New-to-market vet Petfolk opening in Whole Foods-anchored Midlothian shopping center this week. Vet clinic Petfolk is planning to open its first Virginia outpost at Midlothian Depot. (Jack Jacobs photo) A fast-growing veterinary care provider is set to make its Richmond-area debut. Petfolk is planning to open a location on Friday at 1008 Steam Ave., within the Whole Foods-anchored Midlothian Depot shopping center in Chesterfield County. The animal care chain's landing in Midlothian is its latest step in the northward expansion of its footprint from North Carolina, and aims to capitalize on what it sees as a demand spurred by growth in western Chesterfield, Petfolk co-CEO Michael Wystrach said. "From our data, there does appear to be a veterinary shortage in that area, with increased population and increasing pet demands. So that's an area that we think a pet parent needs options," Wystrach said. The upcoming Midlothian spot would be the first Petfolk clinic in Virginia, and is expected to be followed by more locations elsewhere in the state in the coming few years. "In Richmond, we're going to focus on this one, and then look at additional parts of the Virginia market. We're long-term believers in the Virginia-D.C. corridor. We're going to put multiple locations in that market over the next three to five years," Wystrach said. Petfolk provides both primary and urgent care for pets, the latter of which Wystrach said is a relatively new trend in animal medicine. "Veterinary care is you either have your vet or you go into an emergency room. The cost for an emergency room can get very expensive. What we're seeing is pet parents are looking for urgent care first," Wystrach said. Petfolk locations offer dental care, spay and neutering and diagnostics. The upcoming Midlothian clinic will operate out of a 2,200-square-foot space and have six exam rooms. Wystrach declined to share the investment made in the local clinic. Petfolk offers a membership priced at $199 per year, which provides discounts on exams and vaccinations in addition to other perks. A membership isn't required to make an appointment. Petfolk has headquarters offices in New York and Charlotte, North Carolina. The company currently has nearly 50 clinics, according to Wystrach. Petfolk was ranked 160 in this year's Inc. 5000 rankings of fastest-growing companies. The company closed on a $40 million capital raise in August, and has raised more than $150 million from investors since 2022, the Charlotte Business Journal reported. In addition to co-founding Petfolk, Wystrach co-founded meal delivery service Freshly, which was sold to Nestle in 2020. Wystrach and his sister Audrey Wystrach launched Petfolk that same year. Audrey is a veterinarian and the company's co-CEO. Petfolk is slated to be among the first businesses to open at Midlothian Depot, the new mixed-use development at Midlothian Turnpike and Alverser Drive. Marijuana-themed sandwich shop Cheba Hut has already opened, and the center's anchor Whole Foods plans to open later this month.

Petfolk winner of 2026 Pet Innovation Award for "Pet Care Innovation of the Year" Pet Innovation Awards Annual Awards Program Recognizes Companies, Services And Products Within The Rapidly Expanding Pet Industry That Exemplify Excellence & Innovation LOS ANGELES, Aug. 06, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) - The 2026 Pet Innovation Awards today announced that Petfolk, the modern veterinary company built by veterinarians to make pet care more connected, transparent, and accessible, is the recipient of "Pet Care Innovation of the Year." The Pet Innovation Awards is an independent recognition platform highlighting the most innovative companies, services, and products in the highly competitive Pet care industry. The 8th annual awards program highlights solutions and products shaping the future of pet care, from nutrition and wellness to grooming and safety. Petfolk combines veterinary expertise with AI-powered technology for easier vet visits, savings, and 24/7 access to trusted support. The company's all-in-one membership helps with planning and simplifying pet care and includes: Primary Veterinary Care, Wellness Exams, Vaccinations, Flea, Tick and Heartworm Prevention, Urgent Care, Dental Care, Surgery, Nutrition and more. The Petfolk app lets pet owners book and manage appointments and access real-time information about their pet's health and wellness. Petfolk integrates everything pets and their parents need in their journey, from virtual care, 24/7 messaging to care teams, real-time chat with medical professionals, access to pet records, as well as personalized pet health insights. The app makes veterinary care more connected, convenient, and proactive. "At Petfolk, we believe the best veterinary care starts with great medicine. Everything we've built, from our hospitals to our technology, is designed to strengthen the relationship between veterinarians, pets, and the people who love them," said Dr. Audrey Wystrach, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Petfolk. "We're honored to receive the Pet Innovation Award for 'Pet Care Innovation of the Year.' This recognition reinforces what we've believed from day one: veterinary care can be more connected, more accessible, and a better experience for both pets and the professionals who care for them. We're excited to continue bringing that vision to more communities across the country." The mission of the annual Pet Innovation Awards Program is to honor innovation and recognize excellence, hard work and success in a range of Pet Care industry categories, including Apparel, Food & Treats, Health, Personalized & Functional Pet Nutrition, Sustainable & Eco-Friendly Pet Products, Retail & Services, Senior Pet Care and more. The 2026 Pet Innovation Awards attracted thousands of nominations from around the world.