Our Story
It Started With a Simple Question
Why are dog treats so expensive… and what’s actually in them?
Like most dog owners, we found ourselves standing in pet store aisles, reading labels we didn’t fully understand. Preservatives, additives, vague ingredients—and yet somehow still paying premium prices.
We wanted something better for our dogs. Something simple. Something we could trust.
The Spark That Started It All
The idea came from our friend Moe.
At our local dog park, Moe would bring homemade dehydrated treats for the dogs. No branding, no marketing—just real food that dogs loved. It planted a seed.
But the real turning point came when our friend Vanessa tried our treats for her dog, who had ongoing digestive issues from store-bought options.
When the symptoms stopped, and she refused to go back to anything else, we knew we were onto something real.
Meet Our Why 🐶
We’re a small, family-run business built around our two dogs:
Apollo – our 3-year-old golden retriever. A ball of energy who lives for the dog park and his friends.
Penny – our 4-month-old golden retriever. A certified “land shark” with a soft spot for cuddles.
They’re more than pets, they’ve changed how we see life. Dogs remind you how short and precious life is.
That’s why everything we do is focused on keeping them as healthy and happy for as long as possible.
The Problem We Couldn’t Ignore
We tried everything.
Different brands. Different price points. Different “premium” options.
But the same issues kept coming up:
- Inconsistent quality
- Upset stomachs
- Overprocessed ingredients
- Brands that felt… faceless
There was no trust. No connection. No transparency.
From Experiment to Obsession
Our first batch? Beef liver.
And honestly, it wasn’t great.
Too thick. Too soft. Not quite right.
But we kept going. Adjusting thickness. Scoring techniques. Dehydration timing. Learning what worked, not just for shelf life, but for digestion and palatability.
Eventually, everything clicked:
- Our dogs loved it
- It didn’t make them sick
- It was cost-effective
- It was simple and clean
That’s when we realised, this wasn’t just a hobby anymore.
Built From the Ground Up
We started by sharing with friends. Then friends of friends. Then dog owners at the park.
Every conversation sounded the same:
“Treats are expensive.”
“My dog gets sick from them.”
“I don’t know what’s actually in them.”
So we took it to the markets.
We learned everything the hard way, temperature control, sourcing the right cuts, understanding what different dogs need, and how to connect with customers face-to-face.
What Makes Moe’s Meats Different
We keep it simple, because it should be.
- Single ingredient treats
- No additives. No preservatives
- Locally sourced, human-grade meat
- Transparent from start to finish
Dehydration allows us to:
- Preserve naturally without chemicals
- Create long shelf-life products
- Offer versatile treats (training, meal toppers, chews)
But more importantly, we treat every dog as an individual.
Not every treat suits every dog. We help owners choose based on:
- Age
- Dietary needs
- Purpose (training vs chewing vs enrichment)
Why “Moe’s Meats”?
Because this business wouldn’t exist without Moe.
He represents what we’re about:
- Kindness
- Community
- A genuine love for dogs and people
Moe didn’t just inspire the idea, he represents the bridge between dog owners who care, and dogs who deserve better.
Guided by what we have seen in healthcare
This isn’t a corporate brand. It's two people and their dogs.
Ken is a doctor, and Sam is a nurse. Working in healthcare, we look after people at all stages of life, some recovering, some managing chronic illness and some just simply trying to stay well and healthy. One thing is clear to us:
What you put into your body matters.
Good nutrition supports healing. Poor nutrition contributes to disease, complications and reduced quality of life.
Over time, this mindset has become second nature to us. And we started thinking, why should it be any different for dogs?
Our dogs rely on us completely. They don't choose what they eat, we do.
And yet, so many commercial treats are:
- Highly processed
- Filled with preservatives
- Made with unclear or low-quality ingredients
From a healthcare perspective, it didn’t sit right with us.
If we care about clean, simple, nourishing food for ourselves and our patients, why wouldn’t we apply the same standard to our dogs?
The Moments That Matter
Some of our favourite moments:
- Seeing repeat customers come back with their dogs, excited to see us
- Hearing how our treats have helped dogs with sensitive stomachs
- Apollo gaining 2kg during “product testing” (we learned quickly…)
- Apollo stealing a whole tongue off the prep table
- Stanley the Staffy screaming at our stall because he wanted more treats
These moments remind us why we started.
Where We’re Headed
Right now, we’re growing through:
- Local markets
- Our online store
Our goal is simple:
To build a sustainable business that continues to provide high-quality, trustworthy treats.
Our Promise
We make treats for your dogs the same way we make them for ours.
- No shortcuts
- No compromises
- No sacrificing quality for profit
Just honest, healthy treats made by people who genuinely love dogs.
From our family to yours, thank you for trusting us with your dogs. 🐾