Air-dried food and treat manufacturer The Innocent Hound is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month.
Originally inspired by their rescue lurcher Bongo, founders Chloe Heaton and husband Justin wanted to create a range of treats that mirrored the values they held when choosing food for themselves, so set out to create a brand using locally-sourced, quality ingredients, and British meat where animal welfare was a priority, starting with air-dried venison treats in 2013.
Manufacturing was not part of the company’s original plan, but when the first supplier closed just a few months after launching, the team decided to rent a small food production unit and make their own high meat content sausages with the help of their local butcher and an experienced pet nutritionist. As sales grew, the company moved to a bigger factory in 2017 in Thorp Arch, West Yorkshire, where it is based today and, following a further factory expansion, now employs a team of nearly 30 people.
Reflecting on the decade in business, Chloe Heaton said: “When we look back at the treat market 10 years ago, it was a very different scene – today consumers can find a far greater choice of good quality and healthy dog treats, something that didn’t exist when we first started. We’re proud to have played a key part in raising the standards.”
