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THIS WEEK'S TOPICS:

• 🧠 Study shows COVID can cause brain damage in dogs

• 🏠 A new dog adoption platform powered by fosters

• 🥵 Otto aims to help burned out vets

🧠 STUDY SHOWS COVID CAN CAUSE BRAIN DAMAGE IN DOGS

Recent research has unveiled startling findings about the effects of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant on our four-legged friends.

A study led by Konkuk University in South Korea, published in Emerging Infectious Diseases, has shown that dogs infected with the virus, even without displaying neurologic or respiratory symptoms, can suffer from degenerative brain disease.

The study involved six female beagle dogs intranasally infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta virus.

These infected dogs shared cages with another six uninfected dogs, while three additional dogs, given a placebo, acted as controls.

Over a span of 42 days, samples were taken from the dogs at various intervals, and at specific time points, some of the dogs were euthanized for further examination.

One of the most alarming discoveries was the presence of SARS-CoV-2 DNA in the brain of infected dogs during the early stages of infection. These dogs showed significant changes to their blood-brain barrier (BBB), a vital structure that regulates the passage of substances from the bloodstream into the brain.

The virus was found to have severely damaged BBB cells, even crossing this barrier.

The researchers noted that these pathologic changes align with the typical signs of small vessel disease (SVD), a condition usually caused by the narrowing or blockage of small blood vessels in the brain.

This suggests that the virus can inflict damage not only to the lungs but also to the brain, both in the early and later stages of infection.

The implications are profound, hinting at the possibility of a long-lasting COVID-19-like syndrome in affected dogs.

Furthermore, the study found evidence of neuroinflammatory responses in the brain's white matter and signs of pneumonia in the lungs of infected dogs.

The researchers concluded that their findings could serve as a foundation for understanding potential neuropathologic changes in humans due to the virus.

Not the kind of study we love, but important information to consider nonetheless.

🏠 A NEW DOG ADOPTION PLATFORM POWERED BY FOSTERS

PetPair, an online pet adoption platform, successfully secured a pre-seed funding round of $1.2 million, seeking to change the trajectory for resolving the perennial shelter capacity issues, particularly in the southwest region of the U.S​.

Originating from Austin, Texas, this startup has not only captured the attention of animal welfare enthusiasts but also the keen interest of investors, with Bling Capital leading the funding round​.

What makes them different from other adoption platforms?

What sets PetPair apart in the bustling realm of pet businesses is its foster-centric approach towards pet adoption.

Unlike conventional platforms, PetPair has ingeniously entwined a nationwide network of foster caregivers into its operations, paving the way for a more humane and personalized pet adoption experience​.

This unique model not only expedites the transition of adoptable animals from shelters to local foster homes but also significantly trims down the operational costs for shelters, thereby contributing to improved save rates.

Not to mention when dogs spend a tremendous amount of time in a shelter their behavior tends to decline rapidly.

In turn this can cause behavioral issues that ultimately make them more “undesirable” to potential adopters/families.

The infusion of $1.2 million is slated to bolster PetPair's expansion of its’ nationwide foster caregiver network.

Moreover, the financial backing is expected to accelerate PetPair’s market penetration, enabling it to extend its service to regions grappling with high animal counts and shelter capacity issues.

The anticipation surrounding PetPair’s future undertakings is massive!

Adoption at scale has long plagued shelters, dogs, fosters and adopters. This is the first marketplace we’ve seen that has created an operational model that provides equal value to all stakeholders.

🥵 OTTO AIMS TO HELP BURNED OUT VETS

In today's fast-paced world, scheduling medical appointments can be a daunting task, especially for our canine buds.

Enter Otto, formerly known as TeleVet, a veterinary software company aiming to streamline the process for pet clinics.

From scheduling to after-hours triage, payments, and digital prescription refills, Otto offers a comprehensive solution for veterinary practices.

A standout feature of Otto's system is its seamless integration with platforms that veterinarians already use.

This ensures data accuracy and completeness.

By implementing Otto, veterinary teams can potentially save up to eight hours each week, a significant boost to productivity.

Key Insights

Zeynep Young, Otto's CEO, highlighted a concerning trend: while there's been a surge in the pet population, the number of veterinary clinics is declining, largely due to professional burnout.

She believes that merely increasing staff won't address the issue; technology is the key.

Historically, the veterinary sector has lagged in tech adoption, but Young sees this changing.

Otto's mission is to understand the challenges clinics face and provide tools that enhance their operations rather than disrupt them.

The veterinary tech space is becoming increasingly crowded with startups like Airvet, Digitail, and The Vets.

However, Otto distinguishes itself by offering an end-to-end solution. Young pointed out the "14 tabs problem" clinics often face, juggling multiple software solutions simultaneously.

This can lead to errors, such as sending reminders for pets no longer alive, and contributes to staff burnout.

How’s Business?

Otto's integrated approach has proven effective, with a 600% growth in its customer base, reaching over 8,000 new veterinary clinics and hospitals in just a year.

Furthermore, Otto's impact is evident in its results: clinics using the software have seen a 50% reduction in appointment no-shows and a 70% decrease in call volume, thanks to automated prompts for routine requests.

The company's success hasn't gone unnoticed.

Otto recently secured $43 million in Series B funding, led by Mercury Fund, bringing its total venture-backed funding to $48 million.

DOGGYDEX™

Winner 🏆: S&P 500

Proudly introducing the DoggyDex™, an index comprised of 10 publicly traded companies whose primary focus is the dog/pet industry.

List of tickers used can be found at the very bottom of the newsletter.

The yellow line-plot in the chart represents these companies above (DoggyDex™) and their combined performance against both the S&P 500 and Bitcoin on a weekly basis.

Pawformance is measured by % gains & losses.

• 🚵 This dog makes trail running a work-of-art: Check out this beautifully crafted short film of this dog and his mountain biking dad.

• 🔨 Pointers make the best garage buddies: These 3 pointer pups are doing some great shop work by holding their headlamps steady for dad.

• 😻 Uncle Fig, the cat, shows some puppy love: This sweet cat soothes a whining golden puppy, letting mom take a load off.

DOGGY B-DAY

• $CHWY - Chewy: E-commerce platform for pet supplies

• $IDXX - Idexx Labs: Vet point of care instruments and vet software

• $FRPT - Fresh Pet: Pet food company

• $PETQ - PetIQ: Pet health products and medicines

• $PETS - PetMeds: Online pet pharmacy

• $ZTS - Zoetis: World's largest producer of meds and vaccines for pets and livestock

• $TRUP - Trupanion: Pet insurance company

• $WOOF - Petco Health & Wellness co.: Pet health & wellness company

• $BARK - BarkBox: Subscription service providing dog products, services, and experiences

• $PET - Wag! Group Co.: Tech platform that allows pet owners to connect with industry professionals for services such as, walking, training, etc.