Rover, a US-based dogsitting service provider backed by pet products retailer Petco, has joined forces with DogVacay, a US-based online and mobile petsitting platform.
The two hope the deal will help them accelerate international expansion efforts. Aaron Easterly, chief executive of Rover, will remain as CEO of the combined entity, while Aaron Hirschhorn, chief executive of DogVacay, will join Rover’s board of directors.
Founded in 2012, DogVacay enables owners to book a stay for their pet with a host while they are out of town.
The company has raised a total of $47m, most recently obtaining $25m in series B1 funding led by Omers Ventures, the VC arm of state-owned Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System.
The series B1 round also included GSV Capital, Science, First Round Capital, Benchmark, Foundation Capital, and DAG Ventures.
Rover operates an online marketplace for owners to book dog sitters and walkers, allowing owners to track activity and see photos of their pet through an app.
The company has raised a total of $91.5m, most recently closing a $40m series E round in October 2016 co-led by Foundry Group and Menlo Ventures, with participation from Madrona Venture Group.
Petco took part in a $25m round in 2015 led by Technology Crossover Ventures with participation from Foundry, Madrona and Menlo. Petco also contributed to a $3.5m round in 2013 and a $12m round in 2013. Rover’s shareholders also include venture fund CrunchFund.
Aaron Easterly, chief executive of Rover, said: “Rover and DogVacay are both made up of dog people on a mission to enable everyone to experience the love and joy of a pet.
“Together, we can accomplish our goals quicker and make an even bigger impact. Plus, this partnership will enable us to pick up engineering velocity, bring new products to market faster and invest even more aggressively in building the best tools for our sitters and dog walkers.”