet's life can help pet parents make informed decisions and reduce feelings of guilt and regret when the time comes to say goodbye. Veterinarians often face time constraints and limited training in end-of-life care, which can hinder their ability to provide adequate support to pet parents during these critical moments. This highlights the need for specialised services like those offered by Honor Pet. The LEAP program at Mars Petcare provides valuable resources and networking opportunities for start-ups in the pet care industry. It focuses on investing in companies that address significant challenges in pet care, allowing for a broader impact beyond traditional profit-driven models. BEST MOMENTS "Somewhere along the lines, veterinarians became the gatekeepers of death, and we're here to change that model." "74% of senior pets don't see a veterinarian in the past 18 months of life." "Pets should not be placed in trash bags following their death." "You can now screen for a lot of the major cancers that dogs end up getting diagnosed with." "Don't let rejection stop you; ask how you can improve." 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 This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/