Founded by Mike Grady, Julie Grady, and William Busch, Better Buddies is a pet merchandise company that challenges standards in the pet market and in business practices. As they were rummaging through unattractive, low quality pet toys and beds, the founders wondered why there weren’t more beautiful, sustainable, and high quality products for their “furballs.” Moreover, a pet adoption service in the store was asking them to take home another needy critter. They then realized they could offer solutions to the above issues by starting a socially responsible business, and Better Buddies was born right there in the pet store.
Based in Los Angeles, California, Better Buddies offers well-designed and eco-friendly pet beds, bedrolls, and food mats. The beds are made with certified organic cotton, hemp, and recycled PET fiber, while the food mats are made from upcycled yoga mats. Additionally, Better Buddies donates 10 percent of profits to the Best Friends Animal Society’s Guardian Angel Program, which helps the neediest pets find homes.