Bridging the Gap in Pet Care
Project
Role
Duration
UX/UI Designer
Mobile App Design
2 months
The Challenges of Pet Ownership in India
Pet ownership comes with its joys, but it also comes with responsibilities—ensuring timely medical care, managing vaccinations, and keeping up with everyday essentials. In India, however, this isn’t always as straightforward as it should be.
I first became aware of these challenges through close friends. One had to give away her pet because she simply couldn’t keep up with its needs while balancing work.
Another left her pet with her parents while moving abroad, but finding pet friendly public transportation to a clinic proved difficult for them. The most heartbreaking case was a friend who lost a pet on the way to a clinic—a diagnosis had been delayed, and by the time help was available, it was too late.
These experiences highlighted a real problem: accessing veterinary care and pet essentials in India is not as convenient as it should be. Public transport isn’t pet-friendly, not all areas have well-stocked pet pharmacies, and scheduling vet appointments can be a hassle.
That’s where Petco comes in—a mobile app designed to make vet consultations, medication orders, and pet health management more accessible and efficient for pet owners in India.
Why Pet Care is Inconvenient
Through research, I uncovered several key challenges that pet owners regularly face:
✦ Limited Veterinary Clinics – Many areas lack easily accessible vet clinics, making in-person visits difficult
✦ Lack of Pet-Friendly Transport – Travelling with sick pets is stressful, and public transport often does not accommodate animals
✦ Few Pharmacies Carry Pet Medication – Unlike human medicine, pet medications are not always available at local pharmacies, requiring owners to search multiple locations
✦ Lack of Digital Pet Health Management – Many pet owners rely on paper records for vaccination dates and medical history, making it easy to lose track of important details
From these pain points, the vision for Petco became clear: a comprehensive mobile app that makes pet care accessible and hassle-free.
Building a Pet-Friendly Experience
Creating Petco required a structured approach to ensure the app was intuitive, functional, and catered to real user needs.
1. Research & Market Analysis
I conducted user interviews and competitive analysis to understand existing solutions and market gaps. Here’s what I found:
✦ Most existing pet apps were basic – They primarily offered storage for pet records but lacked vet consultations or integrated pet care solutions
✦ Some apps, like Dr. Pets, offered chat consultations, but users expressed a need for in-home visits for more thorough check-ups
✦ Competitors lacked a comprehensive ecosystem – Most apps addressed only one or two aspects of pet care, not the full experience
2. Designing the App
With these challenges in mind, Petco was designed with a clear goal: to bring veterinary care, pet essentials, and health tracking into one seamless experience.
🏡 In-Home Veterinary Consultations
Pet owners can book vet consultations at home, reducing stress for both pets and owners. This ensures timely medical care without the hassle of travel.
📅 Easy Appointment Scheduling
A simple booking system allows users to schedule appointments for check-ups, vaccinations, and medical tests such as blood work.
🏪 Online Pharmacy & Essentials Delivery
Owners can order pet medication, food, and other essentials directly from the app, with delivery options available.
📂 Electronic Health Records Management
All medical history, prescriptions, and vaccination records are stored digitally, so owners can access them whenever needed.
🚨 Emergency Assistance
A dedicated emergency hotline provides immediate access to professional help during critical situations.
How Petco Can Evolve
To further enhance Petco’s impact, future iterations of the app could include:
🗓️ Subscription & Reminder Features – Automated orders for food and supplements, ensuring pets never run out of essentials
🐾 Versatility for Other Pets – Expanding to include cats, birds, and exotic pets to serve a wider audience
📱 Lite Version for Simplicity – A lightweight version for users with limited tech experience or older devices
💬 Telehealth Features – Secure chat options for quick, non-urgent vet advice
3. User Testing & Feedback
To validate Petco’s usability, I conducted user testing with a couple of pet owners. The response was positive:
✦ Users appreciated the home consultation feature, as it eliminated the difficulty of transporting sick pets
✦ The pharmacy option was widely praised, as many pet owners struggled to find necessary medications nearby
✦ Participants suggested additional features, including:
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Reminders for vaccinations and regular appointments
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Expanding the app to include care for cats and other pets
Key Takeaways from the Petco Project
Working on Petco reinforced several crucial lessons in user experience and problem-solving:
✦ Understanding User Needs is Key – The best designs address real pain points rather than just adding features
✦ Market Gaps Create Opportunities – The lack of a comprehensive pet care app in India highlighted the potential for innovation
✦ Holistic Care Matters – Users want more than just vet services; they need a full ecosystem for pet health management
With Petco, pet owners can finally experience stress-free, comprehensive care for their furry companions—all in one convenient app
