Creating a Paw-sitive Impact with Scratch

We recently chatted with Doug from Scratch Pet Food – a Business Partner since 2022 and now, due to increasing level of support, one of our newest Platinum Partners! 

Doug and Co-founder Mike created Scratch in 2018, out of a desire to provide pet owners with a better understanding of what they are feeding their furry friends. As a certified B-corporation, Scratch also has a commitment to making the world a better place – and since partnering with us in 2022, have already donated a whopping $35,000 to help protect around 7000 sqm of World Heritage Daintree rainforest.

 

Doug and Mike from Scratch (Image credit: Metorik.com)

 

Tell us how Scratch Pet Food came to be?

Scratch started 4.5 years ago when Mike & I were introduced by a mutual friend. Mike was from a marketing background and had fallen down the pet food rabbit hole when trying to find the best food for his sick dogs. I had been working in pet food operations and product development for 6 years and was getting frustrated with decisions being made by major brands that were all about profit and marketing claims before nutrition. I think we met only twice before deciding we had to make the healthiest dog food we could and be 100% transparent about the recipe.

 

Why is it important for Scratch to support an organisation like Rainforest Rescue?

From before Scratch was officially born, Mike & I agreed that we would be “1% for the Planet” members and would work towards becoming a B-Corp. So from day one, we have donated 1% of total revenue to organisations that are deemed to be effective on issues of climate, food, land, pollution, water, or wildlife. Having a trusted 3rd party audit this pledge each year, and knowing that the organisations we give to are well run and have a positive impact really resonated with the transparency we try to put into all parts of Scratch.

As we have grown over the years we now regularly support four groups as part of our 1% for the Planet commitment. All are Australian-based and effective at combating habitat loss and climate change in different ways.

 

Do you get positive feedback from customers about supporting Rainforest Rescue?

While dog health (and taste approval) is the most important reason people join Scratch, our donation program also helps customers know they are helping the planet as well as their dog. For each order we detail the 2% we donate on their receipt (1% for the Planet + 1% for Dogs). Anytime we share how much we have donated so far or our impact report we get a lot of love. We don’t do enough to promote our partnerships – so look out for more of that this year!

 

Since you partnered with us just last year, Scratch has already donated over $35,000, contributing to the protection of around 7000 sqm of unprotected, World Heritage Daintree rainforest. How does that make you feel? 

Yeah, that is amazing! As of the end of 2022, we have donated  $347,000 across all partners for the planet and for dogs. There is no way Mike & I could ever have had that impact individually. It really highlights the power of business to do good and could not have been achieved without the thousands of customers who trust and support us and our amazing team. We are so proud!

 

Daintree rainforest (Image credit: Martin Stringer)

 

What is the best thing about being a Platinum Partner with Rainforest Rescue?

Being a Platinum Partner with Rainforest Rescue is further recognition that we actually are having a positive impact and doing what we say.  

I grew up on a former cane farm that bordered Wooroonooran National Park – in Far North Queensland. About ⅓ of the land was totally indistinguishable from the national park and then my parents planted thousands of native plants on previously cleared land – I “helped”….

It takes a lot of time and hard work to bring the rainforest back and we are honoured to be able to help Rainforest Rescue complete this vital work.

 

What do you love about being in the rainforest?

I love the air totally overflowing with the smell of life and decay, that every square centimetre has something amazing going on and of course when the afternoon rain finally breaks through after building all day. Walking up a crystal clear rainforest creek has to be one of the most relaxing experiences on the planet.

———————

Thank you so much Doug and Scratch for improving the lives of our furry friends at home, as well as protecting habitat for those in the rainforest! Your efforts are making a HUGE positive impact on the planet, and paving the way for other businesses to do the same 🌿

 

 

---

 

Want more good Rainforest news in your life?

Subscribe to our eNews  | Follow us on Instagram  |  Like us on Facebook  | Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Help Protect Rainforests Forever

Donate to Protect Rainforests Forever  |  Become a Rainforest Guardian for as little as $2 a month  |  Partnership Options