At ‘Hartz Desire’, our story didn’t begin in a boardroom or a factory, but in the quiet corners of a loving home, surrounded by wagging tails and a strong bond between humans and our furry companions. We represent ‘Hartz Desire’, a passionate advocate for real food, good living, and the simple joys that come from nurturing our loved ones – both two-legged and four-legged.

Like many pet owners, I believed I was doing everything right. I spared no expense on what the labels promised were the “BEST” premium dog foods, filled with glossy marketing claims of nutrition and care.

Check out some videos I found useful:

https://youtu.be/7E5-NkGJM9w?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/WpMc6-dMd_A?si=qJ7YgcEe94nAoTfr

Https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKxkm-dTnNN/?igsh=MXZnbzVrZ2JodWc1cq==https://youtu.be/4SP2ZD_hlnA?feature=shared

https://youtu.be/jR0G5b1vaa0?feature=shared

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJQoYzvR6Bm/?igsh=MTJ2bnFidXRoenJwbQ==

https://youtube.com/shorts/KT3AtESmx1o?feature=shared

But then, came the unimaginable: I lost my beloved fur babies to cancer. The
grief was overwhelming, and it sparked a burning question – “Why?” What were we feeding them? And, by extension, what are we feeding ourselves and our families every day? Driven by heartache, I looked into what these popular pet food companies were putting into their products.

What I discovered shocked me to my core: hidden chemicals, preservatives, excessive sugars and salts, and ingredients far removed from anything natural. It wasn’t just the artificially added ingredients; it was the processing of a range of animals and body parts in the pet food that made me think: what are our pets eating? Furthermore, it wasn’t just pet food; it mirrored many of the processed foods found in human diets, too. Dishonest marketing was everywhere, masking the truth behind the shiny packaging. I realised that we had strayed so far from the wisdom of our ancestors, who thrived on slow, simple lives fuelled by real, wholesome foods straight from Mother Earth: no additives, no shortcuts, just pure healthy meals and nourishment.

That revelation ignited a fire in me. I couldn’t watch families unknowingly repeat the same
mistakes. So, I rolled up my sleeves and started from scratch, quite literally, in my small kitchen. Drawing on the pristine, high-quality ingredients of New Zealand, I would only use fresh meat and vegetables, and wholesome grains.
I started making homemade meals and treats for my “four-legged grandchildren”. No additives, no preservatives, no added sugars or salts. In other words, no nasty artificial ingredients. Just real, human-grade food that I would happily eat myself, because if it’s not good enough for us, it’s not good enough for them. What began as a personal mission soon blossomed into something bigger. I realised that many people shared my desire to feed their pets and families with good quality food. We believed that by embracing the care and honesty practised by our ancestors, returning to a slower, more natural way of life, and by preparing home-cooked meals with transparent sourcing, we could offer the peace of mind that comes from knowing every bite is filled with love and nothing else.

Today, ‘Hartz Desire’ is more than just a pet food business; it’s a movement towards a better way of living for us and our pets. We have created nutrient-rich, delicious meals and treats tailored for dogs (that people can also eat), using only the finest New Zealand-sourced ingredients. Our promise is simple: joy in the taste of every meal, and health that lasts a lifetime. Because our pets are not just animals; they are our family. And family deserves the very best. Join us on this journey back to good, healthy living. Begin by feeding our loved ones great food the way nature intended, one wholesome bite at a time.