LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / February 3, 2025 / When Jennifer Wu co-founded Viva Raw alongside Zach in 2021, it wasn't just another pet food venture-it was a mission born out of necessity, love, and a commitment to transparency. The idea for Viva Raw didn't come from a business meeting or focus group; it emerged organically from their experience as pet parents determined to give their dog, Karoo, the healthiest possible life. What started as a way to give Karoo the best diet at home quickly developed into a company that has since revolutionized how pet owners think about how they feed their pets.

A Problem Every Pet Parent Faces

Growing up in households filled with pets, Jennifer and Zach observed firsthand the drawbacks of kibble-based diets. Like many pet owners, they initially fed Karoo what was considered "standard" dog food. But after learning about the long-term health risks associated with those diets, they dove into the world of fresh feeding. The change was immediate and remarkable-Karoo thrived on a fresh, homemade diet. She had a gleaming coat, excellent dental health, and stayed at an ideal weight.

But the daily effort of meal prepping fresh meals for Karoo was taxing. Both Jennifer and Zach worked 9-to-5 jobs, and each evening they'd return home exhausted, only to spend hours preparing her meals. Despite their efforts, frustration mounted. They wondered if there was a ready-made alternative that could deliver the same level of quality as their homemade meals. What they found was disappointing-most fresh food brands were either lacking transparency about their ingredients or served up unappetizing, ground, and mushy products that felt far removed from what they prepped at home.

That frustration soon turned into inspiration. If the kind of pet food they needed didn't exist, they'd create it.

Pioneering Transparency and Quality

When Jennifer and Zach launched Viva Raw, they vowed to challenge the norms of the pet food industry. The couple was passionate about not only providing nutritionally dense meals but also showing pet owners exactly what was going into their pets' bowls.

This commitment to transparency became one of Viva Raw's foundational values. This is why they developed a line of "chunked" recipes , which feature visible chunks of quality meat and vegetables, ensuring that pet parents can clearly see the cuts of meat, organs, and other ingredients their pets are eating. "We believe it's important for pet parents to feel like they're feeding their pets a meal they'd make themselves at home," Jennifer explains.

The company's sourcing practices underscore this dedication to quality. Viva Raw uses USDA-inspected, human-grade, humanely raised meat free from hormones and growth-promoting antibiotics. Their produce-organic fruits and vegetables-comes from the same farms that supply premium grocery stores. For Jennifer and Zach, cutting corners was never an option. This transparent, high-quality approach set Viva Raw apart from competitors early on.

From Fresh Feeding to a Nationwide Movement

What began as an approach to food as the cornerstone of health for just Karoo's diet grew into a brand that is now making waves in the pet food industry. Jennifer and Zach designed Viva Raw to be both a premium product and an efficient process. The team manufactures their recipes in an USDA facility where every batch of food is prepared under the same strict safety standards as human food.

But creating a product that pet parents could trust was only the beginning. To meet growing demand, Viva Raw scaled their operation while maintaining the same high standards. By processing their food in small batches, sourcing the highest quality ingredients, and offering both a ground and chunked texture, the company built a product that stood out in a crowded marketplace.

Eventually, Viva Raw expanded its offerings to meet the needs of cats as well, introducing recipes as thoughtfully crafted as those for dogs. Today, the company provides nationwide shipping, reaching more pet parents than Jennifer and Zach could have imagined at the beginning of their journey.

Reimagining Pet Food

Every step of Viva Raw's production process exemplifies the company's innovative spirit. From the moment raw ingredients arrive at the kitchen to the neatly vacuum-sealed packages ready for delivery, everything is handled with care and precision. Each machine in their kitchen has become part of a team Jennifer and Zach affectionately describe as "characters":

• Bea, the block breaker, processes raw materials into manageable chunks while maintaining their integrity.

• Connie, the conveyor, moves ingredients seamlessly into grinders.

• Gilly, the guillotine, portions the food to the perfect size and weight.

• VIV, the "Very Important Vacuum," seals the meals for freshness, preventing freezer burn.

• X-Raymond ensures every package is free of contaminants, and Mabel speeds up labeling the finished product.

These quirky nicknames are just one example of the heart and dedication embedded in Viva Raw's operations. Every detail, from ingredient selection to packaging, is carefully managed to deliver the highest quality to pets and their parents.

Changing the Dialogue Around Pet Health

When Jennifer Wu left her career as a product manager, armed with a degree in economics, she knew she was taking a risk. But every leap of faith was grounded in her passion for improving pet health. By co-founding Viva Raw, she and Zach not only addressed their frustrations as pet parents but also began reshaping the broader conversation about pet nutrition.

Viva Raw encourages its customers to think critically about what they feed their pets. With more awareness around the benefits of fresh food diets, pet parents are realizing that what's in their pet's bowl can make all the difference in their health and happiness.

Jennifer and Zach often say, "We're just pet owners, like you." This relatable honesty resonates deeply with their growing community of customers, many of whom were also searching for something better for their furry family members. Viva Raw is more than a business; it's a movement striving to make every pet healthier-and every parent prouder of the care they provide.

A Fresh Take for a Better Future

Viva Raw's story demonstrates the impactful change that can come from solving a personal problem with passion and purpose. Jennifer and Zach's dedication to transparency, quality, and innovation has driven Viva Raw from a kitchen project for Karoo to a trusted choice for pet parents across the country.

It all begins with a simple premise-your pet deserves better. And Viva Raw delivers, one freshly made, nutrient-packed meal at a time. To learn more visit: https://vivarawpets.com/

CONTACT:

Email: info@vivarawpets.com

SOURCE: Viva Raw