Cover Hong Kong dog food company Buddy Bites, co-founded by Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow 2023 Ryan Black (pictured), announces its expansion to the UK and a partnership with three local animal shelters (Photo: Buddy Bites)
Hong Kong dog food company Buddy Bites, co-founded by Tatler Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow 2023 Ryan Black (pictured), announces its expansion to the UK and a partnership with three local animal shelters (Photo: Buddy Bites)
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Buddy Bites, which donates dog food for every order made, is also partnering with two animal shelters in the country
Buddy Bites, a Hong Kong and Singapore-based dog food company known for its commitment to donating food to animal shelters, is expanding its operations into the UK to bolster its efforts in supporting animal welfare.
Buddy Bites, co-founded by Gen.T Leader of Tomorrow 2023 Ryan Black, provides dog food subscription services. For every 2 kg of dog food sold, the company donates 1 kg to animal shelters to alleviate their financial burdens and enhance pet lives with nutritious food.
So far, it has donated over 5 million meals across Hong Kong and Singapore. In the UK, the company will collaborate with Last Chance Animal Rescue Centre, Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home and The Oxfordshire Animal Sanctuary. “After speaking with several shelters, it is evident that there is a great deal of passion for animal welfare yet very limited reliable sources for consistent, high-quality food,” Black says.
Read more: Buddy Bites’ Ryan Black on co-founder dynamics and supporting dog shelters
The startup has been accepted into a three-month accelerator programme run by Leap Venture Studio & Academy, a pet-focused venture accelerator based in San Francisco. Beginning in February, the programme includes five other companies and provides each participant with a funding boost of US$200,000, along with mentorship to support future fundraising efforts.
The brand offers diverse dog food options with recipes featuring fresh meat as a primary ingredient and a prebiotic blend supporting gut health. Made in Europe, its products comply with the standards set by the Association of American Feed Control Officials.
Read more: 6 pet-friendly hotels for your next Hong Kong staycation
Buddy Bites sources its dog food directly from suppliers instead of relying on distributors. This direct partnership involving fewer stakeholders reduces operational costs and supports the business’s donation initiative.
The company started in 2020 when Black and his co-founder Chris Lee, who had a habit of stockpiling kibbles at home, decided to explore a direct-to-consumer pet food business that would offer subscription services.
“Chris had adopted two dogs from the dog shelter Catherine’s Puppies [in Hong Kong] and I later adopted one as well. We knew from our mates that many of the younger generation pet owners had adopted, indicating a clear need and desire to give back to society [and do good]. Therefore, we felt it was important to provide our peers the ability to give back,” Black told Tatler Gen.T in a previous interview.
Meet more Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow from the Social Entrepreneurship sector.
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Based in Hong Kong, editor Yoyo Chow covers the people and ideas redefining Asia’s future—from cutting-edge innovation and AI to bold moves in sustainability and diversity. She also drives content for Tatler Gen.T in Hong Kong, a platform and community spotlighting the region’s next generation of startup founders, creatives and changemakers.
Before that, she was a video journalist producing content for international TV and digital platforms, including Reuters and South China Morning Post. If you have a powerful story to share, she’s all ears. Send press materials, event invites and any inquiries to yoyo.chow@tatlerasia.com.
