Innovative Pet Treats: Portland Pet Food and Wagster

“If you’re unsure of its pronunciation or its meaning, why would you serve it to your best friend?”

For any health-savvy consumer, food labels, ingredients, and nutritional recommendations are crucial aspects of their diet. But what about the food we provide for our furry companions? This was the dilemma encountered by Katie McCarron when her 14-year-old poodle, Rosie, began turning her nose up at kibble.

During a vet visit coinciding with Rosie’s reduced appetite, the prognosis stunned McCarron: her beloved poodle was given just six more months to live. Determined to ensure Rosie’s final time was spent well, McCarron delved deeper into the reasons behind her pet’s disinterest in food. The revelations regarding pet food ingredients left her shaken.

“I was horrified to discover what goes into pet food,” McCarron expressed, particularly highlighting meat by-products. “It’s definitely not suitable for human consumption.”

Unsatisfied with these findings, McCarron opted for a different feeding strategy. One evening in 2014, while preparing dinner for her family, she repurposed the leftover ingredients into a meal of beef and rice for Rosie, which rekindled her appetite. This moment inspired McCarron to establish Portland Pet Food Company, a brand specializing in organic, human-grade pet food.

“I aim to educate pet owners about the alternatives available,” said McCarron, reflecting on how Rosie thrived for an additional three years after transitioning to a diet solely composed of natural, human-grade food.

Sustainable Eating, Healthier Planet

While enhancing the well-being of pets remains a core mission, Portland Pet Food Company is also dedicated to promoting environmental stewardship. In 2016, McCarron initiated a change in packaging, moving from frozen meals that necessitated dry ice and Styrofoam shipping to shelf-stable, microwavable pouches, which can be recycled through a collaboration with TerraCycle.

Their sustainability initiatives extend to upcycling, creatively transforming what would otherwise be waste into valuable products. By using spent grain sourced from local breweries and eggshells from suppliers, Portland Pet Food Company enriches its food with a natural calcium source.

According to a 2022 company report, upcycling efforts yielded over 68,000 pounds of ingredients that year, and McCarron anticipates that this figure has effectively doubled in 2024.

Now, McCarron is confident about the pet food her animals consume. However, for those pet lovers still on the fence, her message is clear: “If you can’t pronounce it and have no idea what it is, why would you give it to your best friend?”

Wagster Treats

“Participating in such a purpose-driven enterprise feels like an incredible opportunity.”

Wagster Treats doesn’t just create vegan baked goodies for dogs; they also play an integral role in improving the lives of low-income and homeless individuals—the bakers behind these products.

Each participant on the road to Wagster Treats starts their training at Fresh Starts Culinary Academy, a program run by Homeward Bound of Marin, a nonprofit that operates shelters, develops housing solutions, and offers job training in Marin County, California.

The 12-week training, valued at $10,000 yet offered free to individuals within the Homeward Bound system, teaches critical culinary skills to enhance employability and restore their independence.

“Our mission is to assist individuals in achieving stability and self-sufficiency,” said Sallie Miller, the social enterprise director at Homeward Bound. “If you were to visit our Wagster Treats kitchen right now, you would see a small but formidable dog treat production line.”

Purposeful Baking

In that kitchen, the Wagster Treats team combines wholesome ingredients such as peanut butter, molasses, apples, and oats to craft human-grade dog treats formed into charming bone shapes. These treats are packaged in eye-catching green bags and distributed in stores like Whole Foods across Northern California, as well as shipped nationwide.

Since its establishment in 2015, every cent of profit made by Wagster Treats has been reinvested into Homeward Bound of Marin to support future job training programs. “Being part of such a mission-driven organization is truly a remarkable experience,” remarks Miller.

As Homeward Bound of Marin marks its 50th anniversary this year, they also announce exciting news for current and future bakers at Wagster Treats: by 2025, they will transition to a new, larger production facility.

This article was originally published in the November-December 2024 issue of Daitrl magazine (US edition).