Retailer aims to be a one-stop-shop for pet parents

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Walmart on Thursday launched Walmart Pet Care, a full-service omnichannel pet care offering that includes pet insurance and services like dog-walking and pet sitting, in addition to the pet food, accessories and other products retailers traditionally stock in their pet departments.

“We’re on a mission to help families live better – and that goes for pets, too,” said Melody Richard, Walmart’s merchandising vice president, for pets. “Especially as adoption rates soar as a result of the pandemic and more people become pet owners, this was the perfect time to launch expanded services in Walmart Pet Care for our customers. As the most-shopped omnichannel retailer for pet products, our new pet care services and support offer our customers trusted, convenient services that provide the exceptional care their pets deserve.”

Walmart said it is leveraging partnerships with industry-leading providers in a bid to provide its customers a one-stop shop for trusted pet care programs and merchandise. The retailer is partnering with the pet insurance provider Petplan to offer Walmart Pet Insurance, which is billed as an accessible insurance solution customers can buy where they get their pet food and other pet care products.

The retailer notes that 98% of U.S. pets are uninsured*, even though one-third of Americans cannot cover an unexpected medical bill over $100. Working with Petplan, Walmart is offering its customers the ability to save up to 10% on their policies and sign-up for an insurance plan that provides coverage for veterinary fees due to accident, injury or illness, including chronic and hereditary conditions. Walmart Pet Insurance also allows customers to file claims and schedule appointments through Petplan’s digital service. Each policy also includes access to $1,000 worth of online virtual vet appointments at no additional charge.

Walmart Pet Care will also include pet sitting and dog walking services through Rover, an website and app that provides access to trusted neighborhood care. Through Rover, pet parents can quickly and easily book pet sitters and dog walkers from over 300,000 local providers in communities across the country. Walmart is working with Rover to provide customers with convenient pet sitters and dog walkers that match each pet, lifestyle and budget. As a perk for pet owners who book services through Rover, Walmart customers will receive a $20 Walmart gift card for their first completed service and another $20 Walmart gift card if they complete their fifth services within six months.

The Walmart Pet Care suite of services also includes Walmart PetRx, the in-store and online pharmacy services that Walmart debuted last year, which offers consumers pet prescriptions at reduced prices.

Walmart Pet Care is just one of the recent investments the retailer has made in the Pet category, joining its growing assortment of over 1,800 premium and specialty pet products and the expansion of in-store vet clinics that offer Walmart customers quality pet care, conveniently where they shop.