Who Owns Pooch And Mutt: The Full Story Behind the UK’s Fast-Growing Pet Food Brand

Pooch & Mutt has rapidly become a household name among pet owners seeking nutritious and ethical options for their pets. But who actually owns this innovative company, and how has its ownership shaped its trajectory? Understanding the business forces and people behind Pooch & Mutt reveals how strategic partnerships and acquisitions have propelled it to the forefront of the pet food market.

Essential Highlights

Pooch & Mutt is fully owned by VAFO Group, a major Czech pet food manufacturer, as of July 2023.
VAFO was initially a minority investor, progressively increasing its stake before acquiring the remaining shares outright.
Guy Blaskey, the founder, continues to play a key leadership role as “chief visionary officer” and is part of the VAFO management team.
The acquisition has fueled significant growth: turnover, staffing, and product development have accelerated since the VAFO partnership.
Pooch & Mutt serves as the UK representative for VAFO’s manufacturing capabilities, supporting supply to major retailers.
The company remains committed to sustainability and innovation in pet nutrition.

Ownership Timeline: From Startup to Acquisition
About VAFO Group: The New Parent Company
Leadership & Structure After the Acquisition
Impact on Products, Ethics, and Growth
Links to More Information
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Pooch & Mutt Ownership

Ownership Timeline: From Startup to Acquisition

Pooch & Mutt was founded in 2007 by Guy Blaskey in London. Originally focused on dog health supplements, the brand expanded into a full range of foods and treats known for their high quality and clever integration of supplements[3].

In 2020, the company received a strategic investment from VAFO Group, which took an initial minority share. VAFO—already a long-time manufacturing partner—provided funding and manufacturing capabilities to accelerate Pooch & Mutt’s UK growth[1][3].
By 2022, VAFO had increased its stake to 40%[2].
On July 11, 2023, VAFO Group acquired the remaining 60% to take full ownership of Pooch & Mutt[2][4][6][7].

This multi-million pound deal reflects a shared vision for quality and sustainability, rather than cost-cutting or restructuring.

Learn more about ownership changes at Who Owns UK

About VAFO Group: The New Parent Company

VAFO Group is a leading Czech manufacturer of premium and super-premium pet food, controlling an extensive range of brands and supplying retailers across Europe and beyond[3].

Owned by the Bouska family, with Pavel Bouska as CEO, VAFO operates eight factories in several countries, including the Czech Republic, Finland, and Estonia[3].
Annual sales for VAFO are substantial—higher than the combined turnover of the three largest UK pet food brands[3].
VAFO’s flagship brands include Brit, Carnilove, Prima, Nutrican, and Profine, and it also provides private-label manufacturing for large pet retailers across Europe[2][3].

VAFO’s acquisition of Pooch & Mutt marks its growing direct presence in the UK and leverages Pooch & Mutt as its representative for manufacturing in the region[4].

Find more details at Who Owns.

Leadership & Structure After the Acquisition

Guy Blaskey, Pooch & Mutt’s founder, continues as chief visionary officer and sits on the VAFO management team[2]. His strategic role bridges Pooch & Mutt’s innovative, ethical ethos with VAFO’s global scale.

Day-to-day operations are led by Paul Dennison, managing director since 2022[2].
The combined team has expanded staff capacity threefold and quadrupled turnover, underscoring the success of the acquisition[4].

This structure ensures that Pooch & Mutt retains its startup energy and ethical foundation while benefiting from VAFO’s resources and expertise.

Impact on Products, Ethics, and Growth

Since joining VAFO, Pooch & Mutt has experienced exponential growth and expansion.

Turnover is projected to hit £18 million in 2023, reflecting more than 400% growth in recent years[2].
The brand has broadened its product range, including launching “Planet Pet Society”—a new line focused on sustainability and using second-chance ingredients[2].
Ethics and quality remain central: Pooch & Mutt’s products are developed with a strong stance on nutrition, sustainability, and animal welfare[1][2].

The acquisition allows Pooch & Mutt to leverage VAFO’s cutting-edge manufacturing and distribution networks, making its ethical, innovation-driven products more widely available.

For more about company ethos and achievements, see Pooch & Mutt’s official blog.

Links to More Information

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions About Pooch & Mutt Ownership

Who owns Pooch & Mutt now?
Pooch & Mutt is 100% owned by VAFO Group, a major European pet food manufacturer, following a full acquisition in July 2023[2][6][7].

Did Guy Blaskey sell Pooch & Mutt?
Yes, Guy Blaskey sold his remaining shares as part of the acquisition by VAFO Group but remains involved as chief visionary officer and a VAFO management team member[2].

What is VAFO Group?
VAFO Group is a leading pet food producer based in the Czech Republic, supplying premium and super-premium brands across Europe and operating eight production facilities[3].

Will Pooch & Mutt’s products or ethics change under VAFO?
The acquisition is described as a partnership, not a cost-cutting exercise; core ethics, quality, and innovation remain central, with added scale and capabilities from VAFO[1][2].

Where are Pooch & Mutt products made?
With VAFO’s manufacturing expertise, products are now produced using some of Europe’s most advanced pet food facilities[2][3].

How can I verify business details or ownership?
Official company filings are available via Companies House and detailed corporate updates via Who Owns.

Is Pooch & Mutt still UK-based?
Yes, the brand maintains its London base while representing VAFO’s interests and operations in the UK market[4].

For more in-depth company ownership insights, visit Who Owns.

Who Owns Pooch And Mutt