ROCKLIN, CALIF. — Campfire Treats has partnered with Humane Farm Animal Care to introduce more animal-welfare certified dog treats to its existing portfolio of responsibly sourced, all-natural products. The new treat line includes a range of treat and chew formulas, all certified against stringent animal welfare standards and bearing the Certified Humane logo on packaging.

“With this addition of Certified Humane products, we are proud to offer our animal-loving customers in total over 20 welfare-certified dog treats and chews — one of the largest selections in the country,” said Marko Wittich, president and co-founder of Campfire Treats.

Treats in the new Certified Humane line include responsibly sourced single-ingredient beef jerky treats, as well as Hearty Bites training treats, for dogs. The initial launch will include 15 dog treat products, with more on the way later in 2024.

“Shoppers are demanding higher welfare standards from the food they buy — even for their pets,” added Mimi Stein, executive director of Certified Humane. “We were happy to work with Campfire Treats to make sure their products come from farms and ranches that prioritize responsible animal practices, backed by the scientific community.”

According to the ASPCA, 90% of Americans who purchase pet food formulated with animal-based ingredients would be willing to switch to another diet if it offered higher animal welfare standards.

“Unfortunately, pet food packaging is often plastered with meaningless claims and images of happy farm animals aiming to ‘humane wash’ products, which are in reality made from conventional (not animal welfare-certified) proteins,” Wittich said. “We therefore recommend our customers to always look for credible third-party certifications, such as Certified Humane or Global Animal Partnership (GAP), when shopping for food and treats for their four-legged family members.”

The adoption of the Certified Humane certification is the latest move in Campfire Treats’ sustainability journey, but represents a significant step forward, according to Anna Sostarecz, business manager of US Food for Compassion in World Farming.

“Certified Humane is one of the best indicators of a higher welfare animal product,” Sostarecz commented. “Compassion in World Farming applauds Campfire Treats for obtaining this certification, proving its dedication to building a transparent and more humane food system. Through this achievement, we hope other pet food companies will follow Campfire Treats’ leadership in creating a more humane food system for all animals.”

Brands displaying the Certified Humane Raised and Handled logo are communicating to consumers that all animal-based ingredients come from responsible producers that adhere to strict animal welfare standards. Some of these standards include never keeping animals in cages, crates or tie stalls, and allowing animals to express natural behavior, such as letting chickens flap their wings and pigs “root around,” Campfire Treats shared. The certification is recognized by both Compassion in World Farming and the ASPCA’s Shop With Your Heart program.

“We applaud Campfire Treats’ continued commitment to farm animal welfare that gives pet owners welfare-certified alternatives aligned with their compassion for animals,” added Nancy Roulston, senior director of corporate policy and animal scientist for ASPCA Farm Animal Welfare. “Like most of the meat, eggs and dairy consumed by people, almost all pet food is made from animals who spent their lives confined in inhumane conditions on factory farms despite widespread public concern. Incorporating the Certified Humane standards into Campfire Treats’ product offering means shoppers have even more options sourced from higher-welfare farms and ranches.”

Campfire Treats was one of the first treat brands to sign on to the ASCPA’s Better Chicken Commitment, through which it committed to source chicken ingredients solely from GAP-certified farms. In July 2023, Campfire Treats announced it had become the first company to have signed the Better Chicken Commitment and achieve full compliance.

The company became GAP-certified itself in March 2022 and introduced a new line of GAP-certified dog treats in early 2023. In addition to its animal welfare focus, Campfire Treats has also been working toward reducing plastic waste. In late 2021, it completed its transition to 100% biodegradable and fully recyclable shipping materials along its supply chain, and in mid-2022 the company partnered with rePurpose Global to fund the removal of as much plastic from the environment as it uses for its dog treat business.

Read more about sustainability efforts across the pet food and treat industry.