My Pet Pal expands nationwide after South West launch

UK pet care platform My Pet Pal is rolling out across Britain after launching in the South West in June, aiming to connect owners, vetted providers and retailers in one place. The expansion comes with an Animal Star Awards finalist nod and a new insurance partnership as the company targets a fragmented market.

Why it matters: - My Pet Pal is trying to replace a patchwork pet care market built on Facebook groups, word of mouth and separate marketplaces. - The platform aims to make it easier for pet owners to find trusted care and for small providers to run more professionally. - The company is also expanding beyond dogs and cats, which could widen options for owners of birds, reptiles, small animals, exotic pets and horses.

What happened: - My Pet Pal launched nationwide after first going live in the South West in June 2026. - The UK-founded platform connects pet owners, care providers and retailers on one system. - The company is based in Wiltshire and was founded in November 2025. - My Pet Pal said it is expanding region by region across the UK. - The platform was named a finalist for Best Pet Related Business of the Year at the Animal Star Awards 2026 in the Southwest Region. - My Pet Pal also announced a partnership with Pet Business Insurance UK.

The details: - Joining My Pet Pal is free for pet owners and pet care businesses. - Pet owners can search for care by location, availability and species. - Owners can browse verified and insured provider profiles and read reviews. - The platform stores pet records with medical notes, diet information, behaviour details and reminders for vaccinations. - Providers get booking tools, pricing and capacity controls, invoicing, payments, client messaging, team management and performance analytics. - My Pet Pal includes an AI assistant to reduce admin work for providers. - Retailers can sell approved products, food, toys, equipment and other essentials through an integrated shop. - A pet's profile and history can follow the animal across services such as grooming, boarding and veterinary care. - The platform supports boarding, daycare, walking, grooming, training, veterinary care, pet sitting and equestrian services. - My Pet Pal also supports care for birds, reptiles, small animals and exotic pets.

Between the lines: - The platform is positioning itself as a three-sided ecosystem, not just a listings site. - That structure could give My Pet Pal more reasons for pet owners and businesses to stay active on the same service. - Trust and safety are central to the pitch, with vetting, documentation checks and verification badges built into onboarding. - My Pet Pal's Protection Programme offers up to £2,500 in veterinary care reimbursement. - Pet Business Insurance UK gives providers 10% off business insurance if they are not already covered. - Founder and CEO Shane Webster said the company was built by people who have lived both sides of the problem as pet owners and pet care business operators.

What's next: - My Pet Pal is recruiting trusted, insured and licensed providers across the UK to join for free. - The company is also inviting pet owners nationwide to sign up at no cost. - Further regional expansion is expected as My Pet Pal grows beyond its initial South West base. - The company says it is just getting started.

The bottom line: - My Pet Pal is betting that a single platform combining bookings, payments, retail and trust checks can simplify how Britain finds and buys pet care.