Happy Howl, a Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.-based pet food company specializing in gently cooked, shelf-stable meals for dogs, has secured strategic investment to accelerate its next phase of growth. The funding round includes participation from Mars Companion Fund, Michelson Found Animals, Darco Capital, Visible Ventures, and other private investors.
“This raise is a meaningful milestone for our team and a strong validation of our mission,” said Colin Buckley, founder and CEO of Happy Howl. “We’ve built a brand that dog parents trust, delivering real, gently cooked food with human-grade ingredients — no preservatives, no fillers — just the highest quality meals in a shelf-stable, convenient format. These funds will allow us to scale that promise even further.”
The company plans to use the investment to expand its direct-to-consumer business, strengthen retail partnerships nationwide, develop new products and formats, and invest in research and development. According to the company, new offerings may include functional meal add-ons and further innovations in clean-label dog food.
“Our growth is driven not only by our laser-focused team and clear mission, but by an incredibly engaged community of dog parents who are dedicated to improving their dogs’ lives while sharing their stories with us through every step of their journey,” said Josh Pierce, chief growth officer at Happy Howl. “This raise enables us to accelerate that momentum and scale a brand that’s truly resonating.”
The company’s investor group brings a mix of pet care expertise, operational support, and consumer brand experience. Mars Companion Fund contributes global pet wellness insight, while Michelson Found Animals offers guidance in animal welfare and innovation. Darco Capital, led by entrepreneur David Adelman, and Visible Ventures bring experience in consumer growth and scaling mission-driven companies.
Happy Howl was founded with the goal of providing high-quality, shelf-stable meals for dogs made with human-grade ingredients and no preservatives or refrigeration. The brand sells primarily through direct-to-consumer channels but is expanding into retail distribution.
Adapted from a press release.
