I think most of the counselors at Pet Camp really like being here. We get to spend our days surrounded by dogs (at the Main Campground and Ranger Station) and cats (at Cat Safari). We get to watch them playing and doing all kinds of activities. Yes, I would dare to say that for a job it is (or at least can be) fun – but it is not a game. We take our responsibilities very seriously. We have checklists, endless QA/QC procedures, amazingly diligent managers, and a compulsive business owner (that’s me by the way). Sure, we can and do have fun – but taking care of your pet is no game to us. This might be another way that Pet Camp is a little old fashioned, as it turns out folks (or at least one company) are spending big money on the gamification of pet care.
The other week Vetted Pet Health acquir
ed Dogiz’s (get it – doggie’s) “proprietary AI tech assets” to gamify pet care via its app. Vetted says to think about it as if “Doulingo and Strava had a baby in pet care.” Apparently as part of becoming Duolingo’s and Strava’s love child, Vetted has decided to shift away from bricks-and-mortar veterinary care to the world of virtual pet care using AI diagnostic tools including Dr. Poop, Dr. Skin, Dr. Teeth, Dr. Eye and Dr. Weight. Pet parents are encouraged to “race” with other pet parents to see who the better pet parent is and win “Care Coins” which can later be redeemed for “cash-like rewards.” What does a pet parent need to do to win Care Coins? You know, those harder pet parenting things like feeding and walking your dog.
Ok, I know I am not the target market for ANY of this. First, I don’t need to be encouraged to compete with other pet parents to provide care for my own dogs and cats (or yours if they are at Pet Camp). Second, I’m not going to any doctor (human or veterinarian) branded as Dr. Poop- sorry. Third, if I’m going to compete for something and win “Care Coins,” I want to be able to turn them in for “cash rewards” not “cash-like rewards” (whatever that means).
As I said, I get it. I’m not the target market; I’m too old-fashioned. But perhaps Vetted might want to chat with the folks at some other well-known app-based pet care company once worth $650 million that was all over the news last week after being valued at less than $6 million.
Thanks for reading.
Pet Camp has been providing award winning pet care to San Francisco’s pet parents since 1997. If you are a pet parent in need of overnight care (boarding) for your dog or cat, dog day care, bathing/grooming for your dog or cat or dog training, give us a call and chat with one of the counselors.
