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REDBARN’S HISTORY

Our Story

Jeff and Howie Hockey Picture

The Redbarn Story

At 12 years old, Redbarn founders Jeff Baikie and Howie Bloxam met on a hockey rink in Canada and established a lasting friendship turned lifelong business partnership. 

That’s why we believe our family is more than Redbarn’s culture; it’s our story.

In the early 90s, Jeff and Howie saw a need for wholesome, high-quality dog food, and in 1996 they co-founded what is known today as Redbarn Pet Products. Their love for creating products pet parents trust has grown to a family of 500 members and over 200 foods, treats and chews.

For over 25 years, Redbarn has been a family-owned business, and we are committed to staying that way. We aren’t just a strong team, we’re a family.

Red Barn and Rolled Food

First Success

Their first product, Redbarn Premium Rolled Food, came to fruition after the pair rigged an old kitchen, determined to cook nutritious food that lived up to its name. Once their dogs approved, Rolled Food and Redbarn saw quick success in the pet community. Pet parents enjoyed their food made with high quality, simple ingredients, and began to request natural treats their dogs could enjoy, as well. This demand led Jeff and Howie to produce their top-seller: Redbarn Bully Sticks.

After a few years of making products out of their kitchens in the US and Canada, they realized it was time for more space. Both decided to merge operations to Southern California under one roof. It was time to take their grassroots approach to new heights.

Long Beach Offices

Long Beach, CA

In 1998, Jeff and Howie purchased their first production facility in Long Beach, California.

As their popularity grew, they believed this move would allow them to produce more products to meet the growing needs of their loyal pet parents, and they were right.

What started as one warehouse quickly expanded to nine additional buildings on their lot within just a few years. This location later became the home of their corporate office as the company grew to another facility within the U.S. and abroad in South America.

Bully Sticks

Kansas and Paraguay
Became Our New Homes

More growth meant more opportunity and by 2004, Redbarn purchased a bully stick manufacturing plant in Paraguay. By purchasing this plant, Redbarn was able to guarantee their highly sought-after chews came from the best quality beef— at an affordable price.

By 2010, the Long Beach facility outgrew its manufacturing capabilities, leading to a second manufacturing plant purchase in Kansas. This FDA certified human-grade ham plant included a state-of-the-art water treatment system, allowing Redbarn to produce products in a safe and sustainable environment.

Cat Face Icon

The Year of the Cat and Beyond

In 2014, it was time for Redbarn to meet the needs of a different type of pet parent with Redbarn’s Grain-Free Cat Food and treats. Just like Redbarn’s dog food and treats, it was important for this new line of products to go through the same Quality Assurance standards to ensure safety and integrity.

Today, our Quality Assurance team runs over 3,500 physical, chemical, and microbiological test a week on our products before they ever reach a pet parent’s pantry.

graph with growth arrow

We Grow in Leaps and Bounds

By 2019, history repeated itself when another opportunity for expansion arrived. The team acquired a new facility in Rochester, New York, equipping Redbarn with the technology to create a new line of injected molded treats. These treats not only speak to current trends and desires of pet parents but genuinely support the health of their pet.

SQF Certification Logo
In 2021, after more than two decades of investing both time and money into our quality assurance programs, Redbarn became SQF Food Safety Code for Manufacturing Certified by the Safe Quality Food (SQF) Initiative. SQF Certification is not a requirement in the pet product industry. Being Certified means a company is highly dedicated to the safety and quality of their products.
By passing the rigorous SQF Program, we continue to prove our commitment to manufacturing only the most safe, nutritious and highest quality pet products, just as we have over the last 25 years.

As we continue to grow, we want all pet parents to feel confident when treating their pet to Redbarn. Our team members, our Redbarn family, choose to be honest, to have strong moral principles, and to exceed ethical standards every day. We recognize our daily decisions directly impact the health and wellness of your pets. And because pets are part of our families too, there’s a personal stake in every decision we make.

Jeff and Howie Portrait

Our Mission

From the beginning, we baked our products with the love and warmth of our family, no matter how big our kitchens grew. We are passionate about making products pet’s love, and parents trust.

While we have watched our family grow over the years, our mission remains clear: to provide healthy, wholesome, and innovative food, chews and treats.

Jeff and Howie Signatures

 

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Dogs4Diabetics Official Treat Sponsor

LEARN MORE ABOUT DOGS4DIABETICS

We care
about pets in need

Jeff and Howie started Redbarn with the belief that all pets deserve high quality, natural food and treats.

For the past twenty five years, Redbarn has donated food, treats and chews to shelters, rescue groups, and pet-related organizations to help support animals in need.

READ MORE STORIESOUR HUFFINGTON POST STORY

Organizations we’ve assisted