Goofy Tails, a premium pet supplies and pet products brand with online and retail outlets, raises USD $500,000 seed funding from BeyondSeed, The Chennai Angels, and other overseas Angel Investors.

Direct-to-consumer start-up Goofy Tails, a nutrition focussed pet products company, has secured seed funding of $500,000 led by BeyondSeed, a Singapore-based investor group, and The Chennai Angels, with participation from other overseas angel investors. The home-grown, fast-growing petcare D2C company plans to use the funding to expand its portfolio of healthy pet foods and pet accessories. Goofy Tails will step up customer acquisition efforts and expand the team and warehouse presence across India for a better customer experience and faster delivery. Goofy Tails would also use the funds for extensive research, feedback, and new product development to expand its pet food and treats category. Goofy Tails is headquartered in New Delhi and is one of the leading petcare brands that started its operations in 2019 by co-founders Karan Gupta, Kartik Gupta, Kunal Gupta, and Ashish Kaushal. The company has seen 200% growth across all categories of its product line and has served over 1.2 lakh-plus+ customers across Amazon, its own website, and other channels. The current Goofy Tails petcare product range consists of fresh and healthy food, interactive toys, accessories, and grooming products. Goofy Tails plans to enter other South Asian and European markets by the middle of next year. Kartik Gupta- Co-Founder and CEO of Goofy Tails, said, “We would like to thank our partners who have trusted us and helped us raise this amount. We will be using the funds to acquire customers for a lifetime, engage pet parents with good quality content, provide a seamless platform experience for shoppers, and expand our product development to solve challenges that Indian pet parents are facing. “Co-Founder of Goofy Tails, Karan Gupta, a pet coach and nutritionist who has been a part of the petcare world for over a decade, said, “Unbalanced home food and kibble are one of the prime causes of obesity, diabetes, and poor gut health in our pets. Goofy Tails aims to solve this problem with a complete and proprietary range of preservative-free food and treats.” Speaking on the investment, Kuldeep Mirani, Co-founder & CEO of BeyondSeed Venture Solutions, Singapore said, “We are very excited to be foraying into the “pet category” with our investment in Goofy Tails as we see huge potential and promise in this sector. The Goofy Tails team is passionate and hyper-focused on offering high-quality, vet-approved, nutritious pet food that improves the overall health of pets, a welcome change for all concerned pet parents. We believe that Goofy Tails is well-positioned to be a market leader in the “nutrition-focused pet food” category.” Lead Investor from The Chennai Angels, Murugan N, CEO-Southern Health Foods Pvt. Ltd., said, “The founders, being pet parents themselves, have strong expertise in pet foods and nutrition.” The company has recently expanded across borders, helping thousands of pet parents access affordable, high-quality pet products. We are extremely happy to take Goofy Tails on as a TCA portfolio company and are eager to see them grow and reach great heights in the coming years.” Mumbai-based Pareto Capital, a consumer-focused and research-driven investment banking firm, acted as the financial and strategic advisor to the company.

Few things make dogs happier than hitting the beach! But there
are some precautions you should consider so a day of fun
doesn’t end in disaster for your dog, says Rita Shukla

We live near the beach in Goa and it is a significant part of our everyday life. The sea is a draw for people not just for fun, but for a walk, yoga, meditation and rejuvenation too. Increasingly, dog owners take their dogs to the beach – to chase, splash, lounge, chase some more, splash some more, lounge some more, surf… the works! We see streetiest frolicking along the waterline so we assume they are enjoying themselves as much as the pets.

After all, for millennia, humans have flocked to the seaside to breathe in the salt air, long purported to offer significant health benefits. Today, researchers can actually back up a lot of these claims with studies: there’s known evidence that salt air can effectively alleviate some common respiratory issues in people, and presumably in dogs as well! Bear with us while we get sciency for a moment. A French study found that seawater composition includes almost all the elements of the periodic table, as well as a wide variety of additional beneficial nutrients. Salt air actually contains negatively charged hydrogen ions which more readily absorb oxygen. Breathing in these ions for a few hours can do wonders to reduce mucus, relieve sinus pressure, alleviate coughing, and even help asthma sufferers. So, we started frequenting the beach and it’s there that we met several dogs and their human companions. One of the senior dogs has breathing problems and his human is sure salt air at the beach might really make a big difference. Though we are not sure how far this is true, presumably salt water actually has a lot of beneficial properties for animal skin just like it does for human skin; you really only need to be vigilant if your dog rolicks in the waves every single weekend. A man with his pitbull at Miramar beach told us natural sea salt includes many common minerals your dog’s skin can actually benefit from.

Apparently, his dog had skin ailments and the vet suggested giving her a sea bath every now and then. “This is because seawater is packed with minerals like sodium, magnesium, and calcium, which will have positive effects on her skin,” said the veterinarian. “It will help wash away toxins and dead cells to reveal clearer and smoother skin. Also, sea salt can naturally improve hydration and strengthen the skin.” Even the French study revealed that seawater has important antiseptic healing properties, so that when the damaged skin comes into contact with this liquid, the process of regeneration is activated. Of course, for the results to be as expected, it is necessary that the seawater is not contaminated. We believe there are a number of brands of bottled sea water on the market. Some are hypertonic (undiluted, or pure) and some are isotonic (diluted in fresh water). There are also some which are designed to be used as condiments. However, it should be noted that seawater should never act as the only used treatment for conditions, like atopic dermatitis, scabies, psoriasis, dandruff etc. It should be a complement to veterinary treatment, aiding to speed up the recovery process. On the flip side, too much salt water can actually dry the skin, causing it to become flaky and tight over time. So, dogs that spend a lot of time in the sea might even develop a dullness to their coats. It’s worthwhile to know that breeds like Labrador Retrievers, Portuguese Water Dogs, Irish Water Spaniels and others were bred for saltwater swimming, so their coats are naturally oily and can resist absorbing the saltwater as much. However, double-coated dogs such as the Husky, Shiba Inu, Pomeranians etc. tend to trap saltwater between their dense inner-coat and softer outer-coat, which can irritate the skin and even promote bacterial growth. The same is true for dogs with silky or fine hair such as the Yorkshire Terrier. When their fur becomes wet, it exposes their skin to the sun and salt in the sea. So washing saltwater off your dog with clean, fresh water and ensuring you have dried it properly is recommended every time. Also, the beach is a special – and vulnerable – place for your dog. You need to be aware, of course, of the power of the sea where you are; dogs who aren’t intimately familiar with the sea can easily be caught off guard by big waves or rip tides. Waves, current, and rip tides can quickly exhaust your dog, and that can be deadly. If your dog likes to swim in the ocean, the best time of day is after low tide when the water is coming back in. Tide charts can easily be found online. Also consider getting your dog a life vest. When choosing which life vest will work best, look for one that fastens at three points and has a handle on the back, making it easy for you to lift your dog out of the water. Yep, dogs can get sun burns — their noses, bellies, and areas with particularly thin fur are susceptible to the sun’s hot rays so it’s important to keep them protected.

Provide shade with a beach umbrella, and consider dog-friendly sunscreen. Sunscreens made for humans can be toxic to dogs so be sure to avoid them, especially those made with zinc oxide. You may also want to look into dog sun goggles to protect your pup’s eyes from harmful rays. When you arrive at the beach, take a walk in the water and note any sharp rocks, shells, or jellyfish to help your dog avoid. Of course, you can’t protect your pup from everything, so always have your first aid kit handy.

Remember that dogs often don’t show it when they’re in pain. So watch his body language and carefully check him for cuts and scrapes if you notice him acting differently. You should also keep a close eye on your dog while on shore; ingesting driftwood, litter, or anything else he finds on the beach could actually make your dog sick. It’s not uncommon for dogs to suffer from diarrhoea after a day at the sea, especially if it was a one-off trip to the beach. This is usually due to the high levels of sodium inadvertently ingested through seawater and should pass after a few hours. To reduce the risks during your beach visits, keep an eye on your dog. Make sure they do not try to quench their thirst with sea water! Instead, always carry a bottle of fresh water with you. After a dip in the sea, it’s a decent idea to bathe your dog, or at least rinse him down with fresh, clean water to remove residual salt.

Greater Kailash-II centre boasts top-notch pet grooming services in addition to specialised pet care and diagnostic

The multi-specialty state-of-the-art petcare chain DCC (Dogs Cats & Companions) Animal Hospital, has reopened its Greater Kailash II branch in New Delhi, located on the main Savitri Road. With its primary centre at Gurugram, it was earlier operational in Greater Kailash (E-556, Block E, part-II) as a hospital. But now, the centre has been revamped into a holistic pet care facility that has end-to-end services like grooming, consultation, and The centre, which is now bigger and better, houses two consultation rooms, two grooming rooms, and a host of pet diagnostic and therapeutic services. This centre has been revamped and reopened after a lot of feedback from clients and users who sought a one-stop-shop for pet care in this area of Delhi-NCR. After listening to their loyal customers, DCC decided to relaunch the GK centre with an even wider array of services to meet all their needs. The facility also has two experienced veterinary doctors available – Dr Chetan Sharma and Dr Shivam under the guidance of Head of Veterinary Services at DCC, Dr Vinod Sharma.

The staff is trained specifically to address all the needs of animals, and offer care that is at par with that of humans. Certain breeds also need frequent grooming, and in summers, the demand goes up even further as pet parents wish to get their pets groomed regularly, so they can feel as comfortable as possible. But what sets the centre apart is the extra care and focus that is put on how the pets are handled and treated, and also in selecting the grooming products used to ensure all skin and fur types can be treated well. While regular checkups, treatments, and grooming are critical for our furry companions, their experience during the processes and their feelings are just as important and valid. Hence, DCC’s veterinarians and staff take special care to make sure the animals feel as comfortable and at ease as possible, instead of being scared or anxious. Furthermore, each product that is used on the animals is also chosen by veterinarians, after careful consideration of the skin type, fur type, and medical conditions of the pets.

Furthermore, DCC has introduced a number of bundle packages for both medical and grooming services, giving Dr Sharma said, “We think from the perspective of pets, therefore for us the views and thoughts of pet parents are very important and we believe that our insights lie right there. Medically, we have an experienced robust team, and we’re committed to the cause of pets, they are a part of us. We think as one, treat as one. Be it grooming or any other service, care has to be taken that only the best techniques, products and services are provided. We are growing rapidly, and GK II has been around for over a year, we revamped as we understood the need gap. We need to grow and include more offerings for our furry ones.” Dr Sharma is known as one of India’s foremost veterinary practitioners. After graduating from HAU Hisar, he headed a leading Animal Welfare Organisation from 1994-2013 as the chief officer in charge. During this period, the organisation achieved a place in ‘Limca Book of Records as he organised the first blood bank in India for animals. He has also received his training in Animal Welfare from the Royal Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, UK, and advanced Clinical Training from Zurich Veterinary College, Switzerland. He has presented and written papers on animal welfare and veterinary services both in India and abroad. Over the last 30 years, he has collected a wealth of experience understanding animals.

DCC offers state-of-the-art boarding, day-care, and grooming services at its Gurgaon facility, offering temperature-controlled rooms, trained handlers, flexible meal plans, and more. In addition, the company is also planning to expand its services with the launch of multiple new outlets in Delhi very soon.

Humbled and proud, says Dr Faouzi Kechrid of the recognition and the Global Meritorious Award

The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has announced that Dr Faouzi Kechrid, a veterinarian in Tunisia and WSAVA member representative for the country, is to be awarded the WSAVA’ s prestigious Award for Global Meritorious Service. He is to receive the Award in recognition of his contribution to the One Health movement and to the veterinary profession in Tunisia, Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

During a long and distinguished career, Dr Kechrid has worked in many fields of veterinary medicine, including animal and public health, animal welfare and food security. He has also worked as a consultant and advisor to the World Bank; the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH – formerly known as OIE) on projects including an assessment of avian influenza and transboundary animal diseases in the Middle East and North Africa and the co-ordination of several high-profile veterinary conferences.

Dr Kechrid is a past president of the World Veterinary Association and current president of the Association Vétérinaire Euro-Arabe and the African Veterinary Association. He is a founder and vice president of the Fédération des Associations Francophones des Vétérinaires (FAFVAC). In addition to being WSAVA member representative for Tunisia, he is a member of its Translation Access Taskforce, helping to make its educational resources accessible to Arabic speakers.

The WSAVA’s Award for Global Meritorious Service is presented annually to a veterinarian who, in the opinion of the judges, has contributed meritorious service to the veterinary profession in the broadest sense. Dr Kechrid will receive his Award during this year’s WSAVA World Congress which takes place in Lima, Peru, from 29-31 October.

Commenting on the award to Dr Kechrid, WSAVA President Dr Siraya Chunekamrai said: “It is a privilege simply to know Dr Kechrid so the opportunity to honor such an altruistic, generous and brave leader of the veterinary profession is a real honor for our community. I am so happy to be able to express our gratitude to Dr Kechrid for all that he has done – and continues to do – for our profession.”

Dr Kechrid said: “I am very humbled and proud of this recognition by the WSAVA and I want to express to all of its members my deepest gratitude. Thanks to your recognition and the Global Meritorious Award you have honored me with, I feel even more energized to continue to serve my profession and to encourage the development of our new active veterinary generation.”

“It is a privilege simply to know

Dr Kechrid so the opportunity to honor

such an altruistic, generous and brave

leader of the veterinary profession is

a real honor for our community. I am

so happy to be able to express our

gratitude to Dr Kechrid for all that

he has done – and continues to

do – for our profession.”