“I got an email from a customer the other day who lives in Comox,” says BJ Lawless, owner of Lawless Pet Treats at Squamish Farmers’ Market. “They were on vacation here and picked up a bag of treats from me to take home to their dog. They put their bags in the living room and went to the kitchen… when they got back their Springer Spaniel had his head in their luggage, had found my bag of treats, pulled it out and was helping himself.”
So irresistible are Lawless’ treats that pet owners shopping at the market often find themselves dragged to her stand by their dogs.
“The dogs can smell it from a couple of stands away. I’ll watch the dog and their nose will go to the air and they’ll pull.”
The scent they’re heading towards are Lawless’ handmade pet jerky treats, which use non-medicated, 100 per cent Canadian meat.
“I’m very picky about where my product is coming from,” she says.
Lawless has worked in the pet industry for over ten years and has extensive experience in pet nutrition. She’s also helped her own two dogs with their health concerns.
“One has allergies and one has digestive issues,” she explains. “I had to work with their diets to control their health issues instead of putting them on medication. All the treats out there… had words that I couldn’t even pronounce or understand.”
In contrast, Lawless’ pet jerky contains only three ingredients – 50 per cent muscle meat, 25 per cent liver and 25 per cent heart. She explains, the dehydrated liver treats you see on the supermarket shelves are far too rich for pets, and frequently cause stomach upsets. Instead, the balance of meat she uses is easier to digest.
“Dogs are opportunist carnivores. There are so many foods out there that they will eat… but it doesn’t mean they’re good for them. I’m providing something that’s meant for their body to digest. So it’s a lot easier on their system and they get the nutritional benefits of it too. They also love it!”
Lawless’ treats are also great for pets with sensitive tummies or for those with special conditions such as allergies, weight control or heart conditions.
“It’s suitable for every dog and all ages. Even seniors.”
Her most popular treats are the bison jerky, and the bison heart and blueberry jerky.
“People love the blueberry because of the antioxidants.”
Cats also like her treats, although, she explains, they can be a little choosy at times. Her fish treats made with 100 per cent sole are, however, very popular. So much so, that she has to hide them from her roommate’s cat, who’s ripped open bags in the past and eaten everything inside.
In under a year, Lawless has built up quite a following of regulars, including a Husky-cross that heads directly to her stand and sits patiently wagging his tail, waiting for a treat. Another owner is unable to buy his dog any other types of treats now that he’s tried Lawless’ pet jerky.
Lawless will be selling her pet treats throughout the Winter Farmers’ Market at its new location at Squamish Elementary School, running every two weeks starting November 8. Her cat treats are also available at In The Raw, a North Vancouver store, and she hopes to have her jerky treats on shop shelves soon.
For more information email [email protected].
