— By Smita Dwivedi, featuring Dr. J.P. Gurbaxani
With nearly six decades of experience in veterinary and animal healthcare, Dr J. P. Gurbaxani has been associated with the development of India’s pet care industry for several decades. In this conversation with Dogs & Pups, he discusses the need for greater industry participation, knowledge sharing, international collaboration and mentoring of younger professionals. He also shares his views on the changing pet care market and the role of the Indian Pet Industry Association (IPIA) in bringing different stakeholders together.
Having witnessed significant changes in India’s veterinary and animal healthcare sector, he has spent the last 37 years working in the pet industry. During this period, he has been involved in bringing international brands and products to the Indian market. Today, he is also focusing on industry participation and creating platforms for interaction among professionals.
The Missing Link: Industry Participation
Despite the industry’s growth, he believes there is still limited collective participation among professionals.
“Everyone is working in isolation,” he says. “People believe they know everything. In countries like the United States and Japan, strong industry associations regularly bring professionals together to exchange ideas and learn from each other. That culture is still missing in India.”
According to him, participation needs to go beyond occasional networking and should involve regular interaction, exchange of knowledge and discussion of industry issues.
Learning Never Stops
He attributes much of his professional experience to continuous learning and exposure to international developments.
“When I started, there was nobody to guide us. I learnt by attending international exhibitions, meeting experts and understanding global trends. Every visit gave me an opportunity to bring something new to India.”
He feels that while products and services are now more widely available, professional knowledge, particularly in areas such as pet nutrition, still needs greater attention. “We must continue learning. That’s the only way the industry will evolve.”
The Next Growth Story: Cats
While dogs have traditionally dominated India’s organised pet care market, Dr Gurbaxani expects the cat segment to see significant growth.
“The cat segment is going to grow tremendously,” he says. “Companies should start investing in products, healthcare and nutrition specifically for cats. The future belongs there.”
The growing presence of cats as companion animals, particularly in urban households, is likely to create opportunities across products, healthcare and nutrition.
Building Relationships, One Visit at a Time
He continues to travel across the country and meet veterinarians and other professionals.
Whether it is Pune, Chennai or Bengaluru, he believes personal interaction is an important part of building professional relationships. Recently, before finalising recipients for the Indian Pet Industry Association (IPIA) Awards, he travelled to meet several veterinarians personally.
“I wanted to know them before honouring them,” he explains. “Meeting people personally builds trust. A phone call cannot replace that.”
“There is joy in meeting people. I never feel that visiting someone makes me smaller.”
For him maintaining a willingness to meet people and engage with the industry remains important.
“Ego kills growth,” he says. “You have to be a go-getter.”
Creating the Next Generation
Succession and the involvement of younger professionals are among the issues Dr Gurbaxani is currently considering.
He is working on a book documenting his professional journey and experiences, while also looking for young professionals who are interested in learning from his experience.
“Legacy cannot be transferred overnight,” he says. “It requires time, commitment, courage and curiosity.”
He believes the pet industry offers opportunities not only in business but also in consultancy, networking and knowledge sharing.
IPIA: Bringing the Industry Together
This approach is also reflected in the activities of the Indian Pet Industry Association (IPIA), where Dr Gurbaxani is involved in initiatives aimed at increasing interaction and collaboration across the sector.
One of the association’s initiatives this year was the Indian Pet Industry Award Night, which celebrated and awarded women veterinarians and women entrepreneurs for their contributions to animal healthcare and the pet care sector.
36 lady Veterinarians from Across India, Oncologist, Dermatologist, Ophthalmologist, Orthopaedic, Cardiologists and Physicians were awarded for their role in Veterinary Care by the Union Minister Professor S P Baghel, Government of India.
IPIA is also working on international interactions, including engagement with Japanese pet companies. The association is facilitating discussions around products such as pet nutraceutical drinks aimed at gut and kidney health, reflecting the increasing interaction between the Indian and international pet care markets.
Looking Ahead
His views centre on greater interaction within the industry, continued learning and sharing of professional knowledge. He also sees opportunities in emerging segments such as cat care and in stronger international collaboration.
After several decades in veterinary and pet care, his focus has increasingly moved towards industry participation and knowledge sharing alongside business activity.
As India’s pet care sector continues to expand, issues such as professional education, collaboration, new product categories, international exposure and succession are likely to remain important for the industry. He believes that stronger participation among its various stakeholders will be an important part of that process.