As people have become more aware of the food they are putting into their bodies, this awareness has also changed what they are feeding their pets, says Kimberly Thom, co-founder of Otago Petfoods. The high-quality raw meat pet food business she runs with her husband Mathew has seen a steady increase each year since it began in 2012 and now employs over 30 staff.
“Raw feeding is more than just a trend—it’s a lifestyle choice that promotes overall health, vitality and longevity for pets,” says Kim. The seeds for the business came when Kim, a veterinary nurse by trade who ran a pet grooming business, started to note the large number of animals coming in with skin conditions.
The pair also loved game hunting, and with ready access to fresh meat plus an awareness that this was indeed the best nutrition for pets, they started to work on their product formulations. Initially testing them on their own pets, the good results they got spurred them to commercialise the venture.
Today, Otago Petfoods is located in Mosgiel and is a multi-faceted business. The meat is predominantly sourced locally in the Otago region via a free livestock removal service to farmers, lifestyle block owners etc and shooters they employ to source wild game. The Otago Petfoods raw food range caters to the diverse needs of dogs and cats, from life-stage-specific formulas to solutions for dietary sensitivities.
“We’re excited about the road ahead, driven by our passion for pets and our dedication to making a difference in their lives.”
Otago Petfoods has also developed a raw food product called Back to Nature sold in Foodstuffs supermarkets South Island-wide. It also offers a diet formulation service where Otago Petfoods will recommend products from its range or even design a specific formula suited to the individual pet’s needs.
“Food allergies can be troubling for many dogs, leading to discomfort, skin issues and a range of digestive problems. Our mission is to provide specialised pet food recipes that cater specifically to the needs of the dog, ensuring they receive the nutrition they need without the ingredients that cause them harm,” explains Kim.
The business also offers other types of food and products for a variety of pets including fish, reptiles, birds, small animals and farm animals. It encompasses a pet grooming business from its Mosgiel premises. Kim says that Otago Petfoods takes great pride in being a business operated on strong family values. Great care is taken of the team and it looks for opportunities to add value to the local community.
Products can be purchased off the company website, through the shop in Mosgiel and through Foodstuffs supermarkets in the South Island. The Thoms are in the process of looking to expand further in the South Island through the acquisition of a business in Christchurch. “As we look to the future, our goal is to continue innovating and exploring new ways to enhance pet health through nutrition,” says Kim.
“We’re excited about the road ahead, driven by our passion for pets and our dedication to making a difference in their lives. We love the fact that we can take unwanted stock and wild pests out of the environment and make something of value out of an otherwise wasted resource, and we love working with other local companies that share the same vision.”
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