PupTaxi startup launches in Springfield to transport dogs

Drew Bradley, founder of PupTaxi, said the creation of his new Springfield-based company was inspired by his own experience as a long-time dog owner trying to drop off or pick up his pet to daycare or appointments while juggling a busy schedule.

“It was solving a problem, like why isn’t there somebody out here that has a taxi for dogs,” he said. “I just took that idea and ran with it.”

The result was a startup launched in mid-June with the help of investors. The first vehicles have been purchased and outfitted to transport dogs, the website is live and a mobile app is in the final testing stages. 

The company has an air-conditioned shuttle van to transport up to four dogs in airline-grade kennels. 

A 2018 Ford Focus has also been modified to create a padded, climate-controlled cabin. There is also a foldable ramp so dogs can walk into the car on the passenger side. 

“They have easy access to get in and out,” he said.

Bradley said the service can be booked to safely transport dogs of any size – they just can’t be aggressive – to veterinary and grooming appointments, daycare services, airports and boarding facilities.

“We’d ask owners to be upfront and honest with us. If they have a dog that might be a little more rambunctious, we might send the driver that is more experienced with that breed of dog,” he said. “On the book-a-ride section, our intake sheet, we ask for dog size, the weight and temperament.”

The minimum fare is $25 plus mileage. Rides can be booked within a 50-mile radius of Springfield. 

“As this grows and expands out to Republic, Nixa, Rogersville, I’d like to have a driver in every one of those cities,” he said. 

Bradley, who has a bachelor’s degree in business from Missouri State University, said he worked in retail, sales and in the music industry as an events organizer and promoter. 

There are add-on charges for same-day or weekend and holiday bookings, extra-large dogs, or special care required of senior, disabled or anxious dogs.

Customers can also pay extra to have a PupTaxi driver wait with the dog during an appointment. 

Bradley said the initial startup costs were less than $20,000, and he is in the process of looking for more drivers. He is the primary driver during the initial phase to ensure quality and make tweaks.

He said the service is ideal for pet owners who are older or have mobility issues and do not want to wrangle a dog into a car and drive them across town to an appointment.

“We are Uber for dogs, essentially,” he said.

PupTaxi is doing business under EJL Acquisitions LLC. At this point, the company’s insurance policy does not allow pet owners to ride along. He said the app being tested will have a tracking element so the owner can follow its stops.

“The biggest way for us to gain trust is going to be through communication,” he said. 

Bradley said the company wants to partner with groomers, veterinarians and dog boarders so word will spread quickly. They have also reached out to nonprofits including K9s for Camo Inc., which trains service dogs for veterans, and plan to give back.