In 2001, Martine Lacombe searched Google for something to help with her Dalmatian Lola抯 serious skin allergies. Other medications had little to no effect on the dog抯 condition. Lacombe and husband, Marc Michels, didn抰 know what to do.
Much like many in her neighborhood of Aventura, Fla., Lacombe kept her family kosher, which conforms to Kashrut and Jewish laws. One of the main elements of staying kosher is the mixture of meat and dairy products, as well as the utensils used to prepare the food. She decided to ditch the processed food in Lola抯 diet in favor of home-cooked specialty meals.
"This made all the difference," said Lacombe. "Neighbors couldn抰 believe the results and wanted to know how I did it."
Lacombe saw an untapped market for kosher pet food and products and later formed KosherPets, based in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. After more than six years, the company has grown significantly through both word of mouth and trade show presentations. The company sells its products online and in stores throughout the country. Lacombe says she sees a surge in business in many non-Jewish communities including Tampa, Fla.
"The first three years we put all our revenue and money into building the company," said Lacombe. "It took three years to really make a profit."
Now major chains such as PETCO carry KosherPets, helping the company reach six figure profits in 2007.
"My hope is to have an aisle dedicated to kosher products and food at every major pet store," said Lacombe.
Kosher pet food is mentioned in Ellis Weiner and co-author Barbara Davilman抯 satirical book How to Raise a Jewish Dog. The book is centered on a fictional group of rabbis from the Rabbis of the Boca Raton Theological Seminary and their techniques for raising a Jewish dog.
"They teach you how to raise your dog the way they were raised as Jewish children: with passive-aggressiveness, sarcasm, withholding, narcissism, manipulation, unnecessary anxiety and catastrophizing," said Weiner, who also wrote a number of other books including Yiddish with Dick and Jane and Santa Lives! Five Conclusive Arguments for the Existence of Santa Claus.
"The result is a bond like no other with the dog, which is, in effect, co-dependency. If properly raised, the Jewish dog doesn't need a leash or invisible fencing, since it's too terrified of the world to ever leave your side," Weiner said.
Aside from religion, a bulk of KosherPets?clientele comes from owners looking for a healthy alternative for their beloved Fido or feline. KosherPets features only natural ingredients filled with whole grains, vitamins, minerals and diet rich high-quality meat protein to combat pet obesity. The company produces everything from freeze-dried beef patties to chopped liver dinners. Holiday dog treats are also available for Hanukkah as well as a host of popular food-related products for Passover.
The Chicago Rabbinical Council, a kosher certification agency comprised of rabbis, overseas production of the products to make sure Jewish dietary law is being followed.
"We are endorsed by a number of veterinarians," said Lacombe. "We have all the natural ingredients that are good for all types of pets, only without the price tag."
One of the main reasons why the business has been so successful can be attributed to owner抯 apprehension of buying pet food in general. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recently revealed a long list of pet food recalls from a number of major vendors including ALPO, as well as supermarket brands Winn-Dixie and Publix.
In March, more than 95 pet owners in Wisconsin were involved in a class-action lawsuit against Menu Foods Inc. One of the pet owners claimed she spent $3,000 on vet bills for a sick cat who was eating Iams Select Bites. The lawsuit is one of several filed in 2007 alone.
"People want to know where their pet food comes from," said Lacombe. "Lola passed away at age 12, and now we only have a fish. This is because my six-year-old had an emotional connection to Lola, and she really couldn抰 be replaced."
While the head of KosherPets may only have a goldfish, she always has pets on the mind with her thriving business. Despite all the success, Lacombe and her husband are in the process of possibly selling the company to a group of New Jersey investors. She says she wants to step away from the home-grown business to focus on her family. However, KosherPets will continue to expand with planned shampoo and vitamin lines in 2008.
For a list of products and stores selling KosherPets visit www.kosherpets.com.
For a complete list of pet product recalls visit the Food and Drug Administration online. How to Raise a Jewish Dog is available in bookstores now.
