PERHAM, MINN. — Tuffy’s Treat Company, a subsidiary of KLN Family Brands, announced May 18 it has acquired Finley’s Barkery, a pet treat company dedicated to creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Financial details of the acquisition were not disclosed. Finley’s Barkery will continue to operate under its name and its product lines and founding principles will carry on under Tuffy’s ownership.

“At KLN Family Brands, it’s part of our vision to better the world by caring for others,” said Charlie Nelson, chief executive officer of KLN Family Brands. “We have long admired the work that Angie and Kyle have done in utilizing the Finley’s brand as a vehicle to provide paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities.   Their mission-based entrepreneurial spirit so closely aligns with our values that the opportunity to bring the Finley’s brand under the KLN umbrella was a natural fit.”

The acquisition follows a co-manufacturing partnership established between KLN and Finley’s Barkery in the summer of 2021, through which Tuffy’s provided an interest-free bridge loan to Finley’s. Tuffy’s and its NutriSource Pet Foods brand also pledged to help Finley’s develop and produce its new Functional Benefit Bars at NutriSource’s new pet treat manufacturing facility in Delano, Minn., through the partnership.

According to Tuffy’s, the prior partnership will be “further bolstered” by the acquisition. Finley’s is also expected to benefit from Tuffy’s organizational infrastructure and established distribution channels.

“Charlie Nelson and the entire team at KLN Family Brands have been tremendously supportive of Finley’s,” said Angie Gallus, co-founder of Finley’s Barkery. “We are deeply humbled that what began as a dream to help those with disabilities will now be part of a company that shares our passion for pets and people. We couldn’t ask for a better fit.”

Finley’s Barkery was founded in 2010 by two former special education teachers, Kyle and Angie Gallus. Since 2016, the company has helped to create more than 9,000 hours of paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities through its ambassador program. Finley’s has also donated more than $120,000 to date in an effort to support pets and people in need.

Kyle and Angie Gallus will continue to lead the Finley’s brand, with Kyle taking on the role of vice president of brand development and Angie becoming vice president of mission advancement.

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