Jennifer Kirby is the founder of Piggyback Treats Co., a business that she credits her dogs for helping her name, writes Dan Sullivan for Lancaster Farming.
When the idea of upcycling human food waste into pet treats was just a thought, her sister’s rescue rat terrier/Chihuahua mix leapt off the couch and landed on Kirby’s labrador’s back.
From there, the company was born.
“We were young millennial dog moms, and we had not much else to put our time into than our dogs … and obviously our jobs,” said Kirby, who was working as a private chef at the time.
Piggyback Treats Co. air dries small batches of human-grade ingredients at low temperatures and utilizes compostable and marine-degradable packaging derived from wood pulp.
Growing up and working on a farm helped Kirby appreciate animals and taught her lessons she has carried into her business endeavors.
“I learned from a very early age how hard it is to take care of these animals that nourish our bodies,” Kirby said. “It became really important to me … that I bring honor to the animals that I prepare and then serve to people.”
Since the launch, the company has grown tremendously and Kirby hopes to work with restaurants and small family farms to continue that growth.
Read more about Piggyback Treats Co. in Lancaster Farming.
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