Yaroslavl Pet Taxi Driver Reveals Inside Story of Unusual Business
Alexei Kochigin from Yaroslavl is a taxi driver with the most unusual passengers. The 55-year-old entrepreneur opened a business transporting animals two years ago. He delivers furry friends to clinics, to country houses, and even takes them to other regions to be given to new families.
In a conversation with 76.RU, Alexei openly discussed how the entrepreneur came up with the idea for unusual transportation, whether his services are in demand, and what he has to face during work.
«We Had to Take a Kitten to Nerekhta»
The business idea came to Alexei in 2023. Then, his neighbors turned to him for help—they needed to transport a dog.
«At that time, I had four dogs. As they say, I have experience, I did it, they liked it. And the idea started spinning. I began transporting,» Alexei said.
The entrepreneur placed his first advertisement. Ten days after publication, the first order came in.
«We needed to transport a kitten from Yaroslavl to Nerekhta (Kostroma Oblast). Everything turned out well. Then I realized that I needed to develop somehow, so I created a page on VKontakte. People started joining. And I began looking for [clients] at various groomers, clinics, inviting everyone to my group. People responded,» Alexei said.
Over time, word of mouth started working. Clients became more numerous. Mainly, according to Alexei, the services are in demand among owners of large dogs and those with several animals in the family.
«Because city taxis can»t always transport them. Well, and many regular clients with cats,« Alexei said.
«Sometimes You Have to Walk Them, Sometimes Give Them Water»
Cats in Alexei«s car ride without carriers—they can simply occupy the back seat. And dogs, especially large ones, often ride in the equipped trunk of the minivan. The entrepreneur covered the surface with linoleum, and for each dog, a cardboard bedding is changed. He has water and disposable bowls in reserve.
«Very often people order transportation without accompaniment, but there are trips from Yaroslavl to Moscow, to Nizhny Novgorod, and other nearby regions. Sometimes I have to walk the pet myself, sometimes give it water,» Alexei said.
A mandatory condition is the presence of a collar on the pet. With its help, Alexei secures dogs in the trunk with improvised «seat belts».
«First, it»s good for the dog—it won«t get hurt in case of a sudden maneuver on the road. And second, it minimizes the possibility that the dog will climb into the cabin. And we don»t need anything else—no cages, no muzzles,« Alexei said.
On a passenger car, according to the entrepreneur, it would be difficult to transport animals. Four-legged passengers require a lot of space and comfortable conditions.
«It»s not quite correct to transport a pet on a soft seat, as it«s unstable and injury-prone both for the driver and the animal. Mostly, pets go to the clinic with some problems. They don»t always stand confidently on their paws. And accordingly, when the surface is hard and the seat belt is fastened, I believe it«s more correct,» Alexei said.
According to Alexei, to neighboring regions, he more often has to transport puppies from breeders, who send them to new families. Within the city and from local villages, animals usually require transportation to a veterinary clinic.
«Some Don»t Want to Clean Up Fur«
Alexei is sure that the «pet taxi» service is in demand because sometimes it«s difficult for pet owners to find an option for transporting their pet. Not all drivers agree to let a cat or dog into the cabin. Moreover, the taxi driver might have allergies.
«Some, perhaps, don»t want to clean up fur after a dog or cat. And since I«m a dog person myself—I»m fine with such things. And I don«t have allergies either,» Alexei laughed.
Among Alexei«s unusual trips is transporting eight dogs at once.
«And a move from Yaroslavl to Rybinsk. It can really be called a circus move. There were parrots, guinea pigs, a dog, a cat, fish. I think there was some other livestock, but I don»t remember,« Alexei said.
The entrepreneur admits—he remembers clients mainly by the animals« names.
«Indeed, there are clients who order transportation almost every week. It happens that I don»t even ride with the owners,« Alexei said.
When asked about his favorite passengers, Alexei answers with a smile.
«Every client is my favorite passenger. But since I have an Akita Inu myself, I»m more sympathetic to dogs of that type. Akitas, Samoyeds, Huskies. Everything that«s closer, like mine.»
Since September 2023, Alexei has made almost two thousand trips. According to Alexei, judging by the advertisements published online, he is not the only pet taxi driver in the city. But the entrepreneur is not afraid of competition—he says, well, there«s enough work for everyone.
Prices for animal transportation, according to the price list published in Alexei«s group, are higher than in standard taxis for people. For example, a trip within Yaroslavl costs from 900 rubles (approximately $10 at current rates). 1,200 for an hour of travel in the city and 1,800 for an hour and a half. For transportation without accompaniment, an additional 20% of the service cost is added. You can also order additional services for a separate fee. For example, dropping off or picking up a pet at the clinic without visiting a doctor will cost 500 rubles (approximately $6). Suburban and intercity trips are calculated according to a separate system.
According to Alexei, he travels outside the city on average once a week. Mainly, transportation within the city is ordered. Nevertheless, his own business helped him discover new places.
«I had never been to Nizhny Novgorod, to Sudogda (Vladimir Oblast), and to other nearby regions before. Thanks to having to transport pets there, I saw something somewhere, looked around. Our country is quite beautiful,» Alexei said.
«I Prefer Transporting a Kitten or a Little Dog»
Animals are Alexei«s only passengers. When asked why he doesn»t taxi like other drivers, the entrepreneur answers jokingly.
«There»s a proverb: the more I learn about people, the more I love dogs. Of course, that«s a joke. I repeat: I love animals, dogs. Somehow, I prefer transporting a little dog or kitten rather than a person. Moreover, indeed, of course, it»s quite difficult for pet owners to get around the city to clinics and to the groomer. And, as I already said, for those with several pets—it«s generally problematic to take a taxi. The field is free, one can provide this service. It seems people like it. We»re working,« Alexei said.
And in general, Alexei says, such work makes him happy and feel that the entrepreneur brings benefit to those around him.
«Positivity is in everything here. For the client—because it»s their beloved pet. For me—because I«m a dog person. Every time, I»m interested in meeting new clients. While asking what the pet«s name is, while getting acquainted. Sometimes giving some advice, while we»re going to the clinic or where they ordered. I like it.«
