Veterinary telemedicine platform partners with pet health device startup

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Mella Pet Care, a Chicago startup company, announced a collaboration with Vetster, a veterinary telemedicine platform, earlier this month. The partnership aims to offer users of the Mella app in the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States access to 24/7 veterinary care through Vetster’s veterinary marketplace.¹

"We are thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking collaboration with Vetster,” Ben Seidman, cofounder of Mella, said in a a company release.¹ “At Mella, our mission has always been to redefine pet care through innovation, and this partnership aligns perfectly with our commitment. By integrating Vetster's telemedicine platform with Mella's advanced technology, we're not just offering convenience to pet owners—we're revolutionizing the way we care for our furry family members. This collaboration underscores our dedication to providing comprehensive, accessible, and proactive health solutions for pets."

Mella Pet Care is the developer of health monitoring devices for veterinarians and pet owners. Their products include the “first-ever accurate axillary thermometer,” a body fat analyzer, a chip reader, and a pulse oximeter.¹ According to a news release, Mella has received 14 industry awards, including the 2021 Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize and Mars’ 2022 Leap Venture Studio accelerator.¹

Vetster allows clients to seek advice and care from veterinarians through video calls, chat, and messaging. The platform allows veterinarians to choose the location, timing, and manner of their practice.² Moreover, veterinarians using Vetster can conduct tele triage, manage nonurgent cases, and offer follow-up consultations, as well as providing proactive and preventative health plans for pet owners.² The platform also features a built-in booking and payment system, along with a repository for stored medical records.³

“By connecting Mella's home diagnostic technology with the Vetster platform, veterinarians have more information to work with when assessing a pet virtually. Our partnership is one more way we can improve access to care for pet owners and their pets,” Cerys Goodall, chief operating officer at Vetster, stated in the release.¹

Following Florida’s passing of the Providing Equity in Telehealth Services (PETS) Act earlier this year, Vetster responded by announcing that veterinary professionals in Florida can now establish their virtual practices through Vetster.³

Speaking of their partnership with Vetster, Mella Pet Care wrote in a news release, “Mella Pet Care and Vetster are dedicated to making pet healthcare more accessible and stress-free. This integration represents a significant step toward improving the lives of pets and their owners, providing peace of mind and expert guidance, 24/7.”¹

References

1. Mella Pet Care, Vetster connect real-time diagnostic to pet telehealth. News release. October 1, 2024. Mella Pet Care.
2. New mobile app designed for virtual veterinary practice. dvm360. November 26, 2022. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/new-mobile-app-designed-for-veterinarians-practicing-virtually
3. Bautista-Alejandre A. Florida bill expands veterinary healthcare access. dvm360. July 6, 2024. Accessed October 28, 2024. https://www.dvm360.com/view/florida-bill-expands-veterinary-healthcare-access