Cindy, Scout and Zoe

Most of the dog people I know are super passionate about their dogs. Cindy Dunston Quirk is up there at the top of the list of passionate people. She started a business when she saw a need in the marketplace, which began with a need in her own dogs. Her passion shines through in this loving interview. You can hear the love in her voice as she tells us about her dogs and her relationship with them. Read on to learn more about Cindy, her passion for her dogs, and the resulting quality business she created out of all that love.

DRS: How did you get started in your pet business?

CDQ: My dog Zoe’s allergies lead me to start this venture [Scout &  Zoe’s dog chews and treats]. She developed allergies to beef among other things at the tender age of six months old. I searched and searched for a chew that wouldn’t irritate her skin or tummy.

In 2010 after years of trial and error, I hit on the idea of antlers. I gave antler chews to Zoe and Scout, who also has allergies. Lucky me! They did fine with the antlers and I shared them with close friends so their dogs could try the chews.

Zoe enjoying an antler chew

Eureka! A product was born. Once I saw the elk antlers were durable and wouldn’t irritate Scout or Zoe’s tummies, I developed packaging, branding and had the elk antler dog chews for sale in 14 days. It is an understatement to say I was driven to make this work.

That was back in 2010. In 2013, I added single ingredient treats in response to the Chinese chicken jerky that was killing precious pets. Those products are still in the assortment today….chicken jerky, sweet potatoes and carrots.

Beginning in 2014, I expanded the treat line to include novel proteins such as kangaroo, venison and duck and added bakery treats. The common thread with all the treats is that they are USA sourced and produced using human-grade raw ingredients. I eat all my treats to prove how safe they are. If the treats are not safe enough for me to eat, then I will never give them to my pups. If my pups aren’t allowed to have the treat, it will never be in our product assortment.

DRS: You are so resourceful, Cindy. My dogs love your antler chews and they last a really long time too. How does your business help both animals and people?

CDQ: Scout & Zoe’s provides healthy and safe treats for our furry pals. If the products are safe for me to eat, then my pups can have them. Then they are included in our product assortment. I tend to have an eye toward novel proteins and ingredients that will help animals with allergies. That is why most of our products are single ingredient or limited ingredients without any fillers or additives. All ingredients used are ones you can pronounce and know what they are. No bio-science degree necessary!

So, our treats help animals because they aren’t loaded with junk…. just healthy ingredients that are thoughtfully formulated into treats that will help our pets live their longest, healthiest and happiest lives possible.

We help pet parents by providing the same. Healthy treats that are consistently healthy and safe. When pet parents learn I eat my treats, that pretty much says it all. And many pet parents do the exact same thing, so we are on the same wavelength.

As pet parents, we all want our pets to live forever. While I haven’t figured out the forever ingredient listing yet, I can and do help give pet parents the peace of mind that the Scout & Zoe’s treats they are giving their precious fur babies won’t harm them. Healthy and happy for as long as possible!

DRS: Do you have any connection with animal rescue?

CDQ: I have a relationship with many animal rescues around the country but it all stems from Scout & Zoe’s. We help rescues by donating treats whenever possible. There are two local rescues that benefit on a regular basis. They are near and dear to my heart.

Following Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Scout & Zoe’s donated treats and antler chews and coordinated donations with fellow companies to send to shelters in Florida. Texas was overwhelmed with donations so all the assistance went to the grateful organizations in South Florida.

DRS: I’m so happy you were there for the hurricane Irma victims.

Do you have a favorite pet story?

CDQ: How much time do you have? Seriously though, I can’t choose just one. All my dogs have and do amaze me with their, silly personalities, loving dispositions and unconditional love and companionship. And every single dog I have ever had the pleasure of sharing my bed with has uniquely impacted my life. From my childhood raising Pekinese puppies to the dogs I have had as an adult, I love them all.

Harry & Schotz

Harry, my Keeshond and first dog as an adult, taught me to always go big or stay home. He thought he was much larger in life than his 35 lbs. He scared off much bigger and fiercer dogs from our rural property. He also taught me how to allow him to cross over [the Rainbow Bridge] with his dignity. I held his face in my hands as he left this earth. He was 15 years old and enjoyed every moment of his life. This was truly one of the moments I felt my heartbreak.

Schotz

Schotz, our first German Shepherd, taught both my husband and I to love unconditionally and to do everything we could do to try and overcome the cancer that ravaged our precious sweetheart. Nothing we could do could save her. From finding the cancer to sweet Schotz passing away, it was only three weeks. She was only 10 years old. We mourned for weeks. It took us an entire year to even think of bringing another Shepherd into our home.

While Zoe, our second German Shepherd, could never replace Schotz, she had such a great personality. She was affectionately called, “Devil Dog” during her puppy years. She was always into something. But she was loyal, intelligent and willing to please, she was my heart dog.

Solving the challenge of finding something for her to chew on due to her allergies drew me into the pet industry. And I will be forever grateful to her for that. She helped me find my passion and my way in the business of pets.

She was my canine companion, lover girl, business partner and best pal.

When I made the decision to allow her to continue her journey over the Bridge without me, it was the hardest decision I have ever made. I held her in my arms at home while the vet helped her cross over. And I continued to hold her until the funeral home came for her. I simply did not want to let her go. But her dignity was much more important than my earthly feelings. She was in pain and had always been such a proud, beautiful girl. This was the last loving thing I could do for her. She was 14 years old. I miss her so much.

Scout

Scout, our German Shorthaired Pointer, is always happy. He is comical, happy and goofy, and a snuggle buddy. He can never get too close to me on the couch, in bed, in the office or car. Wherever I am, you’ll find Scout. His middle name is Handsome and he certainly is. He is now nine years old and it hurts my heart to see him age. The once spry pup now has a silver muzzle and is more than happy to stay inside on a cold, blustery day.

Zoe and now Scout have shown me the holes in product offerings in the industry. And we have introduced products to fill those needs. Zoe continues to be beside us in spirit guiding both me, Scout and our company to do bigger and better things for fur babies globally.

Ziva

Then there is Ziva. She is our newest German Shepherd fur baby and is now 18 months old. Full of energy and drive, she is nothing and is also somewhat exactly like her German Shepherd predecessors in our home. Loving, alert, curious and playful, she gives Scout a run for his money daily.

Although I know Scout doesn’t remember, Ziva is giving him the treatment he gave Zoe when he was a pup. There is never a dull moment in our home. And the house is always covered in dog hair!

DRS: Cindy- you don’t have a favorite pet story. ALL of your pet stories are your favorite. It’s really beautiful. And what you share so elegantly is that despite our grief when we lose a pet, our hearts are big enough to love another one.

Can you offer 3 professional tips to my readers?

CDQ: Sure… this answer will be much shorter than the previous one. 🙂

1) Follow your passion. Find something you love, and make a career out of it. I can’t believe it took me so long to realize how much I loved dogs.

2) Old dogs can learn new tricks. I started Scout & Zoe’s at age 51. While I wish I had begun at a much younger age, the timing was perfect and the opportunity (along with my education, experience, and economic climate) was perfect. Sounds cliché but things always happen for a reason and the lesson will be presented when the student is ready. I wholeheartedly believe that.

3) Never underestimate yourself. In my sales career, it took me many years to learn how to say, “I don’t know the answer to that question, but I’ll find out.” You know much more than you ever give yourself credit for. Dream big! REALLY BIG! I did and look where it took me! This all started because I was searching for something for Zoe to chew on. Really because a girl loved her dogs. Can’t get more basic than that!

DRS: The beauty is in how basic it is. And I totally agree: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. Such sage advice. What’s next up for your biz? What can we be looking for?

CDQ: I love developing great new products. So much fun!

Scout & Zoe’s just introduced three new treats made from the invasive carp that are taking over American waterways. We call this our Fish on a Mission! ® Why do we call it a fish on a mission? Carp is an invasive fish that is making its way to the Great Lakes. We want to stop that one treat at a time! That was our original mission. But then we initiated this wonderful chain of strategic partnerships making this truly a Fish on a Mission! ®

The carp is caught by local Kentucky fishermen, processed by a second-chance employer and packaged by intellectually disabled adults. All so we can get our yummy treats into the mouths of deserving dogs globally! To learn more about our wonderful carp products and their story, visit  www.scoutandzoes.com/carp.

DRS: I love that the people helping your products get to market come from such diverse backgrounds. Where can we learn more about you and your business?

CDQ:
www.scoutandzoes.com
www.scoutandzoes.com/carp for more info on the carp products
www.scoutandzoes.com/hopewell for more information on our partnership with Hopewell…providing intellectually disabled adults with job skills to live life on their terms.

DRS: Is there anything else you would like for people to know about you or your business?

CDQ: Scout & Zoe’s is a socially and environmentally responsible company giving jobs to those needing a second chance or an opportunity to learn. But our main focus always has been and always will be the happiness and health of the precious pets of our customers.

I didn’t form Scout & Zoe’s to make money. I started it as a way to help dogs with allergies have something to chew on.

It wasn’t about the money. I get to surround myself every day with furry critters of all kinds. I am the happiest I have ever been.

DRS: Thank you for all of this information about you, your big-hearted company and the inspiration behind Scout & Zoe’s.

Thank you also for your contribution to What to Expect When Adopting A Dog. I am grateful.