In the world of pet wellness, “locally sourced” is a buzzword we hear often—but a new collaboration between two BC businesses is giving the term a heartwarming, community-driven update. This week, Richmond’s Bodega Pets Foods & Supply and Coquitlam’s Furrytales Pet are launching Mini Herring Steaks, a limited-edition treat born from a chance discovery and a shared desire to give back.
The story began when the Bodega Pets team spotted a local herring sale in Steveston organized by Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer. The annual event raises vital funds for children battling cancer, and Bodega Pets co-owner Louisa Chan saw a rare opportunity to turn that local catch into something special for BC’s cats and dogs.
Handcrafted with Heart
To bring the vision to life, Bodega Pets tapped the expertise of Furrytales Pet founders Miko Ong and William Li. As a professional catering chef and a baker, the duo specializes in handcrafted, small-batch treats.
The process was anything but easy:
- The Sourcing: The team purchased 60 pounds of Canadian herring directly through the charity sale.
- The Labor: Three people spent over four hours simply cleaning the fish before trial and testing began.
- The Result: After extensive experimentation, they developed a freeze-dried “Mini Herring Steak” that preserves the fish’s natural nutritional value.
Nutrition with a Purpose
Herring is a nutritional powerhouse for pets, naturally rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, and protein. These nutrients are essential for supporting heart and brain health, reducing inflammation, and promoting a healthy skin and coat for both dogs and cats.
While European herring treats exist, finding a version made from fresh Canadian waters is nearly impossible. “We’ve always loved the idea of bringing local herring to our cats and dogs, but it simply hasn’t been available,” says Chan.
Supporting BC Children’s Hospital
Beyond the health benefits, every bag carries a mission of hope. Furrytales Pet and Bodega Pets have committed to donating $5 from every bag sold directly to Fishermen Helping Kids with Cancer. The funds will support children and families receiving care at BC Children’s Hospital.
Due to the intensive preparation and limited supply, only 40 bags were produced for this inaugural batch. If you want to snag one for your furry friend, set your alarms—they launch at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 13, 2026.
Availability:
- Online: furrytalespet.ca
- In-Store: Bodega Pets Foods & Supply in Richmond
- Price: $14 per 45g bag
It is a rare chance to treat your pet to something that is as good for the community as it is for their health. Between the high-protein, Omega-3-rich Canadian herring and the $5 donation heading to BC Children’s Hospital, these Mini Herring Steaks are truly the catch of the season. —Noa Nichol
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March 13th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
This is a really great example of how local initiatives can create something meaningful beyond just the product itself. Turning a community charity sale into a limited-edition pet treat while supporting children’s healthcare is a thoughtful approach, and it’s nice to see businesses keeping the focus on both nutrition and impact.
It also shows how much the outcome of a project depends on identifying the right inputs and processes early on—whether it’s sourcing ingredients, testing preparation methods, or managing limited supply. In other fields like technology, people often look at performance the same way, trying to figure out which part of a system is actually limiting the final result. Tools that analyze those constraints can be pretty helpful—for example I came across this one recently: “https://thebottleneckcalculator.com/”, which explains the concept well.
Overall, it’s refreshing to see collaborations that support local communities while also bringing something new to the market.