Meet Kara Pado | Pet Food Nutrition Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kara Pado and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kara, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
I think, for our brand specifically, how much we believe in our products and how much research and effort we put into developing our brand has really been the most important factor in the success of our company. We both spend hours and hours on end reading about the science behind nutrition and ways to incorporate natural foods into pets’ diets. Using this in feeding our own dog, Angela, has allowed us to show firsthand the benefits it can produce, not only in her physical health, but also her emotional health and day-to-day behavior. We have been able to use science and nutrition to be able to show our customers what better quality treats are capable of, bringing them to believe in our brand as much as we do.

What should our readers know about your business?
We are a handmade, natural pet treat company that focuses on improving pet nutrition and quality of life. We began this company after adopting our dog, Angela, who has canine diabetes as a result of her previous life. We began researching the pet food industry and became terrified learning about how little regulation goes into making food for our animal companions. We believe that our pets are a part of the family, and that means treating them as such with higher quality food, care, and ensuring all of their needs are being met. The more I would read about pet nutrition and using natural ingredients to feed your pet, the more I learned how it would benefit Angela, not just in treating her diabetes, but also in her daily living activities and behavior. I began making her own treats and seeing how much happier she would be throughout the day, sustaining higher energy levels for longer and being way more playful throughout the day. We then began giving treats to friends, who would report similar stories with their own pets. I became enthralled with learning about pet nutrition and keeping our animal companions safe and healthy, leading to the development of Angela’s Treat Stash. Just 13 months later, I’m so proud to now be a certified pet food nutrition specialist, with our brand being sold in 5 local retail locations, online, and in local craft shows and farmers markets. We love interacting with pet owners and seeing the sparkle in their eyes when they learn something new about caring for their pet, or the smile on their faces when they come back and talk about how happy our treats made their pet. We are also so fortunate to be able to use this company to support local rescues and allow them to continue saving more and more homeless and neglected pets, like our girl once was. Supporting these rescues and other noteworthy causes has been so important to us in developing this brand, and we’re so excited to be able to expand that outreach even more in the future.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would take them out to Kensington Metropark in Milford, MI to go feed the birds around the nature trail. Then we would come back to Rochester and walk downtown, visiting some of our favorite local shops: Detroit Tarot Company, Bizzy Buzz Artisan Market, and Kruse and Muer.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My partner, Domenic, has played a crucial role in propelling this business forward and being able to expand it to be able to help even more pets with a wider range of needs. Without his help and support, none of this would be possible.

Website: angelastreatstash.com

Instagram: @angelastreatstashllc

Facebook: Angela’s Treat Stash, LLC

Image Credits
Golden Fox Photography