Ann Brace makes natural and homemade treats mostly for dogs and sometimes cats, but has plans to expand her range. Photo: Supplied.
Growing up on a farm, Temora local Ann Brace has always loved animals and cooking.
When Ms Brace’s son wanted to treat his dog’s fleas, she decided they were going to do it naturally without relying on pesticides, and started doing a lot of research.
One thing led to another, and she fell down the rabbit hole of natural, homemade treats for dogs.
“I found it quite interesting,” she said. “So I started cooking recipes, and I’m constantly on the internet looking for different things, ideas and products to add to my range.”
She’s been building up Annie’s Pet Bakery slowly but steadily over the past few years, but most people she meets are surprised at what she does.
“Not many people know about it,” Ms Brace said. “Even though I’ve been doing it for quite a few years now, people are still surprised.”
Region caught up with Ms Brace to discuss everything pets, baking and plans to eventually set up a physical store.
What do you sell?
I sell homemade animal treats, they’re all natural – no additives or preservatives, all made by me. It’s mostly for dogs at the moment; I do some for cats as well – but I’m trying to venture into other pets.
Are there plans to move offline?
I do stalls and pop-ups at markets.
Which snacks are the most popular?
A few of the handmade biscuits that I make. So there’s peanut butter and cheese biscuit, and then the chicken jerky – so that’s dehydrated chicken breast, chicken livers and beef livers. They’re dehydrated as well.
How did Annie’s Pet Bakery start?
I grew up on a farm and I have a love for animals and cooking. My son had a dog that we wanted to get rid of its fleas, and we wanted to do it naturally.
And I just did a lot of research and then I started doing it.
Her treats are all natural and homemade. Photo: Supplied.
Can you tell us what the process is like?
It’s essentially like a normal biscuit dough, like we would make for ourselves. I use products that we normally add – I put it all in a mixing bowl, mix it, then I roll it, cut it, bake it and then dehydrate it before selling.
I’m very mindful [that animals can’t eat certain foods]. So like with peanut butter, I have to find one that’s natural and doesn’t have xylitol in it, which is the poisonous part of peanut butter [for dogs]. Then you have to be mindful of all the different vegetables that dogs can’t eat that we can.
So you’ve just got to be onto that and make sure you’re not adding something that is dangerous to dogs.
Was it a challenge to find all that?
Not now, but it was. I’ve done a lot of research before I’ve added new products and make sure it’s all natural and no additives or preservatives.
Favourite thing about the Riverina?
The people, the area, the community – they’re very tight-knit and care about each other. They’re very friendly.
Local business you’d like to shout out?
Oh, just the local businesses and market stall owners here in Temora. We support each other.
Any plans to move offline?
That’s my goal – we’re about halfway there. I still work part-time, so I’m trying to get out and build this enough so I can stop working for somebody else and work for myself.
Annie’s Pet Bakery currently does pop-ups at markets across the Riverina. Keep up with Ann Brace on Facebook and perhaps catch her at one of Riverina’s makers markets!
She will be at the Leeton Farmer’s Market, which occurs on the first Saturday of each month, the Narrandera Spring Fair on 1 November and the Kooringal Public School’s Twilight Market on 21 November.
