New Zealand pet treat company, Gourmate Pet Treat, is now a Certified B corporation, becoming Aotearoa’s first pet business to receive the accreditation for responsible and ethical business.
The global certification was awarded after Gourmate Pet Treat completed a rigorous process that considers social and environmental impact, accountability and transparency.
For friends and co-founders Laura Wilkinson and Steph Mearns, B Corp certification is a recognition of the small business’s commitment to the welfare of people, the planet and our pets.
Since Gourmate’s launch in June 2020, the business has focused on making natural dog treats from locally and fairly sourced ingredients to the highest standard possible–human food grade standard.
Laura says “As pet parents ourselves we want to feed our pets the kind of food we like to eat--natural, healthy and honest. Our treats are made from restaurant-grade meat and seafood that looks, smells and tastes like real food–because it is”.
While the co-founders still consider the business to be in its start-up phase, Gourmate Pet Treat products are now found throughout New Zealand and in boutique pet stores inNorth America, Singapore and Hong Kong, with plans to expand within 12 months.
The company donates 5% of annual profit to local animal welfare charities, and Laura and Steph are advocates for better standards within New Zealand’s companion animal industry.
To gain B Corp Certification a business must score at least 80 points out of 200 across a range of categories that identify high social and environmental performance.
The median score for companies that complete the assessment tool is 51. Gourmate Pet Treat Co.’s opening score is 88.9.
B Corps are expected to continue to improve their impact business model, and for Laura and Steph, the wide-ranging criteria provides a blueprint for refinement and growth.
Steph says “Gourmate has always been a values-driven business, and B Corp Certification shows that we really are walking the talk. And we know that the dogs of Aotearoa love a walk.”
Find out more at gourmate.co.nz.
