26 | Pets thriving on all-natural products Luanne Vacy-Lyle: “We end up really competitively priced because we’re not having to deal through middlemen.” All Good Pet Food T T Karen Phelps “The vet eventually said we’re just going to have to keep him on steroids for the rest of his life. And I said, well, that’s not going to happen; I’m not doing that to my dog.” REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT When Luanne Vacy-Lyle started All Good Petfood from her home office in 2017 with her three-month-old child at her side, she had humble ambitions of serving Northland’s pet owners. Eight years later the business has grown so rapidly that it now ships her all-natural pet food products nationwide from a 300sqm store and warehouse in Kerikeri. “We grew way bigger, way faster than what I would have ever anticipated,” says Luanne. The company, formerly known as Northland Petfood, rebranded 18 months ago to better reflect its national reach. Despite the name change, the business remains firmly rooted in the Bay of Islands, operating from 12 Mill Lane in Kerikeri, where it has become one of the largest independent pet retailers north of Whangārei. Luanne says that what sets All Good Petfood apart in an increasingly crowded market is its focus on solving problems rather than simply treating symptoms. The company’s philosophy stems from Luanne’s personal experience 15 years ago with a Jack Russell puppy severely allergic to grass. “The vet kept putting him on steroids,” explains Luanne. “And steroids fixed the problem short-term but not long-term. “The vet eventually said we’re just going to have to keep him on steroids for the rest of his life. And I said, well, that’s not going to happen; I’m not doing that to my dog.” When the veterinarian presented her with an impossible choice — a happy dog that lives a shorter life or a miserable dog that lives longer — Luanne found her mission. “I said, I want neither of those, thank you. That was the turning point where I realised there’s a huge opportunity to fix the problem, not just medicate the problem.” This pet-centric approach has become the business’s primary point of difference. “People come to us at their wit’s end, and instead of just saying, oh, here’s the band-aid, we work it back and go, right, how do we work out what’s wrong with your dog,” says Luanne. “Is it a food allergy? Is it a contact allergy? Is it an environmental allergy? We’re the ambulance at the top of the hill, not the bottom.” The pet foods are made with natural ingredients, free from artificial additives and preservatives. The company has recently expanded its proprietary Natura range, which is manufactured in Auckland and shipped to Kerikeri for distribution nationwide. New additions include specialised formulas for dogs with pancreatitis, weight management options and a dental range for everyday dogs, complementing the existing Itch Buster, Grain Be Gone and Natura Maintenance, Puppy, Active and Joint ranges. The business maintains its competitive edge by keeping operations in-house and dealing directly with customers rather than through wholesalers. “It keeps the cost down and we can offer that personal approach,” says Luanne. “We end up really competitively priced because we’re not having to deal through middlemen.” All Good Petfood stocks food, raw, supplements and treats, products that are 99 per cent New Zealand-made, with only three items sourced from Australia to provide budget-friendly options. The company’s commitment to quality means it offers vet-standard products at 40 to 80 per cent lower costs than traditional veterinary suppliers. Brands stocked also include Addiction, Omega Plus, Stockman, Black Hawk, Primal, Ziwi Peak, OmegaFlex, MircoMed, PetBrew and Dyanvyte. The Kerikeri store also features a unique 24hour DIY dog wash with hot water and hot air — one of the only facilities within a hundred kilometre radius. Inside, customers find an extensive range including one of Northland’s largest selections of raw pet food, natural treats, supplements and health products. Luanne plans to keep expanding the range and continue to meet pets’ unique needs and continue to sell New Zealand-wide via allgoodpetfood.co.nz All natural Flea Deterrent and nutritional supplement. Flee Flea helps to deter fleas in cats and dogs, and contributes to the health and wellbeing of your pet. Sprinkle on food daily info@fleeflea.co.nz www.fleeflea.co.nz www.facebook.com/fleeflea MADE IN NEW ZEALAND
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