Black-Owned Pet Businesses for Your Furry Friends
Oct 20, 2023 10:00AM ● By Boitumelo Masihleho
Buying your dog or cat quality food, a cozy place to sleep, and a cute collar or leash gives you the chance to spoil a pet you love. Black brand founders are underrepresented in the pet care industry. It may appear that Black-owned pet businesses are rare, but it all comes down to visibility. They’re out there, and they’re doing great things. From food to accessories, these pet supply brands are perfect for spoiling your pet while celebrating diversity in the industry. The best part? You can feel good knowing your purchase supports Black small business owners and entrepreneurs while you shop!
1. Enjoy-a-Bowl
Veterinarian Joe J. Owen started Enjoy-a-Bowl with one major goal in mind—helping stop euthanasia by keeping pets healthy. These unique bowls are designed to help picky eaters or pets who don't have much of an appetite by enticing them with the aroma of their favorite foods hidden in the secret lower compartment. Their goal is to bridge the gap in veterinary medicine and over-the-counter solutions to the pet industry.
2. Brixxy & Co.
Alissa Abba is an educator specializing in working with students on the autism spectrum, as well as the owner and operator of Brixxy & Co., a handmade pet bandana company, located in Philadelphia. After suffering two devastating losses, her mother and father, Alissa found new happiness and comfort in becoming a dog mom to mini poodle Brixxy Bordeaux. Blending pop icon prints from Dr. Fauci to The Golden Girls on one side, with everything from florals to shooting stars on the other, frequently selling out and restocking prints. Unlike other bandana companies, Brixxy & Co. bandanas are always reversible, handmade, and made to order, giving each customer the unique opportunity to create their own, one-of-a-kind design.
3. Fresh Pawz
Fresh Pawz revitalizes the market of dog accessories by introducing streetwear influence to an otherwise mundane product selection. They are a different breed of accessories bridging the gap between the culture and your dog. From leashes, harnesses, raincoats, and even The Office-themed sweaters. Fresh Pawz partners with the NBA and MLB so you and your pup can support your team. Fresh Pawz will donate 5% of every purchase, enabling us to help transform strays into your best friends.
4. House Dogge
Drawing from her background as a designer for brands like Nike and Levi’s, Angela Medlin began designing toys for her Olde English Bulldogge, Wubbi, in 2017. House Dogge is a sustainable lifestyle brand that offers eco-conscious dog toys, collars, and hoodies made from natural materials such as merino wool, vegetable leather, and cotton. House Dogge supports Oregon dog rescue the NW Dog Project, and in her free time, Medlin pays it forward through her project Faas Design Collab, which provides creative and professional development to underrepresented creatives desiring to enter the product creation industry.
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5. Ava’s Pet Place
For pets looking to eat as good as people do, get them Ava’s Pet Palace, a small-batch treat company focused both on snackable and social good. The treats are limited ingredients with no wheat, corn, soy, fillers, or synthetics; U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)-certified organic; and made in the USA. Launched by 14-year-old pet owner, Ava Dorsey, Ava’s Pet Place provides a healthy alternative to big-brand boxed treats. The teenager drew up her first business plan when she was six, inspired by a desire to provide tasty treats with organic and natural ingredients for pets. Ava was honored to be named the first participant in the BSM Partners Young Entrepreneur Mentorship program in 2022.
6. Sir Dogwood
Hoping to shift the pet industry in a more modern, inclusive direction, Chaz Olajide launched Sir Dogwood soon after developing an obsession with her new, feisty Miniature Schnauzer in 2016. Sir Dogwood offers a chic selection of dog wear, toys, and accessories thoughtfully curated by the most unique designers from around the world. They also partner directly with emerging makers to create limited-edition pieces available exclusively from Sir Dogwood. Sir Dogwood supports CARE (Companions and Animals for Reform and Equity). CARE’s focus is on transforming animal rescue organizations through workforce development, evidence-based tools, and inspiring narratives.
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7. MaryMac's Doggie Retreat
MaryMac's Doggie Retreat, Louisiana's only Black-owned doggie daycare and spa boutique—started amid the COVID-19 pandemic, no less—now has over 700 happy customers. Owner and founder Courtney McWilliams’ purpose is to provide dog owners with an alternative option for their dogs to receive the proper care that caters to their dog’s physical and emotional health.to provide dog owners with an alternative option for their dogs to receive the best care while having fun. Realizing that each dog is different, MaryMac’s Doggie Retreat does not utilize the one-size-fits-all approach. They focus on reducing anxiety and depression through specialized enrichment activities that include keeping the dogs in smaller group settings, structured playtime with best friends, individualized attention, and tailored activities designed to stimulate the mind while increasing confidence and self-control.
8. Trill Paws
Trill Paws is an LA-based, woman-owned small business whipping up the coolest doggie accessories. Trill Paws creates pet tags and accessories that are inspired by pop-culture icons and sayings - anything from emoji designs to popular sayings, fun memes, and more. For the dog parent who wants to announce their role from head to toe, Trill Paws also carries dad caps, socks, and sweatshirts. “A couple of years ago I dreamt up a concept for a pet accessories company that would appeal to fun and trendy pet owners who love dogs and design. So many pet ID tags on the market are dull and can be a bit boring, so we design tags and accessories that are unique, refreshingly fun, and on-trend,” said founder Rachel Jones.
9. Gerrard Larriett
Fragrance expert and pet lover Gerrard Larriett first experienced the trials and tribulations of dog bathing when his Golden Retriever mix Dexter showed his disdain for bath time. After an exhaustive search for spa-quality grooming products, he decided to use his 10+ years of experience in the cosmetics industry to create his line of spa-inspired pet products. Now carried by Amazon and Chewy, Gerrard Larriett’s grooming products can also help tackle your pet’s dry skin and stinky breath. With an MBA from NYU and a decade in the cosmetics industry, Larriett brings his expertise and combines it with his passion for dogs to have a calm experience.
10. Bark & Tumble
U.K.-based Bark & Tumble makes limited-edition knitwear for dogs in poppy prints and from cozy materials like boucle jersey and organic cotton. The pet care collection is produced with high-quality 100% natural ingredients. Founder Leah Bertram has always been drawn to the world of fashion and design, taking her creative influences from art, music, and culture. With a degree in fashion design, Leah has worked with high-street brands and luxury designers. Eventually, Leah decided that she wanted her very own fur-baby, and fell in love with an adorable French Bulldog called Fendi. “We know how special our dogs are to the family unit and we aim to build an independent pet brand, a community family of customers who can connect through our love of pets,” says the brand.
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Boitumelo Masihleho is a South African digital content creator. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from Rhodes University in Journalism and Media Studies and Politics and International Studies.
She's an experienced multimedia journalist who is committed to writing balanced, informative and interesting stories on a number of topics. Boitumelo has her own YouTube channel where she shares her love for affordable beauty and lifestyle content.
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