I had been battling multiple health issues for years, but things came to a head that year. I was suddenly forced into a wheelchair, and just like that, the fast-paced business travel that had defined my life came to a halt. Doctors told me I needed a hip replacement. Post-surgery, I found myself bedridden for months. Physically, I was drained. But mentally, the hardest blow came when my dog—my loyal companion through so much—passed away.

I thought adopting another dog would help. I brought home a mixed-breed puppy. But life wasn’t done testing me yet. This little one had severe health problems of his own. Despite all efforts, he too passed away. It broke me. Twice.

But amidst that pain, a question kept bothering me: Why is it so hard to get reliable, quality information and care when it ācomes to pets in India? Why are there no checks? No guidelines? No support for people trying to do the right thing?

I spoke with my neighbour, who was a compassionate vet who had seen the same problems firsthand. We both agreed: something had to change. We couldn’t fix everything, but we could at least create a trusted space for pet lovers to make informed, responsible decisions. So I leapt, and PetClubIndia.com went live.

We started simple, but with clear intentions. The site offered everything I had wished I had during my journey—verified vet locations, breed insights, helpful articles, and free consultations. We helped families across Delhi-NCR choose the right dog based on lifestyle, health history, home size, and experience—things that truly matter. Whether someone wanted to adopt or buy, we guided them with honesty and care.

Every pet that came through our network went through a personal checklist. I shortlisted options myself, then we tied up with vet clinics to conduct a proper health screening. Only after a clean bill of health did we match the pet with its new family. But we didn’t stop there.

Once the dog was home, we provided free ongoing advice—feeding instructions, dos and don'ts, basic training guides, everything a new pet parent needed to feel supported. It wasn’t about a sale. It was about building a lifelong bond the right way.

As word spread, our reach grew. We built an incredible network of vets and responsible breeders. We became the first pet company in India to organise a pet fashion show, teaming up with Reliance as a partner. The buzz around that event was unreal. It even got us noticed by the global CEO of Royal Canin. We started working on micro-campaigns, built niche websites, and ran educational promotions—step by step, we were transforming how people thought about pet parenting.

Looking back, Pet Club India wasn’t just a website. It was a mission born from grief, fueled by purpose. It helped hundreds of families bring home pets in a responsible, informed way. It brought structure to a chaotic space. And most importantly, it taught me that when you lead with care, people trust you.

And it all started with heartbreak and a need to fix what was broken.

-By Karan Gupta