Award-winning pet transport service Pets 2 Places Limited has welcomed its first franchisee in Solihull.

Nic Hughes, 50, launched in January 2022 and has already made a big splash, helping pet owners in the town who would otherwise be struggling to get their pets to essential appointments such as the vets and training. 

But it not just about getting to those appointments – Pets 2 Places is there for the fun stuff too, taking pets and their owners on visits to friends and family and even on holiday.

The pet taxi business was set up in 2014 by Claire Harris who realised many elderly and vulnerable pet owners struggled to get around with their pets.

Demand for the service grew across the UK and in 2021 Claire opened up franchise opportunities for animals lovers to join her team following the impact that the Covid pandemic had.

Claire, 43, said: "It's fantastic to be able to be able to provide this service in another area and I'm really excited to be working with Nic.

"Being able to work with pets, making sure they are healthy and happy and keeping pets and their owners together is so rewarding.

"It’s been my mission to be able to build a community of Pets 2 Places pet taxi services across the UK with people loving their work with animals.

"The pandemic has helped us see how much our pets mean to us, and it's a pleasure to be able to help people and give them peace of mind that wherever they need to go with their pet, we can make it happen."

As well as trips to the vets, taxis are used to see friends, to visit dog friendly holiday locations, training classes, groomers, and to transport pets between homes when pet parents are separated.

“And the service continues to go from strength to strength and we are fielding calls from key areas such as Manchester, London and Birmingham. These are not one off calls – we have customers already in the database who want to make use of our service.”

Nic, a former childminder, said she is looking forward to supporting local pet owners.

She said: "As an animal lover I know how important it is that our pets get the care they need and that we spend as much time with them as we can.

"This is such an important service and a lifeline for many people who are vulnerable and isolated and their pet is everything to them, and I delighted that the service has been so well received already."

Anyone interested in learning more about Pets2Places can visit https://pets2places.co.uk/become-a-franchise/