The success of Malaysia’s first taxi-hailing service app for pets

The company, created after the “pain points” faced by its Founder Kim Chin Seow in transporting his pets, has grown 100% year-on-year in just over 12 months. 

According to Seow, pet taxi services in the Southeast Asian country are “booming.” While there are freelance drivers who transport pets around, JoJo Pets is the “only dedicated professional taxi-hailing service for pets in the country.”

“However, we’re facing a shortage of trained pet drivers. We only engage with drivers who are passionate about the role, those who love dealing with animals, and individuals who aren’t afraid to clean up after pets,” he said in an interview with GlobalPETS from Kuala Lumpur.

Market potential 

JoJo Pets offers a “premium experience” to its customers. “Pet parents in Malaysia are willing to spend big money on professional pet taxi experiences. There are an estimated 5,000 grooming stores and 1,200 vets in Malaysia, and traveling to them can be challenging for pets,” he admits.

Some pet owners also use the app to take their animals to parks, pet cafes, and hotels. “We see a big need for our services.”

Seow believes the demand for pet taxi services will continue to grow. In the coming months, the company will offer its services nationwide. It currently operates in central and south Malaysia, and in the second quarter of the year, the service is set to be operational in the north of Malaysia. 

He added, “2022 proved this concept [is profitable], and I see us building on this further in 2023. We also have plans to expand to either Singapore or Thailand in the year.”

The company is currently holding an A-series funding round to scale the company. 

How it works

The company regularly trains people to become professional pet-handling drivers. “We provide drivers with two training programs: one, on pet categories, breeds, and behaviors. The second is more comprehensive training [covering] pet handling, emergency first aid instructions, safety equipment, and wounded animal handling,” Seow explains.

All pet taxis are equipped with a pet-friendly sanitizer, washable seat covers, thick powder, and air ventilation systems. A dashboard and pet cameras are installed in vehicles to monitor journeys.

Customers can order a taxi via the JoJo Pets app in a “matter of seconds” and get instant confirmation. To ensure seamless integration, the company partners with over 100 companies in the pet sector, mainly pet clinics, grooming agencies, and hotels.