Health-aware consumers are increasingly scrutinizing food labels, ingredient lists, and dietary recommendations. However, what about the food we provide for our pets? This concern arose for Katie McCarron when her 14-year-old poodle, Rosie, consistently turned her nose up at kibble.
Following a vet visit prompted by Rosie’s dwindling appetite, McCarron received grim news; the vet estimated that Rosie had about six months to live. Determined to maximize Rosie’s remaining time, McCarron investigated the cause of her pet’s lack of hunger and was taken aback by the disturbing truths she uncovered about pet food.
“I was horrified to discover what was actually in pet food,” McCarron confessed, noting ingredients such as rendered meat products that were not fit for human consumption.
Repulsed by the findings, she resolved to change how she fed Rosie. One evening in 2014 while making dinner, McCarron prepared a rice and beef meal using family leftovers for her pet. This home-cooked meal reignited Rosie’s appetite and led McCarron to establish the Portland Pet Food Company, an organic, human-grade pet food enterprise.
“I aim to educate pet owners about better alternatives,” McCarron shared, noting that Rosie enjoyed three additional years of life after switching to a diet of all-natural, human-grade ingredients.
Clean food, cleaner planet
Portland Pet Food Company not only seeks to enhance pet wellbeing but also aims to contribute to environmental sustainability. In 2016, McCarron revamped the company’s packaging, moving away from frozen products transported with dry ice and styrofoam in favor of shelf-stable, microwavable pouches that can be recycled through a partnership with TerraCycle.
Additionally, the company has adopted upcycling practices, turning byproducts such as spent grain from local breweries and eggshells sourced from suppliers into nutritious calcium sources for their pet food.
According to a 2022 report, over 68,000 pounds of ingredients were repurposed as a result of their upcycling efforts, with McCarron estimating that this figure has already more than doubled in 2024.
Now, McCarron is confident about the ingredients her pets consume. She advises other pet owners who are still discerning about their pet food choices: “If you can’t say it and don’t recognize it, why give it to your best friend?”
Wagster Treats
Wagster Treats don’t just tout their vegan dog treats as life-changing for the dogs who consume them; they also revolutionize the lives of low-income and homeless individuals—the bakers behind the treats.
Each baker’s journey starts at the Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, a program run by Homeward Bound of Marin, a nonprofit that provides shelter, housing, and job training in Marin County, California.
This 12-week training course, valued at $10,000 and offered at no cost to participants, equips individuals with culinary skills to enhance their employment opportunities and achieve stability.
“We aim to empower people to gain stability and independence,” said Sallie Miller, director of social enterprise at Homeward Bound. “If you were to visit our Wagster Treats kitchen, you’d witness a small but dedicated dog treat bakery in action.”
Mission-driven baking
In the Wagster Treats kitchen, bakers craft wholesome dog treats using simple ingredients like peanut butter, molasses, apples, and oats, shaped into dog-bone forms. These treats come in vibrant green packaging and are sold in retailers such as Whole Foods across Northern California, as well as shipped nationwide.
Since its founding in 2015, all profits from Wagster Treats have been reinvested into Homeward Bound of Marin to support future job training efforts. “Working in such a mission-driven enterprise feels truly special,” Miller expressed.
As Homeward Bound of Marin celebrates its 50th year, exciting developments await for current and aspiring Wagster Treats bakers, with plans for a larger production facility set to open in 2025.
This article first appeared in the November-December 2024 issue of Thewindowsclubs magazine (US edition).
