AniPal collaborates with charity PETstock Assist: Limited edition recycled pet collars & leads

Q & A: Founder of AniPal & veterinarian Steph Stubbe, and PETstock Assist

How did the business idea come about?

Throughout my vet studies and early career at RSPCA, I was alarmed to see the number of wildlife patients suffering terrible injuries as a consequence of human pollution. These heartbreaking and preventable cases helped me realise that, today, working effectively with animals requires both proactive action, as well as reactive treatment in the vet clinic. This is why I created AniPal - to help transition our industry to more sustainable practices and allow our pets to be agents for positive environmental change. AniPal evolved from the idea and aim of supporting our wildlife through our environment, waterways and oceans.

As a veterinarian, what influence did this have on your idea/building the business?

Vets are altruistic folk driven by a love for animals and science. These forces also drive AniPal and its mission. Veterinary science involves careful observation, listening, asking the right questions and systemic-based thinking. I developed these skills during my university studies and have put them all in practice building AniPal.

How many people are involved in the business/part of the team? How did they come on board?

There are two of us in the AniPal team. Funnily enough my business partner, Sam, was one of the first people I discussed the AniPal l concept with. Sam has a lot of experience and knowledge in different materials, manufacturing and running early stage businesses. Sam helped AniPal from its inception, answering endless questions and providing guidance.

Why are you personally so passionate about the environment/animals?

Can you imagine a world without animals or nature? I certainly can’t and don’t want to. Through evolution nature has developed the most fascinating solutions to limitless problems. Animals are a part of this evolution and can teach us so much. I really believe animals and nature can share so many incredible lessons with humans, particularly about how to live sustainably.

How do you reduce your carbon footprint in everyday life?

In my daily everyday life I try to focus on:

1) Riding a bike or walking wherever possible. I love being outside, so it’s a pretty easy choice for me.

2) Eating more local and plant-based foods. I still enjoy local red meat, especially from my parents’ beef farm one or twice a week.

3) Invest and support in the growth of renewable energy - they are certainly our best path forward!

4) Reduce, reuse, and recycle everything you possibly can. This includes composting and trying not to purchase products in packaging you can’t recycle.

Do you have a favourite design? Black Cockatoo and Bilby designs?

Our pets are a powerful source of happiness and inspiration for us all. Numerous species of our native wildlife are threatened, and they need our help and that of our four-legged positive pets. This is why we are celebrating native wildlife on our collars and leashes.

I personally love all the designs and am really excited to help boost awareness for the plight faced by these unique species.

Designs: Bilby collar, Bilby lead, Black Cockatoo collar, Black Cockatoo lead 

How can this partnership with PETstock assist essential projects and animals in need?

We are really excited to be partnering with the PETstock Assist to celebrate and support our Australian threatened species. It’s fantastic to be working with an organisation who are as equally focused and determined to help make the world a better place. Not only is our partnership helping to transition our industry to sustainable alternatives and create a community of ecofriendly dogs, it is predicted that more than $150,000 will be raised for PETstock Assist through the sale of AniPal products.

These funds enable PETstock Assist to continue to help animals, pets and families in need, including their work with Zoos Victoria and endangered species; and importantly, it brings awareness of these issues to compassionate pet parents across Australia.

Why is it important for companies/brands to innovate and invest in modern technologies supporting the environment?

2020 has been a pivotal year in understanding the threats we face from climate change and environmental damage. Climate change and deforestation are closely associated with emerging and infectious zoonotic diseases. The public are increasingly aware of this and people are opting for ethical and environmentally friendly alternatives for all kinds of goods and services. For companies to remain relevant to their market, they need to be innovating in ways that enable them to reduce their impact on the environment and ideally give back socially and environmentally. For us to have any hope in reaching the Paris 2030 targets, innovation and investment in this space by business and industry is critical.

How can else can companies help the environment?

Outside of making everyday business operations and procurement more sustainable, companies can work towards becoming B Corporation Certified. This involves balancing purpose and profit and ensures that they are creating a positive impact throughout their whole supply chain. It helps validate, track and ensure businesses are acting as agents of positive change, not solely for profit.

Do you own a pet?

I sure do! Billy, who is an Australian Shepherd. I feel so lucky to have met him at the Lost Dogs Home eight years ago. He is now nine years of age, but still behaves like a puppy. Billy is my best mate and we are actually incredibly similar.

The AniPal plastic lifecycle & recycling process

1. Plastic is colected from your recycling bins and a small portion from the environment. It is cleaned, sorted and shredded.
2. The shredded plastic is then pelletised.
3. These pellets are spun into yarn.
4. The yarn is woven into AniPal products including collars and leads made from recycled plastics.
5. AniPal products can be recycled again!

Find out more about PETstock Assist HERE

Check out the gorgeous new AniPal website HERE

Read more about AniPal in the Guest Blog Post: AniPal - leading by example to inspire the veterinary & animal industries