Jen Kirby started Piggyback Treats Company to make dog and cat treats from unused, human-grade foods that would otherwise go to waste. She got the idea for her pet industry business about 8 years ago when she saw barrels full of salmon skins at a fish cleaning shop and found out that they just throw them away. She knew there had to be a better solution! Now she rescues salmon skins, chicken feet, pumpkins, apple pulp, liver and so much more to make 50 varieties of sustainable dog treats.
We talk about what it takes to create a successful and sustainable pet business. And we also obsess over our chocolate labs for a while – her dog Candy (what a great chocolate lab girl name!) sounds like a love match for Burt!
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Turning Unused Food into Healthy Dog Treats
Jen Kirby has been working as a professional chef for over 16 years and as a professional dog-spoiler for basically her entire life. She started Piggyback Treats Company to “piggyback” with tiny, family-run farms and small businesses and rescue usable, human-grade foods and make them into unique and healthy treats for dogs and cats!
She believes that our pets deserve not only to be spoiled but that we can do so while being conscious of our effect on the environment. Jen hopes to encourage as many people as possible to think sustainably (while spoiling their pets, of course)!
Topics Discussed in this Episode:
- What inspired Jennifer to reuse food for dogs
- Where Jennifer finds her ingredients
- The importance of forming business relationships
- Jennifer’s favorite creative recipes
- How Jennifer incorporates her dogs in her business
- Advice for business owners that are just starting out
Where to Find Jennifer:
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Spend Less Time Working, and More Time with Your Dog
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Tori,
It was a pleasure to be a guest on your podcast! Thank you so much for having me!
Keep up the amazing work!! Thank you for taking the time to share your story!