There’s a big push for people to go green and reduce their carbon footprint, so its little surprise businesses are stepping up to provide more environmentally friendly products.
Wild Earth is one such business, a biotech start-up in the pet food industry, the company has brought to market protein dog food and snacks with a difference.
Barking Up the Right Tree
A UCLA study highlighted the fact that pets in the USA consumed enough meat to produce over 60 million tons of carbon monoxide every single year.
This shocking statistic prompted a small team of scientists to take action.
In 2017 the team, led by Ryan Bethencourt, and comprising of Abril Estrada, Dr Ron Shigeta and Kristin Wuhrman, launched Wild Earth.
The company pledged its dedication to produce nutritional, clean and sustainable pet food.
The protein dog food and snacks contain no unpleasant antibiotics, hormones, artificial preservatives/colors/flavors, fillers, animal ingredients or any other dubious components!
What your beloved doggy will get is a wholesome vegan dog food, boosted with vegetarian supplements.
There’s a healthy mix of omega fatty acids, prebiotics and enzymes – all great for canine digestion, joints, and skin.
Wild Earth are keen to educate consumers, they point out that dogs are omnivores and can thrive on plant-based food.
They argue that canines need protein, and that their nutritious meat-free food has that by the bucket-load! Typical ingredients include whole foods such as chickpeas, oats, and sweet potatoes.
Doggy Paddle in the Shark Tank
Ryan Bethencourt and his team felt sure they were onto a winner with Wild Earth, but convincing the sharks can prove tricky.
Ryan went in asking for $500,000 for a 5% stake in the business.
However, when the enthusiastic entrepreneur pitched the company and its concept in the Shark Tank (season 10, episode 16), he received a mixed reaction.
Some of the sharks questioned whether it was right to deny dogs meat – and they raised concerns that consumers might have the same worry.
However, tycoon Mark Cuban did not share this sentiment, he liked the company and the product, and offered to stump up the full $550,000 investment for 10% of the business.
This seemed to surprise and perturb the other sharks, but Mark and Ryan happily agreed the deal and went on to collaborate in a bid to grow the business.
Wild Earth Dog Food Financials and the Future
Things are still going well for Wild Earth. Mark Cuban remains involved with the company and the product line has grown.
There are different dog supplements available (in the form of peanut butter flavor chews), which seem to be a hit with owners and their pooches!
Wild Earth products are sold at Heads Up For Tails stores and are now available in India too.
The company are currently working on a cell-based food and seeking regulatory approval – if all goes well the new product should hit the shelves in 2022. Looks like tales are wagging for Wild Earth!
