The pet industry is growing rapidly, with millions of pet owners across Canada and North America seeking high-quality, fun, and functional products for their furry friends. But while the industry thrives, its environmental footprint continues to expand. Enter Pawty Animals, a Canadian pet toy company on a mission to change that.
Recently featured in Barrie Today, Pawty Animals is the first pet company in Canada to produce eco-friendly dog toys made from recycled materials. Founded by Kara Wardinger, the company combines her passion for sustainability, creativity, and love of pets to create a business that addresses one of the biggest challenges in the pet industry: the lack of environmentally friendly options for pet toys.
Read the full article on Barrie Today here.
Turning a Problem into an Opportunity
Each year, over 40,500 tons of dog toys—the equivalent of 630 million items—end up in landfills. Shocked by these numbers, Kara was inspired to provide a sustainable alternative. Through her brand, she combines eco-friendly practices with playful, Canadian-themed designs like Tim Pawtons and Toronto Woofjays, offering products that celebrate Canadian culture while promoting environmental responsibility.
“We wanted to create something pet owners could feel good about buying—not just for their dogs, but for the planet,” Kara explains.
How Pawty Animals is Different
Pawty Animals goes beyond just selling dog toys. It’s about creating a movement within the pet industry. Here’s how they’re making a difference:
- Eco-Friendly Materials: All toys are made from recycled plastic water bottles, a process that transforms waste into durable, high-quality dog toys.
- Sustainable Packaging: Their B2C packaging is biodegradable, and all shipping materials are recyclable, ensuring minimal waste from production to delivery.
- RePawpose Program: Pawty Animals’ innovative program encourages pet owners to donate old toys, which are cleaned, refurbished, and donated to rescue dogs across Canada. To date, the program has saved over 2,000 toys from landfills.
- Supporting Animal Rescues: Through their Rescues of the Month initiative and donations to local charities like the Alliston Humane Society, Pawty Animals supports rescue efforts and features hard-to-adopt pets looking for their forever homes.
Growing Fast, With Sustainability at the Core
In just two years, Pawty Animals has made remarkable strides, partnering with over 160 independent retailers, including PetSmart, and generating over $120,000 in 2024 alone. The demand for sustainable pet products is clear, but as Kara shares, meeting that demand has its challenges.
“We’re growing faster than we have the cash flow to support,” she says. “Big partners like PetSmart are placing orders every two weeks, and we need more resources to keep up with this exciting growth while maintaining our commitment to sustainability.”
Inspiring a Shift in the Pet Industry
Pawty Animals is not just about selling products—it’s about pioneering change. By proving that sustainable, high-quality pet toys are possible, Kara hopes to inspire other businesses, big and small, to adopt environmentally friendly practices.
“We’re paving the way for a greener future in the pet industry,” she explains. “It’s about doing better for the pets of today and the planet of tomorrow.”
What’s Next for Pawty Animals?
Kara’s vision is to expand Pawty Animals into even more retailers across Canada, including Pet Valu’s 850+ stores, by 2025. The company also plans to develop additional Canadian-themed designs and expand the RePawpose Program, continuing its commitment to a circular sustainable economy.
Join the Movement
Pawty Animals is a testament to how small businesses can make a big impact. With a focus on eco-friendly pet products, community involvement, and Canadian pride, this innovative company is setting a new standard for sustainability in the pet industry.
Explore their products and programs at pawtyanimals.ca and learn more about their journey on Barrie Today here. Together, let’s make pet care more sustainable—one toy at a time.
