For health-conscious consumers, scrutinizing food labels and understanding ingredients is essential. But have you ever considered what goes into pet food? This was the dilemma Katie McCarron faced when her 14-year-old poodle, Rosie, developed an aversion to her kibble.
During a vet consultation regarding Rosie’s diminished appetite, the prognosis was grim—the vet suggested Rosie might only have six months left. Determined to make those months enjoyable, McCarron investigated the causes of Rosie’s loss of appetite, and her findings regarding pet food were alarming.
“I was horrified to discover the contents of pet food,” McCarron remarked, referring to questionable ingredients like rendered meat products. “Nothing suitable for human consumption.”
Disturbed by what she uncovered, McCarron decided to change her pet’s diet. One evening in 2014, while preparing dinner for her family, she used the leftover ingredients to whip up a beef and rice meal for Rosie. This simple dish not only piqued Rosie’s appetite but also inspired McCarron to launch the Portland Pet Food Company, which specializes in organic, human-grade pet nutrition.
“I want to show people that there are better options available,” said McCarron, who saw Rosie thrive for three more years after committing to a natural, human-grade diet.
Clean food, cleaner planet
While the well-being of pets remains the primary focus, Portland Pet Food Company also emphasizes environmental sustainability. In 2016, McCarron updated her packaging process, shifting from frozen meals requiring dry ice and styrofoam for shipping to utilizing shelf-stable, microwavable pouches that can be recycled through a partnership with TerraCycle.
Additionally, McCarron employs upcycling practices, transforming materials typically considered waste into valuable products. The company repurposes spent grains from local breweries and eggshells from suppliers to supply natural calcium for their pet food.
A report from 2022 indicated that over 68,000 pounds of ingredients were saved through upcycling that year alone. McCarron believes this figure could have more than doubled by 2024.
Having gained clarity on her pets’ dietary contents, McCarron advises pet owners who haven’t yet explored their pet food options to reflect on this question: “If you can’t pronounce it and don’t know what it is, why would you feed it to your best friend?”
Wagster Treats
Wagster Treats proudly proclaims their vegan baked dog treats can be life-altering—not just for the furry consumers but for the low-income and homeless individuals behind the scenes baking those treats.
The journey for these bakers begins at the Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, a training initiative managed by Homeward Bound of Marin, a nonprofit committed to sheltering the homeless, developing housing solutions, and offering job training programs in Marin County, California.
The academy’s 12-week course, typically valued at $10,000, is provided at no cost to participants within the Homeward Bound framework, equipping them with culinary skills to enhance their employment opportunities and regain independence.
“Our mission is to assist individuals in achieving stability and self-sufficiency,” states Sallie Miller, director of social enterprise at Homeward Bound. “If you stepped into our Wagster Treats kitchen today, you’d witness a small but impactful dog treat bakery in action.”
Mission driven baking
Within the Wagster Treats kitchen, bakers blend straightforward ingredients such as peanut butter, molasses, apples, and oats to create healthy, human-grade dog treats shaped like bones. These treats are packaged in vibrant green bags and are available in stores like Whole Foods across Northern California, as well as being shipped nationwide.
Since its establishment in 2015, every profit from Wagster Treats has been reinvested into Homeward Bound of Marin to support ongoing job training opportunities. “Being part of such a mission-oriented enterprise is a remarkable experience,” Miller reflects.
As Homeward Bound of Marin marks its 50th anniversary this year, the milestone brings encouraging news for the current and future bakers at Wagster Treats: by 2025, they will operate out of a new, larger production facility.
This article was initially featured in the November-December 2024 issue of up7op magazine (US edition).
