Our Journey: Growing Direct4Pet with a New 40,000 sq. ft. Logistics Centre
We’re incredibly proud to be celebrating a major milestone in our growth: the opening of our new 40,000 sq. ft. logistics centre in Lancashire. This investment marks the next step in our transformation from a small, surgery-based operation into one of the UK’s fastest-growing pet-care retailers.
Direct4Pet began within an established veterinary practice, where we quickly recognised how much pet owners needed convenient, affordable and professionally overseen pet-health products online. As that demand surged, it became clear that we needed a dedicated structure to support growth. In 2013, we formed Black Cat Medicines Limited—laying the foundation for what would eventually become Direct4Pet.
By 2020, we launched Direct4Pet.co.uk: a modern, easy-to-use online store built to deliver everything pet owners need, all in one trusted place.
Although Black Cat Medicines Limited remains our registered company name, Direct4Pet has grown to represent who we are today—our commitment to quality, convenience, and genuine veterinary care. What started as a vet-led online pharmacy is now a thriving multi-channel business, serving customers through our own website as well as major marketplaces across the UK.
As an RCVS-registered veterinary pharmacy and pet-care retailer, we offer a complete range of products—including prescription medicines, food, supplements, accessories and everyday essentials—each overseen by qualified veterinary professionals.
We’re surrounded by animals in both our personal and professional lives: family pets, horses, small furries, and rescue animals. They’re a daily reminder of why we do this work. That lived experience shapes everything—from the products we choose to stock to the advice we provide our customers. We understand pets and the people who love them on a personal level.
Our growth has also meant building the right infrastructure. In January 2025, we moved into our new logistics warehouse, equipped with advanced conveyor picking and belt-packing systems. This allows our team to process and dispatch thousands of orders every day with accuracy and speed.
Every product we send out is handled by trained staff working under veterinary supervision. We are committed to maintaining the same quality standards in our warehouse that guide us in clinical settings.
Alongside our own website, we also sell through trusted marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, Tesco, OnBuy and B&Q, giving customers the flexibility to shop wherever they prefer.
We’ve also developed advanced fulfilment capabilities that support partner brands and manufacturers. Thanks to a bespoke integration with Storefeeder—our Warehouse Management System—we offer a full 3PL service. Partners can connect their websites directly to our warehouse, allowing us to pick, pack and dispatch their orders seamlessly. Because we already carry their products, we can fulfil orders quickly, cost-effectively, and with a consistently high level of service.
Our customers aren’t limited to household pet owners. We also support breeders, shelters, charities, and pet-insurance companies who rely on us for authenticity, reliability, and veterinary oversight. Every product we offer is sourced from trusted UK suppliers and tested for quality.
Our team includes veterinary surgeons, SQPs, Buyers, Merchandisers, Product Managers and Customer Service specialists. Our Customer Service team plays a vital role in listening to our customers, gathering insights, and helping us identify trends, gaps, and emerging needs. Their feedback directly influences our buying decisions, new product launches, and improvements across our range.
We also work closely with industry experts, manufacturers, and animal nutritionists to ensure that every product we offer meets the highest standards of safety, health, and wellbeing.
Since rebranding the website to Direct4Pet in 2020, we’ve served hundreds of thousands of customers across the UK. Our customer base continues to grow quickly as more pet owners discover the convenience, trust, and breadth of products we provide as a veterinary-led online store.
Looking ahead, our goals are ambitious. We plan to expand our product range, launch exclusive new brands, push cut-off times for next-day delivery, and explore future international shipping. We’re investing in new technology, improving our website, adding educational pet-health resources, and building tools to make ordering and delivery even easier. And yes—we may even start sharing more fun and helpful content on TikTok to connect with our community in new ways!
Ultimately, our long-term mission is simple: to become the UK’s most trusted online veterinary pharmacy and pet store—bringing professional care, great value, and genuine convenience together in one place.
We are very lucky that the following media outlets published this article for us.
Pet Trade Extra
https://pettradextra.newsweaver.com/Newsletter/19ueh2x0pyq151tgroxbwg
The Business Desk
https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2163754-pet-products-retailer-expands-fulfilment-hub-to-boost-next-day-delivery-offer
Pet Industry Federation - PIF
https://petfederation.co.uk/direct4pet-invests-in-40000-sq-ft-logistics-centre-and-expands-fulfilment-services/
Pet Gazette
https://www.petgazette.biz/226810-direct4pet-expands-lancashire-fulfilment-hub/