In a pioneering move to enhance animal welfare in Bangladesh, Susthotaa has introduced the nation's first-ever pet ambulance service. This initiative aims to provide timely medical assistance to pets in need, ensuring that no animal suffers due to a lack of transportation during emergencies.

Star Lifestyle spoke with Mezbaul Amin, the co-founder and CEO of Susthotaa, to delve deeper into the motivations and aspirations behind this groundbreaking service.

What was the primary inspiration behind launching a pet ambulance service?

If I take you back to the beginning, last year, around May, we started working on ambulance services across Bangladesh. Over time, we noticed a major issue — many animals, especially stray dogs and cats, were dying simply because of a lack of proper transportation during emergencies.

The biggest inspiration for us was our chairman, Angelo Afnan Hamid, whose pet dog died due to lack of transportation. We wanted to change that. Every life is valuable, and we believed that if we could contribute in any way, we should. Our goal has been to ensure that no pet suffers — or worse, loses its life — just because help could not reach them in time.

However, one of the biggest logistical challenges we faced was that traditional ambulance providers were not willing to take on this kind of service. So, we had to find those who were willing and start working with them. While there are a significant number of ambulances available nationwide through various platforms, the number of pet ambulances is still extremely low.

Many hesitate to take bold steps due to logistical challenges. What gave you the confidence to make this idea a reality?

The confidence came from our mission, ensuring that no pet is left untreated simply due to lack of transport. We realised that pet owners needed a service they could rely on at any hour, especially during critical emergencies.

Additionally, the response from the community has been overwhelming. The growing concern for pet healthcare and welfare in Bangladesh encouraged us to move forward with this initiative. We saw a gap, and we wanted to bridge it. Overall, it was a team effort that made it a reality.

If someone's pet falls sick in the middle of the night, how quickly can your ambulance respond? What's the booking process like?

Now, imagine this scenario – it's 2 or 3 AM, and suddenly your pet falls critically ill. That's where we come in. Our goal is to provide an immediate response, 24/7.

The booking process is simple and efficient. Pet owners can request an ambulance through our hotline, ensuring that help is dispatched as quickly as possible. Time is crucial in emergencies, and we are committed to minimising delays.

Do you plan to extend your service to street animals in the future?

Our ambulance service is not just limited to pets; we actually provide emergency medical transportation for stray animals as well. We are absolutely committed to supporting animals in every way possible.

Long-term, our vision is to build a comprehensive healthcare solution for all animals in need. We want to ensure they receive the proper medical attention they deserve. Every life matters and we are determined to create a system where no animal suffers due to a lack of emergency care.

Right now, the service is ground-breaking – but what's next? Are there any expansion plans?

Absolutely. This is just the beginning. While our pet ambulance service is currently operational, we are exploring expansion plans to cover more cities across Bangladesh.

Our ultimate goal is to create a nationwide network of animal healthcare solutions, ensuring that emergency and routine medical care is accessible to all.

Pet owners can access this vital service by calling the hotline at 09601 222 777 or by visiting Susthotaa's official website at www.susthotaa.com.

Photo: Courtesy