Imagine a world where vet visits aren't dreaded, but welcomed. That's the vision driving Hello Vet, a London-based practice that's just secured a whopping €17 million to revolutionize pet care! This isn't just about treating animals; it's about transforming the entire experience for pets, their owners, and the veterinary professionals themselves.
Hello Vet, which allows pet owners to be present during procedures, has raised a significant €17 million (£15 million) in Series A funding. This investment, supported by Addition and Future Positive, along with contributions from 15 leading veterinary specialists, brings their total investment to an impressive €24 million (£21 million), following a €6.8 million (£6 million) Seed round in 2023.
Co-founder and CEO James Lighton emphasizes the core mission: “We want to become Britain’s best place to work, to ensure working in a vet clinic feels like the dream job it should be.” This focus is particularly crucial given the high burnout rates within the veterinary profession.
But here's where it gets interesting: Hello Vet isn't alone in attracting investor attention. Several other European startups in the animal health and pet care sector have also secured substantial funding in 2025.
For instance, Lupa, based in the UK, raised €17 million to scale its AI-native veterinary software. In Switzerland, ASTRA Therapeutics secured €8.3 million in Seed funding for precision parasiticides. France's Dalma closed a €20 million Series B to expand its pet insurance offerings.
Collectively, these investments represent over €45 million flowing into Europe’s animal health and pet care ecosystem in 2025. Hello Vet's raise is notable as one of the largest service-oriented investments this year and the only UK-based announcement within this specific segment.
Lighton adds, “When we treat our teams better, pets and their people benefit too. It’s a win-win.”
Hello Vet, founded in 2022 by James Lighton, Alessandro Guazzi, and veterinary surgeon Dr. Oli Viner, aims to create clinics that prioritize the well-being of both pets and their owners. They achieve this by allowing clients into procedure rooms, fostering a sense of trust and transparency. This approach reportedly reduces stress for both pets and their owners, potentially improving recovery outcomes.
And this is the part most people miss: Hello Vet also offers a complimentary WhatsApp triage service, enabling pet owners to consult with qualified practitioners immediately. The company claims this service has saved owners over €85k (£75k) in fees in the last year alone.
The veterinary profession faces significant challenges, including high burnout and attrition rates. Statistics show that one in three vets is considering leaving the profession within five years, and approximately 10% leave each year.
Robbie Horwitz, a partner at Addition, highlights the impact: “Hello Vet’s focus on better support for veterinary professionals is redefining what pet care can look like in the UK.”
With over 7,500 registered patients, the new funding will fuel Hello Vet's expansion across the UK. They plan to launch new clinics and hire a team of 200 vets and vet nurses within the next two years.
In addition to its people-first approach, Hello Vet is investing in proprietary technology and AI applications to streamline administrative tasks, potentially reducing paperwork by up to 90%. This frees up clinical teams to focus on providing care to pets.
What do you think? Is this approach to veterinary care the future? Do you believe that allowing owners in the room during procedures truly benefits pets and vets? Share your thoughts in the comments!
