Keri Gray, owner of Shades of Gray First Nations pet treats, as featured on CBC

First Nations business puts traditional meat on the menu for pets

When CBC News featured our First Nations pet treats, the story was about something simple: putting traditional meat back on the menu, this time for our pets. I was so proud to see it. You can read the full CBC article on their website. Here's the story in my own words.

How our First Nations pet treats began

I'm a member of the Algonquins of Pikwakanagan. Brian and I started by raising rabbits and selling the federally inspected meat to local restaurants and grocery stores. Along the way, I started making treats for our own dogs from the parts that would otherwise go to waste.

Family and friends started asking for them. Then their friends did. I could see there was a gap in the market for clean, single-ingredient treats, and no Indigenous brand was filling it. In January 2019, Shades of Gray Indigenous Pet Treats officially began.

For a long time we grew purely by word of mouth. People tried the treats, their pets loved them, and they told someone else. That's still the best compliment we get.

Why traditional meat?

The meats we use are the ones our communities have relied on for generations. They're lean, low in fat and full of energy, which is exactly what our pets need:

  • Rabbit, raised on our own farm in Ontario without antibiotics
  • Beaver, ethically harvested in Ontario by a licensed trapper
  • Bison, elk and venison, farmed in Canada and federally inspected

Every treat is one ingredient, with no grain, gluten, fillers or preservatives. You can learn what each protein offers on our healthy treats and proteins page.

Made on Alderville First Nation

Every one of our First Nations pet treats is made in small batches at our facility on Alderville First Nation, using federally inspected meat. Using the whole animal and wasting nothing comes straight from the teachings I grew up with. You can read more on our heritage page.

A ferret enjoying Shades of Gray First Nations pet treats

Our treats are loved by all kinds of animals, including this ferret.

Where to find our treats

You'll find us in independent pet stores and right here online. Our Rabbit Strips are a longtime customer favourite and a great place to start. Or browse all our First Nations pet treats for dogs and cats.

Miigwech to CBC News for sharing our story.

Keri

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