Hispanic Heritage Monthopens in a new tab celebrates the history and culture of Hispanic and Latinx communities. The month encompasses cultures across the globe, with celebrated communities including people in Spain, the Caribbean, South America, Central America, and North America. Hispanic Heritage Month, which lasts from September 15 through October 15, is a great reminder that we should be celebrating these communities all year — not just for four weeks. And, while these cultures share plenty in common, they also stand in stark contrast to one another, with each community having a history and contribution all their own.
But one distinct commonality between these cultures is a deep and storied reverence for their pets. By percentage, Hispanic and Latinx countries dominate when it comes to pet parenthood: Sixty-six percent of the population in Argentina identifies as dog parents, with Mexico trailing close behind at 64 percent, and Brazil at 58 percent, per German market research group GfKopens in a new tab.
To celebrate the cultures that celebrate our pets, we’ve compiled a list of our favorite Latinx and Hispanic-owned small businesses that you should support every month of the year.
Wild Earth is a pioneering dog food brand that stands at the forefront of innovation in the pet food industry. Founded with a vision to revolutionize the way we nourish our pups, Wild Earth (with a little help from Mark Cubanopens in a new tab) has made a significant mark on the pet care industry with its commitment to sustainability, health, and compassion for animals.
At the heart of Wild Earth’s mission is the dedication to crafting high-quality, plant-based dog food. Their meticulously formulated recipes prioritize the health and wellbeing of pets while also minimizing the environmental impact. Their innovative approach is driven by a profound love for animals, and they aim to redefine the standards of pet nutrition by offering plant-based nutrition.
Bundle x Joyopens in a new tab is a treat and supplement brand founded by Jess Berger. “As a first generation American Latina, Jess asked herself what it would look like to create a pet company where women could come together and lean on each other to create a diverse network of purpose-driven partnerships to serve pet people today,” the brand’s site readsopens in a new tab.
From there, Berger created a one-stop shop for treats and supplements — each geared to your pet’s specific needs. If that weren’t enough, Bundle x Joy also opened a “Joy Shop”opens in a new tab where pet parents can peruse a curated selection of pastel leashes and toys (plus, a scrunchie and sticker pack for them) that will make any Instagram photo pop.
Chelsea Rivera founded CBD pet company Honest Paws to help her own pup, Baby Rose, who was suffering from “a debilitating condition.”
Rivera shares her story opens in a new taband frustration on the Honest Paws website: “The veterinarian offered to write her a prescription. But, he also warned me that Baby Rose would be pretty lethargic from now on. And the kicker? Side effects aside, the medication was not guaranteed to work. Now, I am a fan of modern medicine but this didn’t sound like something I wanted to put my sweet girl through.”
After researching, Rivera started Baby Rose on a strict CBD regimenopens in a new tab. To her surprise, the CBD not only caused Baby Rose’s condition to disappear, it actually improved her mobility. To help other pet parents, Rivera founded Honest Paws, where pet parents can shop for CBD products made just for their pets.
At Salvage Maria, sustainability and heritage are the hallmarks of these handcrafted pet textile products. To create their beds, blankets, and other textile accessories, Salvage Maria works with Mexican artisans to create handwoven textiles that feature distinct cultural designs and techniques. Founder Janessa Maria drew upon her Zapotec heritage when building the brand. Her mother, Maria, sources textiles from and creates direct relationships with artisans in Mexico.
Even better: Salvage Maria is committed to sustainable crafting, writing on their websiteopens in a new tab: “Our fabrics and textiles are globally inspired and we use dead stock and salvaged materials within our designs. Nothing goes to waste; every scrap and remnant is saved for future inspiration!”
Monro Pets was founded opens in a new tabby Christen, Jose, and Ricardo, a group of friends with a passion for their pets. Together, the friends designed and launched their own line of leashes, collars, and bandanas — all of which feature bright patterns and/or cheeky phrases. In addition to their adorable look, their products are designed with durability and comfort in mind. In fact, their collars feature a unique padding that our pets are sure to appreciate.
Rebecca Caplan is a writer based in Brooklyn whose work has been featured in The New Yorker, Reductress, and Vulture. She lives in Brooklyn with her perfect, toothless dog Moose.
