Rakesh Santhapur

Journey from Passion to Purpose

Rakesh Santhapur

Co-Founder

Dr. Paws

For modern pet parents, pets are family, deserving the same care and attention as children. This perspective deeply resonates with Rakesh Santhapur, who has been surrounded by pets since childhood. He developed an intimate understanding of the joys and challenges of pet care. Parenting his dog Choco further deepened his understanding of the gap in India’s veterinary care ecosystem, where modern pet parents often struggled to find comprehensive, quality care that met their expectations. With the desire to address this unmet need, Rakesh co-founded Dr. Paws, a chain of modern veterinary hospitals designed to change pet care in India. Dr. Paws offers a holistic range of services under one roof, including advanced diagnostics, specialised surgeries, grooming, pain management therapies, and retail products. What sets the clinics apart is their pet-centric design that has soothing interiors, separate waiting areas for cats and dogs, and a focus on hygiene tailored to enhance comfort for pets and their families. Rakesh’s transition from consulting to entrepreneurship reflects his ability to align passion with purpose. A former consultant with BCG, where he earned accolades like the “Key to Purpose” award (given to the top 10 employees for insight generation globally across BCG), he brought his expertise in strategy, operations, and customer-focused problemsolving to Dr. Paws. By blending clinical excellence with warm hospitality, Dr. Paws not only fills a critical gap in the market but also sets a new benchmark for pet care, making a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their parents across India. Speaking with TradeFlock, Rakesh discusses more about his journey.

How did your experiences at Cure. fit and BCG shape the creation of Dr. Paws?

My journey at Cure.fit and BCG laid the groundwork for creating Dr. Paws. At Cure.fit, I learnt how to craft customer-first services, harness technology for seamless experiences, and scale brands in tough markets. These lessons now shape the pet-parent experience at Dr. Paws. At BCG, I sharpened my strategic thinking and operational problem-solving skills, essential for tackling challenges and delivering results. These experiences fused vision with execution, enabling Dr. Paws to redefine pet care with compassion, quality, and a keen focus on market needs.

How does your leadership philosophy align with Dr. Paws' mission?

My leadership philosophy revolves around empathy, collaboration, and empowering individuals to excel. I focus on creating an environment where everyone feels valued, fostering shared success. At Dr. Paws, this aligns perfectly with our mission of delivering compassionate, high-quality care for pets. We treat every pet like our own, and I extend the same care to my team. By prioritising their well-being and leading with purpose, I ensure every decision supports our larger vision of exceptional care and a strong, motivated team.

What has been your most defining period and why?

Personally, the 2+ years I spent at Cure.fit is the most defining time for me. I got opportunities to do some great roles—lead P&L, build a market intelligence function, and launch a new brand and product. I feel that time gave me the confidence to build in the offline services sector. But the next 1-2 years will be very important for us at Dr. Paws. As we scale the brand and offerings, maintaining the same level of operational rigor and experience levels at each one of the clinics that we open will define the growth story of Dr. Paws.

What activities help you recharge and maintain balance outside of work?

When I’m not working, I love traveling with my wife, Tejaswini, and our furbaby, Choco. Travel is my time to disconnect, recharge, and reflect on the bigger picture for Dr. Paws. We’re drawn to wildlife, beaches, and historic places, where we can unwind, reconnect as a family, and gain fresh perspectives.

What were the biggest challenges in reimagining veterinary care, and how did you overcome them?

Reimagining veterinary care in India has been both exciting and challenging. A key hurdle is the inconsistent quality and accessibility of care, which we address by standardising services to ensure high-quality care across all Dr. Paws clinics. Building trust with pet parents, many of whom already have a preferred vet, was tackled through community outreach, free medical camps, and transparent communication. Recruiting skilled veterinarians is another challenge, addressed by fostering growth through regular training, mentorship, and career development opportunities, ensuring a strong, motivated team.

How do you define success as an entrepreneur?

Success as an entrepreneur evolves with time. Initially, it’s about survival and proving product-market fit through milestones like clinic launches and customer feedback. Over time, it shifts to impact, scalability, and building a strong team. Ultimately, success is creating lasting value in pet care and earning customer loyalty.

How is technology shaping the future of veterinary care, and how is Dr. Paws preparing?

Technology will revolutionise veterinary care by enhancing accessibility, precision, and efficiency. Innovations like e-consultations, AI-driven diagnostics, and wearable health trackers will enable personalised, proactive care. At Dr. Paws, we’re embracing this future by integrating e-consultations and electronic medical records for seamless care. We’re also exploring AI-based diagnostics and investing in tech and training to improve both treatment outcomes and the overall pet care experience for pet parents.