The independent early-stage fund backing the next generation of pet health, longevity and consumer companies.
Providing early capital for the companies redefining pet care
Independent, early-stage, and operator-led, we use real founder experience to help teams move faster and build what the industry actually needs.
Our thesis covers eight connected segments driving a $542B shift in pet wellbeing:
Consumables
Veterinary
Services
Longevity
Pet Tech
Animal
Health
E-Commerce
Consumer
Services
Portfolio
Our Pack
Innovators shaping the future of pet care
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A new breed of dog park
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Air travel for dogs & their humans
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Low waste, high-class pet grooming
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Life-changing therapeutics for pets
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The world's first longevity medicines for cats
An AI-enabled diagnostics platform
Science-backed longevity nutrition for cats
AI-powered diagnostics for veterinary care
Meet Our Partners
Anna Skaya
Anna Skaya is a partner at Ani VC and the founder and former CEO of Basepaws, the pet genetics company acquired by Zoetis.
After multiple features on Shark Tank and years building one of the most recognizable brands in pet diagnostics, she now invests in and advises early-stage companies across the pet ecosystem.
She serves on the board of Petco Love, a national nonprofit that has invested $400M in improving the lives of pets and their people. Anna works with founders on brand building, commercialization, strategic partnerships, customer engagement, operational scaling, and preparing companies for acquisition.
Garri Zmudze
Garri Zmudze is a partner and one of the earliest investors focused on both longevity and veterinary biotech.
He also co-founded LongeVC in 2020, together with Ani VC, building venture firms dedicated to extending human and animal healthspan.
As an angel investor, Garri has backed category-defining companies including Insilico Medicine and Basepaws. He serves on the boards of the Longevity Biotechnology Association and the Sheba Longevity Center, helping accelerate biotech breakthroughs for people and their pets.
Our Team
Cameron Hurlburt
Senior Analyst
Konstantinos Maitos
Chief Financial Officer
Rebecca Strautmane
Operations
Mollie Fenn
Intern, Deals Team
Our Advisors
Andrew Bleiman
Andrew Bleiman leads Tractive’s North American business and previously scaled Furbo Dog Camera across the continent. He brings experience from Vulcan and Trunk Club and co-authored the ZooBorns series, with over two million books sold. Andrew also serves on the board of the Seattle Aquarium and advises AI and conservation-focused ventures.
Dr. Caroline Heller
Dr. Caroline Heller is a veterinarian and global animal health executive with leadership roles at Zoetis, Cargill Animal Nutrition, and Pfizer. Her work spans commercial development, global marketing, and strategic planning across the U.S. and Europe. She holds a DVM from Tufts and an MBA from Columbia and currently serves as chief business officer at Rumin8.
Dr. David Haworth
Dr. David Haworth is a veterinarian and former president and CEO of PetSmart Charities, where he oversaw one of the largest animal welfare funding organizations in the U.S. He previously served as Director of Global Alliances at Pfizer Animal Health and held senior roles at Zoetis. A respected leader in veterinary medicine and nonprofit strategy, he continues to advise animal health and philanthropic initiatives nationwide.
Dr. Michael Lairmore
Dr. Michael Lairmore is the former dean and distinguished professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where he led major expansions in research, clinical programs, and global health initiatives. Under his leadership, the school achieved top global rankings and raised over $300M. A renowned pathologist and virologist, he is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of AAAS.
Dr. Natalie Marks
Dr. Natalie Marks is the CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs (VANE) and a leading voice in veterinary services and animal health innovation. With over 25 years of clinical and leadership experience, she has served as associate veterinarian, medical director, and co-owner of Chicago’s premier small animal practice. She is also an award-winning educator, media personality, investor, and consultant.
Jackson Galaxy
Jackson Galaxy is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and host of My Cat From Hell, with over 30 years of hands-on experience working directly with cats and their owners. One of the most recognized voices in cat behavior globally, he has built an audience of nearly 9 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. His work has fundamentally shaped how people understand cats and the products they buy, making him an invaluable voice for the next generation of pet-focused startups.
Mitchell Marrow
Mitchell Marrow is a former hedge fund executive, NFL draft pick, and founder of Spot Group, a leading pet services platform he scaled and exited to a major industry player. He now advises and raises capital for companies across the pet, veterinary, and animal health sectors. Mitchell serves on advisory boards including Best Friends Pet Hotel, CoVet, VANE, NFL Alumni Health, and more.
Warren Rickard
Warren Rickard is a founder and operator with deep experience across pet and animal health, including founding Anivive Lifesciences and leading strategy at Addiction Pet Foods and Basepaws. He later served as Zoetis’ strategy lead and now advises companies across the U.S. and Asia.
Jackson Galaxy
Jackson Galaxy is a two-time New York Times bestselling author and host of My Cat From Hell, with over 30 years of hands-on experience working directly with cats and their owners. One of the most recognized voices in cat behavior globally, he has built an audience of nearly 9 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. His work has fundamentally shaped how people understand cats and the products they buy, making him an invaluable voice for the next generation of pet-focused startups.
Warren Rickard
Warren Rickard is a founder and operator with deep experience across pet and animal health, including founding Anivive Lifesciences and leading strategy at Addiction Pet Foods and Basepaws. He later served as Zoetis’ strategy lead and now advises companies across the U.S. and Asia.
Mitchell Marrow
Mitchell Marrow is a former hedge fund executive, NFL draft pick, and founder of Spot Group, a leading pet services platform he scaled and exited to a major industry player. He now advises and raises capital for companies across the pet, veterinary, and animal health sectors. Mitchell serves on advisory boards including Best Friends Pet Hotel, CoVet, VANE, NFL Alumni Health, and more.
Dr. Natalie Marks
Dr. Natalie Marks is the CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network for Entrepreneurs (VANE) and a leading voice in veterinary services and animal health innovation. With over 25 years of clinical and leadership experience, she has served as associate veterinarian, medical director, and co-owner of Chicago’s premier small animal practice. She is also an award-winning educator, media personality, investor, and consultant.
Dr. Michael Lairmore
Dr. Michael Lairmore is the former dean and distinguished professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, where he led major expansions in research, clinical programs, and global health initiatives. Under his leadership, the school achieved top global rankings and raised over $300M. A renowned pathologist and virologist, he is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a fellow of AAAS.
Dr. David Haworth
Dr. David Haworth is a veterinarian and former president and CEO of PetSmart Charities, where he oversaw one of the largest animal welfare funding organizations in the U.S. He previously served as Director of Global Alliances at Pfizer Animal Health and held senior roles at Zoetis. A respected leader in veterinary medicine and nonprofit strategy, he continues to advise animal health and philanthropic initiatives nationwide.
Dr. Caroline Heller
Dr. Caroline Heller is a veterinarian and global animal health executive with leadership roles at Zoetis, Cargill Animal Nutrition, and Pfizer. Her work spans commercial development, global marketing, and strategic planning across the U.S. and Europe. She holds a DVM from Tufts and an MBA from Columbia and currently serves as chief business officer at Rumin8.
Andrew Bleiman
Andrew Bleiman leads Tractive’s North American business and previously scaled Furbo Dog Camera across the continent. He brings experience from Vulcan and Trunk Club and co-authored the ZooBorns series, with over two million books sold. Andrew also serves on the board of the Seattle Aquarium and advises AI and conservation-focused ventures.
AI-powered diagnostics for veterinary care
Travv
An AI-powered platform connecting global veterinarians with expert diagnosticians through cloud-based radiology, pathology, and novel diagnostic services.
Science-backed longevity nutrition for cats
The Better Cat
Next-gen cat food combining fresh meat with targeted functional ingredients to support gut health, immunity, and vitality.
An AI-enabled diagnostics platform
MI:RNA Diagnostics
A next-gen, AI-enabled diagnostics platform leveraging microRNAs to deliver earlier, non-invasive disease detection and monitoring, empowering clinicians to improve outcomes across multiple animal species.
The world's first longevity medicines for cats
The Cat Health Company
A science-led platform creating targeted supplements and therapeutics focused on extending feline healthspan and improving long-term wellbeing.
Life-changing therapeutics for pets
Vetmab Biosciences
Developing next-generation monoclonal antibody therapeutics that target major unmet needs in companion animal health.
Low waste, high-class pet grooming
Lil Luv Dog
A sustainable grooming and pet-beauty brand creating high-performance, low-waste products for modern dog parents.
Air travel for dogs & their humans
RetrievAir
A dedicated flight service engineered for stress-free pet air travel, raising safety, comfort, and reliability standards across the industry.
A new breed of dog park
DOG PPL
A membership-based dog park network creating safe, well-designed spaces for dogs and their humans to connect, play, and build community.