[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]A Clontarf native who started her budding dog treat business in her home kitchen is expanding onto bigger and better things this festive season.
Dog owner Pauline Fitzgerald set up her thriving business, Woof Stuff, in November 2016, after realising the adoration her pet pup Zuomo had for the scent of her home baking.
She said: “I made my first prototype dog treat on December 14, 2014. I still have the first one in a metal box!
“My husband, Marc, noticed our dog was always close to the oven when I was taking out our treats or cakes.
“He suggested I start a dog treat company, so I did. I thank Zuomo every day for inspiring me and tell Zuomo he is a gentleman – he is nine years old now.
“Once I was happy with the first flavour, I contacted the Department of Agriculture to get a licence to manufacture the treats.
“After a number of feed tests were completed in Irish laboratories, I designed the packaging and marketing materials.
Pauline Fitzgerald
“I started the business with a bag of porridge and a couple of carrots! I literally came up with a recipe myself and trialled them in our home kitchen. Zuomo was the primary taster,” she said.
Pauline then went on to be accepted on the Food Academy Programme in May 2015, a scheme for new food producers with innovative ideas. She was the first producer on the course creating snacks for dogs.
“When my colleagues and I were presenting our ideas at the end of the programme to Musgraves and SuperValu management, they were highly amused with my presentation and asked me if I would sample the snacks on their behalf.
“I readily agreed – as long as they didn’t expect me to bark for them too!”
Now, she’s selling her treats at Arnotts’ Wonderland this Christmas season, something that Pauline says is one of her career highlights so far.
She said: “My highlights have to be winning six awards in the past two years and being stocked in Arnotts, and continuing to be supported by independent store owners who believe in me and place their trust in my brand.
“Arnotts approached me and invited me to a buyer meeting to display the collection of treats, pet fashion and home ware.
“I was thrilled to receive an order for their pet section in the Wonderland gifting department and am excited and honoured to be stocked in such a prestigious Irish store.”
Woof Stuff is available in Wonderland at Arnotts this Christmas, which located on the second level of the store.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
