Episode Description
In this episode of the Barking Mad, Dr. Stephanie Clark and Jordan Tyler interview Dr. Mahsa Vazin, founder of Pawco Foods, a company pioneering plant-based dog food. Mahsa discusses her unique journey from a Persian upbringing that emphasized meat and fear of animals to becoming a vegetarian and a pet food innovator with the mission to create sustainable, nutritious, and cruelty-free food for dogs.
The conversation covers:
- Challenges of developing “Green Meat”
- Leveraging AI for product optimization
- Importance of sustainability in pet welfare
Tune in to learn more about the burgeoning plant-based pet food market and Mahsa's passion for positively impacting the environment and pet health.
Links:
PawCo Website: https://www.mypawco.com/
Show Notes:
00:00 - Introduction to Vegan Dog Diets and Dr. Mahsa Vazin
01:33 - Mahsa's Journey to Plant-Based Diets
02:57 - The Birth of PawCo and Its Mission
03:44 - Understanding Vegan vs. Healthy Pet Food
05:41 - PawCo's Target Audience and Market Demand
07:15 - Pioneering Plant-Based Meat for Dogs
08:30 - Core Values and the Future of Sustainable Food
09:22 - Winning Over the Rally In-Prize Pitch Competition Judges
10:51 - Big Funding = Big Plans for Expansion
11:31 - Leveraging AI for Innovation
12:45 - Perfecting the Palatability of Plant-Based Meat for Dogs
15:06 - The Secret to Mahsa and PawCo's Success
15:54 - Challenges and Overcoming Obstacles
17:08 - Mahsa's Dream of a Cruelty-Free World
17:46 - Unwinding from PawCo (The Job) with Paco (The Dog)
18:51 - Mahsa's Greatest Achievement So Far
19:17 - Conclusion and Farewell