It’s well known that pet lovers treasure their pets and typically treat them like family members. So they are mindful that proper nutrition is one way to keep their pets healthy. That’s why Stella & Chewy’s Pet Food, made right here in Oak Creek, is so appealing. This locally owned, nationwide company takes great pride in its quality product line and its commitment to making the highest quality natural pet food. Its emphasis is always on nutrition, palatability, safety and convenience.
Stella & Chewy’s fascinating story began in 2003 in a small, New York City apartment occupied by Marie Moody. At the time, Moody was a young woman transitioning out of her fashion industry job and she had rescued a beloved pup, Chewy, who had severe health problems. At the recommendation of a veterinarian, Moody put Chewy on a raw meat/vegetable diet, and within a short amount of time, Chewy made a complete recovery.
This inspired Moody so she decided to research the benefits of less-processed food for animals. Relying on her entrepreneurial spirit, and recognizing an under-served market within the large and growing pet food industry, Moody began to focus on manufacturing and sales of her raw natural pet food line. She created a family of distinctive pet food products and named the company after her own two pets (Stella and Chewy, both adopted from animal rescue shelters).
For the first few years, Stella & Chewy’s pet food was sold primarily in Manhattan, N.Y. But as orders steadily increased, Moody outgrew her apartment kitchen production space. So, in 2007, she relocated her family to Muskego, Wis. to open a 13,000-sq.-ft. manufacturing facility. (She was a Wisconsin girl who had attended the University of Wisconsin.)
Moody continued to dedicate herself to creating exceptional products made only with wholesome ingredients. Sales reached new heights, and in 2014, Stella & Chewy’s broke ground for a new manufacturing facility in Oak Creek. The company relocated to its new home in the spring of 2015.
NUTRITION PHILOSOPHY
You may ask, “What makes Stella & Chewy’s pet food so special?” For starters, they use the world’s finest ingredients from suppliers they know and trust. From responsibly sourced animal proteins, to 100% organic fruits and vegetables, Stella & Chewy’s is passionate about providing the absolute best for pets. Their nutrition philosophy includes:
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS From animal proteins to organic fruits and vegetables, the world’s finest ingredients are always used, sourced from trusted suppliers.
- RESPONSIBLY SOURCED The animal proteins used in Stella & Chewy’s recipes are always grass-fed, cage-free, wild-caught, farm-raised, and responsibly sourced from trusted partners.
- COMPLETE AND BALANCED Fortified with vitamins and minerals to ensure your pets gets the nutrition they need, Stella & Chewy’s diets are completely balanced to help dogs and cats thrive.
- NONE OF THE BAD STUFF There are no artificial preservatives, colors or flavors in any of Stella & Chewy’s recipes – and meats never contain added hormones or antibiotics.
Today, as chairman of the board, Moody still leads Stella & Chewy’s, one of the fastest growing, privately held companies in the nation. The majority of their pet food products are made in Oak Creek, using the talents of more than 550 employees, with 450 of those being production staff (regular and temps).
“Stella & Chewy’s has expanded both sales and product offerings over the past few years, and we expect the growth to continue,” says Marc Hill, CEO of Stella & Chewy’s. “In order to meet projected product demand, the company is expanding its current production footprint in Oak Creek by approximately 140,000 square feet of additional space (see photos on opposite page). We welcome and appreciate the support of the Oak Creek community, and are looking forward to bringing additional employment opportunities to the area,” Hill adds.
Stella & Chewy’s offers a complete line of food for both dogs and cats. All of their frozen and freeze-dried products go through HPP (high-pressure processing) to naturally destroy harmful bacteria while assuring the food’s nutritional value is not affected. Dogs and cats, especially those with compromised immune systems, can benefit from a raw diet that doesn’t carry the risk of bacterial contamination. The pet food line includes a variety of choices dependent on pet size, life stage, specific needs (e.g., picky eater, allergies), protein type (e.g., beef, chicken, venison, fish, pork). And there are a multitude of products, from kibble and biscuits to patties, grains, stews and weenies – even hemp dog treats for joint pain. Stella & Chewy’s products are sold at a variety of quality pet supply stores, including Oak Creek’s very own Bentley’s Pet Stuff at Drexel Town Square and Blain’s Farm & Fleet on Rawson Ave. in Oak Creek.
The company is also converting to recyclable packaging in support of a healthier planet. Its new packaging is identified with either a recyclable #4 or #2. Packaging with the How2Recycle label can also be dropped off at select retail stores in the neighborhood.
“We are a diverse, hard-working group that LOVES its pets!” says Molly Mulcahy, VP of brand marketing for Stella & Chewy’s. “When you arrive at our office, you will often be greeted by a handful of our office pups. We work hard, and our dogs will tell you we play hard, too!” she adds. “And we’re proud to be recognized as one of the 2020 Top Workplaces in Milwaukee by the Journal Sentinel.”
Giving back to the community is an important part of Stella & Chewy’s mission, especially focusing on senior pets. The business is committed to helping overlooked older pets find their forever homes through its Journey Home Fund, and focusing on adult and senior pet adoptions. Stella & Chewy’s supports shelters across the nation, and has donated more than 1.5 million meals to animals in need, while also helping to cover adoption fees.
Stella & Chewy’s is proud of its quality product line and its commitment to healthy dogs and cats. Oak Creek is proud to call this innovative company a great part of the City’s business community. Why not try out Stella & Chewy’s pet food on your own cherished pet, and see the difference?
Stella & Chewy’s
111 W. Oakview Pkwy. • 414-747-9710
stellaandchewys.com