YORK, MAINE — Since founding RAWZ Natural Pet Food in 2015, Janet Scott has made it her mission to share her company’s profits with charitable organizations she believes in. After almost 10 years in business, she and her husband have donated around $3.725 million to various causes in the pet industry and those supporting spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
“We founded RAWZ Natural Pet Food in 2015 with the mission of giving back,” she said.
In the following Q&A, Scott shares how she’s overcome competitive challenges in the industry to maintain her profitable and charitable business model.
PFP: How did you get your start in the pet industry, and how did that experience lead you to where you are now?
Scott: My first experience with the pet industry began when my husband and I started dating in February 1976. His family owned the Old Mother Hubbard Dog Food Company. I had grown up without pets, so my first real introduction to the world of animals came through weekend dog shows, where I joined him and his family.
After we got married, I became more involved, spending weekends working for Old Mother Hubbard. I handled tasks like tallying sales in both dollars and pounds, which gave me valuable insight into the business and a newfound appreciation for the pet industry.
PFP: What has been your biggest challenge — personal or professional — related to your work in the pet industry?
Scott: Old Mother Hubbard sold to the owners of WellPet with the Wellness® brand in 2008. As the founders of the Wellness Pet Food Company, I initially believed that our history with Wellness would encourage retailers to buy from us when we launched RAWZ. However, that wasn’t the case. With only four people on our team, RAWZ faced significant challenges in gaining sales initially, which made the early days particularly challenging.
PFP: Tell me about a professional accomplishment in the pet industry that you are proud of.
Scott: We founded RAWZ Natural Pet Food in 2015 with the mission of giving back. My proudest achievement is that, to date, we have donated $3.725 million to support service animals, cat rescues, and causes related to spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.

Janet and Jim Scott, owners of RAWZ Natural Pet Food, present the National Service Dogs (NSD) organization with a $50,000 check from the company’s 2023 profits.
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PFP: What is top of mind for you and/or your business in the industry right now?
“It’s essential for us to continue making a meaningful impact through our charitable contributions while navigating the challenges of the industry,” said Janet Scott of RAWZ.
Scott: Our top priority is sustaining our profit pledge in an increasingly competitive market. It’s essential for us to continue making a meaningful impact through our charitable contributions while navigating the challenges of the industry.
PFP: If you could pick three trends influencing the industry today, which are the most important and why?
Scott: Three of the biggest trends influencing the industry today are the rapid growth of e-commerce, the challenge of managing inflation, and the drive for continuous improvement. E-commerce growth has transformed the way consumers shop, requiring businesses to adapt and innovate. Managing inflation is crucial as it affects both production costs and pricing strategies, influencing accessibility for pet owners. Lastly, a commitment to continuous improvement ensures we stay competitive while meeting the evolving needs of pets and their families.
PFP: What is something about the pet industry that people outside of the industry may not realize?
Scott: One thing people outside the pet industry might not realize is the significant challenges within the supply chain. Securing high-quality ingredients is not only essential but also core to what we do at RAWZ. It’s a constant effort to maintain the standards that pets, and their families, deserve.
PFP: What advice would you give to other women in this industry?
Scott: My advice to other women in this industry is to embrace a strong sense of purpose and remain focused on your goals. Let your passion guide you, and don’t lose sight of what drives you, even in the face of challenges.
PFP Just for fun, do you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person? Or, if you have pets of your own, tell us a little bit about them.
Scott: I’ve always considered myself a dog person. Although we don’t currently have any pets of our own, we still have plenty of dogs to love in our family. Our beloved yellow lab, Boomer, passed away several years ago, but our sons have continued the tradition of being dog lovers. Our son, Jimmy, has Clooney, a silver lab rescue; while our other son, Andrew and his wife, Katie, have Sophie, a golden retriever, and Tommy, a mixed-breed rescue. It’s heartwarming to see the joy these dogs bring to our family.
Janet Scott co-founded RAWZ Natural Pet Food in 2015 with her husband Jim and son Jimmy, drawing on decades of industry experience. Her career includes nearly 30 years at Old Mother Hubbard/Wellness, where she worked part-time from 1979 to 2008, and more than 20 years as a general contractor, specializing in high-end homes, from 1984 to 2007. The Scotts have made it their mission to provide pets with a variety of quality nutritional options without the use of rendered meals, rendered fats or commercial gums. The company also donates 100% of its profits (after taxes and reserves) to causes that support service dogs, spinal cord and traumatic brain injuries.
Continue reading about other female leaders featured in our Women in the Pet Industry series.