Pets at Home has taken a stake in online pet-sitting service Tailster as it targets a bigger slice of a market said to be worth more than £1bn per year.

Pets at Home did not disclose the size or price of its investment, but said it was a milestone in its ambitions to generate 50% of its revenues from pet services and “becoming a one-stop shop for pet families”.

Tailster, which also offers kennel and cattery services, has 26,000 registered carers, and technology enabling owners to track their pets’ using GPS and an app.

Pets at Home will offer Tailster’s services to its 4.4 million active VIP loyalty scheme customers.

The retailer said services are the fastest-growing segment of the pet-care market and the deal “extends Pets at Home’s addressable market via a market leading partner”.

Pets at Home chief executive Peter Pritchard said: “It is a win-win deal, good for both businesses but especially good for owners searching for someone they can trust to look after their much-loved pet.”

Tailster chief executive Indy Sangha said: “We’ve spent the past few years consolidating a previously fragmented market and we’re delighted to be able to now offer this to Pets at Home customers.

“Not only do the team at Pets at Home share our vision about how we can bring our services to UK pet owners and drive the growth of our business, but they also share many of our values of putting pets first, and the customer at the heart of what we do.”

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