your dog is family, feed them like it!

Our mission is to create human-grade, functional dog treats so purposeful they're not just a treat, but a healthy ritual.

Read our nutritional promise

our origin story

our origin story

It all started on a hot summer day in the middle of the pandemic. My daughter took our dog, River, to our neighborhood organic market while I sat in my eighth virtual meeting of the day. She came home—shopping list complete—with a hot, panting dog and a story.

She told me that as she was walking home, a neighbor asked if she or River wanted a popsicle. She told him she didn't want it, but River might...

"So, you basically just took candy from a stranger?!" She smiled, and asked if she could give some to Riv. I told her she could let her have a couple of licks, but that it was full of sugar, so not to let her have too much. I returned to my meeting, and about 20 minutes later, the proverbial light bulb went off in my head.

I knew our dog would devour that popsicle, and I realized I had never seen a truly healthy, frozen dog treat. I founded a company that makes healthy meals for people, so why not do the same for our beloved doggos? So, I got to work.

I researched the most effective natural ingredients from both Eastern and Western medicinal traditions with scientifically proven health benefits for dogs, and created functional recipes to help with prominent canine health issues. 

I made each treat whimsical, purposeful, pure, and, best of all, healthy. I developed each treat so that they are both fun and functional for our furry friends. And, River, my CTO (chief tasting officer), and hundreds of other doggos in my ever-expanding focus group, give puppops a big paws up!

chef justine kelly

Founder | CEO

meet the people behind the pops!

Woman & Queer Founded

We come from industries where final decision making is rarely made by people that look like us. While our identities are part of who we are, in our hearts we are truly obsessed dog parents—here to feed your dog like family.

Award-winning Chef Created

Completely dog obsessed, Chef Justine, brings over 25 years of culinary experience to every wellness recipe at Puppops. Her career includes co-founding renowned meal kit company, Sunbasket, and as executive chef at San Francisco's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, The Slanted Door.

Boring isn't in our DNA

Dogs are the opposite of boring. They are silly, exuberant, and they love unconditionally. They are childlike in the best of ways. Everyday we strive to embody that incredible dog spirit in everything we do.

Award-winning Chef Created

Completely dog obsessed, Chef Justine, brings over 25 years of culinary experience to every wellness recipe at Puppops. Her career includes co-founding renowned meal kit company, Sunbasket, and as Executive Chef at San Francisco's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, The Slanted Door.

Our Founding Pack

Chef Justine & River Kelly

Chef Justine brings 25+ years of culinary experience as Executive Chef & Co-founder of Sunbasket, and as the Executive Chef at San Francisco's James Beard Award-winning restaurant, The Slanted Door. She is excited to bring her deep passion for impeccable cuisine to the world of dog nutrition & wellness. Chef Justine's pup, River, is a pretty girl who has the immense distinction of tasting the world's first official puppop! She loves smelling every single pee spot in her hometown of Oakland.

river's favorite puppops:

chicken soup

Andy & Louie Bossley

Andy is our CMO, bringing 10+ years of marketing executive experience to the team with industry accolades such as becoming a Forbes 30 under 30 list maker in 2017. His love for diversity & animal welfare is always present as a queer beekeeper and pup parent with his husband, Piney. Andy's pup, Louie, is gainfully employed as our Chief Woofing Officer. She was a rescue with a tough start in life, but brings her sweet husky charm all over her hometown of Austin.

Louie's Favorite puppops:

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