Animal Taxi Driver Shares Inside Look at Unique Service
Aleksey Kochigin from Yaroslavl is a taxi driver with the most unusual passengers. The 55-year-old entrepreneur opened an animal transportation business two years ago. He delivers furry friends to clinics, to dachas, and even transports them to other regions to give to new families.
In a conversation with 76.RU, Aleksey openly talked about how he came up with the idea for unusual transports, whether his services are in demand, and what he has to deal with during work.
«I Had to Take a Kitten to Nerekhta»
The business idea came to Aleksey in 2023. Then, neighbors asked him for help—they needed to transport a dog.
«I had four dogs at that time. As they say, I have experience, I did it, they liked it. And the idea took off. I started transporting,» Aleksey said.
The entrepreneur posted his first advertisement. Ten days after publication, the first order came in.
«I had to transport a kitten from Yaroslavl to Nerekhta. Everything went well. Then I realized that I needed to develop somehow, so I created a page on VKontakte. People started joining. And I started looking for [clients] in different groomers, clinics, inviting everyone to my group. People responded,» Aleksey said.
Over time, word of mouth started working. Clients became more numerous. Mainly, according to Aleksey, 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,« Aleksey said.
«Sometimes You Have to Walk Them, Sometimes Give Them Water»
Cats in Aleksey«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. He covered the surface with linoleum, and for each dog, the 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,» Aleksey said.
A mandatory condition is the presence of a collar on the pet. With its help, Aleksey 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 of the dog climbing into the cabin. And we don»t need anything else—no cages, no muzzles,« Aleksey said.
In 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 right to transport a pet on a soft seat, as it is unstable and traumatic both for the driver and for 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 is more correct,» Aleksey said.
According to Aleksey, to neighboring regions, he often has to transport puppies from breeders, who send them to new families. Within the city and from local villages, animals usually need transportation to a veterinary clinic.
«Some Don»t Want to Clean Up Fur«
Aleksey is confident that the pet taxi service is in demand because sometimes it is 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 am a dog owner myself, I take such things normally. And I don«t have allergies either,» Aleksey laughed.
Among Aleksey«s unusual trips—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. There was some other livestock, but I don»t remember anymore,« Aleksey said.
The entrepreneur admits—he remembers clients mainly by the names of the animals.
«Indeed, there are clients who order transportation almost every week. It happens that I don»t even ride with the owners,« Aleksey said.
When asked about favorite passengers, Aleksey answers with a smile.
«Every client is my favorite passenger. But, since I have an Akita Inu myself, I am more sympathetic to dogs of that type. Akitas, Samoyeds, Huskies. Everything that is closer, like mine.»
Since September 2023, Aleksey has made almost two thousand trips. According to Aleksey, 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, judging by the price list published in Aleksey«s group, are higher than in standard taxis for people. For example, a trip within Yaroslavl costs from 900 rubles (about $9). 1200 for an hour of city travel (about $13) and 1800—for an hour and a half (about $19). For transportation without accompaniment, an additional 20% of the service cost is added. Additional services can also be ordered for separate payment. For example, dropping off or picking up a pet at the clinic without visiting a doctor will cost 500 rubles (about $5). Suburban and intercity trips are calculated using a separate system.
According to Aleksey, he travels outside the city on average once a week. Mainly, city transportation is ordered. Nevertheless, his own business helped him discover new places.
«I had never been to Nizhny Novgorod, to Sudogda, and even in other nearby regions. Thanks to having to transport pets there, I saw something somewhere, looked around. Our country is quite beautiful,» Aleksey said.
«I Prefer Transporting Cats or Dogs»
Animals are Aleksey«s only passengers. When asked why he doesn»t taxi like other drivers, the entrepreneur answers jokingly.
«There is a proverb: the more I get to know people, the more I like dogs. Of course, this is a joke. I repeat: I love animals, dogs. I somehow prefer to transport a dog or a cat rather than a person. Moreover, indeed, of course, it is quite difficult for pet owners to move around the city to clinics and to the groomer. And, as I already said, for those with several pets—it»s generally problematic to leave by taxi. The sphere is free, I can provide this service. It seems like people like it. We work,« Aleksey said.
And in general, Aleksey says, such work makes him happy and feel that the entrepreneur brings benefit to others.
«Positivity is in everything. For the client—because it»s their beloved pet. For me—because I am a dog owner. Every time I am interested in getting to know new clients. While I ask what the pet«s name is, while I get acquainted. Sometimes I give some advice, while we go to the clinic or where they ordered. I like it.»
