(PRESS RELEASE) Continuing its commitment to bring natural to the pet world, Dharma Dog Karma Cat is exhibiting at Booth 1319 at Global Pet Expo a new look and an expanded lineup of 100 percent natural pet baskets, caves, toys and new-to-market collar accessories, all sustainably handcrafted by women’s collectives in Nepal and Vietnam. In addition, the brand is taking steps to help educate shoppers with valuable information about what to look for in natural pet products.
“Last year was our first Global Pet Expo since our launch in 2013, and we received an incredible response to our lineup of handcrafted, high-quality original designs that set the bar for what to expect in socially and environmentally sustainable, natural pet products,” said Jennifer Neufeld, co-founder and chief operating officer, Dharma Dog Karma Cat brand. “There’s growing category interest, but few companies who have our depth of cultural understanding, local manufacturing experience and eye for design. Our mission is to bring high-design, high-quality natural products to the world of pets.”
New Funky, On-Trend Products
New products at Global Pet Expo include:
• Given the popularity of baskets in today’s high-style homes, the brand is unveiling its first handmade woven basket bed made from sustainable seagrass and water hyacinth in Vietnam and a 100 percent wool pad that comes in a range of vibrant colors. The basket is available in four designs and three colorways and two sizes: 16-inch and 22-inch. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $65-90.
• Based on consumer demand for the brand’s unconventional designs, the brand will showcase even more of the stylish and funky wool beds that took the show by storm last year. The items are made with a unique blend of wools and are rich in lanolin, which reminds cats of their mother’s scent and helps condition paws and keep fur healthy. There will be new colors of the brand’s most popular Ombre Pod, a contemporary multi-shaded pod favored by designers, as well as themed styles, including a Cactus and a Penguin. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $60 to $90.
• The brand has completely revamped its “Handcrafted in Nepal” wool toy line, eliminating all plastic packaging and adding new, fun themes to the selection of 28 styles that include popular beach, sea, farming and space designs. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $6.95 to $9.95.
• A new item at Global Pet Expo is the brand’s original 100 percent Wool Cat Tree Garland, perfect for pet owners looking to give their cat trees more personality and an alternative option to craft store options made with wire and plastic. The garlands are 7-feet long and come in five seasonal styles, including leafy greens, butterflies and flowers, as well as holiday poinsettia and vintage holiday lights. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $40 to $60.
• The brand will debut a new product category — 100 percent wool collar accessories in more than six of its trademark fun designs, including flowers and Fourth of July fireworks. The accessories will be available in two sizes — 3-inch for cats/small dogs and 8-inch for larger dogs. Suggested retail pricing ranges from $7.95 to $14.95.
Good for Real: 100 Percent Natural Materials
The brand continues its commitment to using only sustainable, all-natural materials that are handcrafted in a socially conscious production which supports local artisans and their communities. The brand’s best-selling wool products are biodegradable, anti-microbial, odor-resistant and feature a unique blend of lanolin-rich Himalayan and other humanely harvested wools. All wools are sustainably produced with just wool, water and soap, using a low-impact dying process which uses less energy and produces less waste byproduct. The new baskets from Vietnam are made of fast-growing seagrass and water hyacinth which are harvested and made by rural communities.
“Because of the lack of definition and regulation in the industry, natural products have caused some confusion. That’s why consumer and retailer education and trust are so important,” said Jamyang Lodoe, co-founder and CEO. “I am from Nepal, and for many years oversaw one of the area’s well-known Tibetan carpet factories, so I have deep knowledge of all things wool and other eco-fibers, as well as ethical labor practices and what it means to be sustainable globally and locally. As a brand, we’re passionate about empowering pet owners with the products and information they need to make the best decisions for their pets.”
To help retailers, distributors and consumers better understand what to look for in natural products, the brand has developed its first “QuickRead” resource, a handy infographic with key product and sourcing information. The guide will be available online and at retail. For information, visit Booth 1319 or the brand’s wholesale site at distinctlyhimalayan.com.