From a Personal Need to a Dog-Boarding Business: How a Pune Startup Is Building Its Pet-Care Model

Reported by Pranjal Netam
Pune, 9th September 2026: Finding someone to look after a dog while travelling can be a challenge for pet owners, particularly in cities where more households are keeping pets. A Pune-based startup, Doggotel India, is trying to address this demand through a boarding facility in Wagholi that combines shared and private accommodation with structured care.

Founded by hospitality management graduate Aditya Dhuri and his wife Garima Dhuri, Doggotel began operations in May 2022. The idea emerged after the couple struggled to find a suitable boarding facility for their own dogs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Instead of relying on conventional kennel arrangements, the couple decided to establish their own facility.

“Our belief has always been simple — having a pet should be an advantage, not a restriction,” the founders said.

A boarding model based on dog behaviour
A key part of Doggotel’s operating model is assessing a dog’s temperament before accepting it for boarding.

The assessment looks at factors such as anxiety, confidence and how the animal behaves around other dogs. Dogs that are comfortable in groups are accommodated in shared dormitories, while animals that are older, anxious or less comfortable around other dogs can be placed in private rooms.

The founders said the approach was developed to manage differences in behaviour rather than placing all dogs in the same type of accommodation.

The facility also requires vaccination records and preventive treatment for ticks and fleas. Kennel cough vaccination is among the requirements, while dogs may also undergo a trial stay or behavioural assessment before being accepted for longer boarding.

Puppies that have not completed their vaccinations are kept in private rooms, according to the company. Dogs requiring medication or additional care are also accommodated separately.

Technology used to manage bookings and care
Aditya’s hospitality background has influenced the business’s operational systems. Doggotel has developed an in-house platform through which customers can register their dogs, upload vaccination documents and provide details about allergies, medical history and feeding requirements.

The platform also handles boarding preferences, pick-up and drop-off requests and estimated charges.

For staff, the system is used to track check-ins, check-outs, medication, bathing schedules and other instructions provided by owners.

The company said the system was developed as the number of bookings increased and more information had to be managed for individual dogs.

Designing a swimming pool for dogs
The facility also has a swimming pool, but its design was developed through several trials, according to the founders.

The team initially used concrete but found it difficult to maintain. A rubber-coated surface provided better grip but was damaged by dogs’ nails. Fibreglass was subsequently tested but was found to be too slippery.

The final pool was built using granite, with ramps and textured surfaces intended to provide better traction. It also has a filtration system, while the team monitors chlorine and pH levels.

Swimming sessions can be booked separately from boarding.

Veterinary support and overnight supervision
The facility has arrangements with veterinary clinics and 24-hour emergency animal hospitals in Pune. Owners’ regular veterinarian details are collected before boarding.

If a dog develops signs of illness during its stay, the company said it is moved to a separate area where necessary and the owner is informed. Depending on the situation, staff can arrange a veterinary consultation or take the animal to an emergency hospital.

Caregivers remain at the facility overnight to supervise the dogs.
The company also provides owners with photographs and videos of their pets during their stay through Instagram Stories.

1,500 bookings in the past year
Doggotel currently has more than 400 registered pet parents, according to the founders. The company says it handled more than 1,500 boarding bookings in the past year, with the average stay lasting about 10 nights.
The facility can accommodate around 30 to 45 dogs at a time, using a combination of shared dormitories and private rooms.

A team of six caregivers and staff members manages the facility’s daily operations.

The company follows scheduled meal timings, with food including rice, vegetables, chicken stock or curd, boiled eggs, buttermilk and boiled boneless chicken. Owners can provide specific feeding instructions for their dogs.

The founders said repeat bookings account for a significant portion of their business, with customers coming from Pune as well as Mumbai.

Bootstrapped business considers expansion
Doggotel has so far been bootstrapped, with the founders using personal loans and financial support from friends and family to fund the business.
The company is currently working on standardising its operating processes and developing its technology platform before expanding.

The founders are considering company-owned centres, franchise partnerships or a combination of the two. Specific locations and investment plans have not yet been finalised.

For the founders, the business grew out of a problem they encountered themselves. Four years after opening, they are now attempting to turn that initial solution into a more structured pet-care operation as demand for services catering to urban pet owners grows.

Doggotel India
More Corner, Near Rohan Abhilasha, Wagholi, Pune – 412207
Website: Doggotel.in
Instagram: @doggotel.india