Pet business should start with passion, not profit
MANILA, Philippines — Passion — not profit — should be the driving force behind anyone planning to venture into the pet care industry.
A trade marketing officer of a pet care brand highighlighted this reminder to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start a pet-related business.
"Start a pet business kapag 'yung passion mo sa pet ay 'di mapapantayan. You cannot start a pet business if you don't love your fur babies. Kasi it will be profit-based," Nathaniel Ladica, trade marketing officer of United Baarde Inc., told Philstar.com.
The company is behind Pure Choice Pet Care products.
Ladica said passion provides the foundation for a business with a lasting purpose.
"Hindi ka tatagal kapag hindi mo passion kasi you won't see its purpose. I recommend, if you're passionate about pets and you want to start a pet business, approach the right people, approach the right trade partners," he advised.
Beyond running a business, Ladica stressed the importance of understanding pet nutrition, saying entrepreneurs should educate themselves about the dietary needs of dogs and cats before selling pet food or related products.
"Alamin niyo 'yung ganda ng produkto na kinakain ng pets niyo. If you want to start a pet business dapat alam mo 'yung nutrition na kailangan ng aso at pusa kasi 'di ka lang basta magpapakain ng aso at pusa," he said.
He also pointed to the plight of stray animals, noting that many become sick or die after consuming whatever food they can find.
"A lot of strays die because they eat random na pagkain sa kalsada. Kaya 'pag nakakakita talaga kami ng stray parang 'ay ito kailangan nila to,'" he said.
Ladica explained that proper nutrition plays a critical role in keeping pets healthy because, unlike humans, dogs and cats cannot naturally produce certain essential nutrients on their own.
"Parang tao, dogs and cats need the right nutrition kasi sa katawan ng aso at pusa, hindi sila nakakapag-produce ng specific nutrients like protein, omega 3, omega 6, minerals. Hindi nila kayang i-produce 'yon kaya nagre-rely sila sa kinakain nila," he explained.
As more Filipinos welcome pets into their homes and the local pet care industry continues to grow, Ladica hopes aspiring business owners will prioritize animal welfare and responsible pet nutrition alongside building a successful enterprise.
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