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The Disturbing Backstory to Going Plastic-Free with My Dog Treat Business
*Warning: Content may upset some viewers
As a veterinarian starting BarkyBakey, an organic dog treat baking mix, I knew I had to use plastic-free packaging.
And here’s why…
A Call That Changed Everything
“Minnie, I’ve got a turtle that needs help, I’m coming your way,” crackled the voice on the radio just as our team of volunteers was about to wrap up morning duties at the Marine Turtle Rescue Centre of the Olive Ridley Project. Little did I know that this call would not only change the fate of a sea turtle but also shape the future of my own business.
The Heat of the Day, the Rush to the Jetty
It was a typical April morning in the Maldives, and the tropical heat was relentless, making the task of cleaning and fixing the rescue centre a never-ending chore. But today, we were all relieved for a change of activity. Barefoot and ready, we rushed to the jetty just in time to see the boat approaching.
The Rescue: Abba’s Fight for Survival
Abbas, the Maldivian guide who had radioed in, had spotted a large Olive Ridley sea turtle floating helplessly in the ocean, entangled in a floating mess of fishing line and nets. As the boat neared the dock, we jumped on board. I turned the corner of the deck, and there he was on the ground. The sea turtle’s massive flippers were tightly bound by thick ropes, the netting cutting into his flesh and exposing bone.
The large male turtle, later named Abba after his rescuer, had likely been trapped for weeks. His injuries were severe—his front flippers were so constricted the ropes were now grinding against his bones. Another week or two in that floating prison, and he would have lost them, sealing his fate.
“Minnie, I’ve got a turtle that needs help, I’m coming your way”
The Long Road to Recovery
Back at the clinic, the team went to work. Abba was severely dehydrated, and the first step was to administer fluids. After initial triage and wound care, we placed him in a hospital tank to start his long journey toward recovery.
For the first week, he refused to eat, but with surgery, pain relief, antibiotics, and careful wound care, he began to improve. Slowly, Abba started swimming and even diving—a promising sign. Many turtles caught in ghost nets suffer from buoyancy problems due to air trapped under their shells, often caused by lung injuries during their desperate struggle for freedom.
By the third week, Abba had regained much of his strength. He was becoming wilder, more spirited, and his wounds were healing. The once-exposed bones were now covered with healthy tissue.
It seemed that Abba would get to keep his flippers after all.
Ghost nets kill millions of animals every year. These disused, lost or damaged fishing gear floats at sea for years or even decades as the plastic in them does not degrade within our lifetime. Ironically, nets such as these do not even occur in the Maldives - Abba was entangled in another countries waters, highlighting how we are all connected
Left to right: 1- Bones in the ghost net: others were not so lucky. 2- Abba gaining strength and finally eating! 3- Signs of Abba's struggle.
A Successful Release: Abba Goes Home
Necessity truly is the mother of invention. We used honey for his wounds and even had to get creative by using textbooks to elevate the horizontal X-ray beam to get a clear view of Abba’s lungs. But all our efforts paid off.
When it was finally time to release him, there was a sudden and dramatic change in his behaviour—once he got a whiff of the open sea, there was no stopping him!
Despite what was likely the first time being on land since he hatched some 30-100+ years ago (we can only guess the age of this old mariner!), he knew it was time to go home. The massive sea turtle furiously rowed with his front flippers to get under the water, then disappeared under the waves and into the deep blue.
We all hoped that Abba would at last make his way back to the coasts of India, where he was destined to breed and produce many more of his endangered kind.
"Once he got a whiff of the open sea, there was no stopping him!”
How Abba’s Story Changed My Perspective
Abba’s story is unique: he was one of the lucky ones. It’s also a stark reminder of the extensive and often overlooked problem of ocean plastics. Ghost nets—abandoned or discarded fishing gear—are responsible for the deaths of millions of marine animals each year. The scale of this issue is both surprising and heartbreaking, and it was a reality I was largely unaware of until my time in the Maldives.
Witnessing the devastating impact of ocean plastics firsthand changed how I see our place in this world. I went to the Maldives to learn about turtle medicine, but I returned with a mission to do better in every aspect of my life, including my business.
A Deeper Commitment: Sustainability at BarkyBakey
When I founded BarkyBakey, I knew I had to do more than just help owners create premium organic dog treats. As a small animal & wildlife vet, I've witnessed the devastating impact of our actions on nature, from deforestation and wildfires to ocean plastics harming marine life. I wanted to make sure that my work wouldn’t contribute to these major problems we all face.
I believe it's important for each of us to try and make this world a better place, in our own small and unique way. My goal wasn’t just to produce high-quality treats, but also to help nurture the important bonds we share with our dogs, even in our busy lives. After all, life is about the connections we build—with each other, our pets, and the world around us—which is why our packaging is plastic-free and compostable.
Abba’s journey inspired me to create a company that stands for something more. While we might not be able to save every turtle, we can all make choices that contribute to a healthier, cleaner world for our pets, our families, and the living creatures that call this planet home.
“I went to the Maldives to learn about turtle medicine, but I returned with a mission to do better in every aspect of my life, including my business. ”
Supporting a Larger Cause
Abba was one of the lucky ones. Thanks to organisations like the Olive Ridley Project, some of these impacted animals get a second chance. Since 2013, they’ve removed over 5 tons of ghost gear from the Indian Ocean and treated 150 sea turtles at their Marine Turtle Rescue Centre. They’re doing incredible work, and I encourage you to learn more about sea turtle conservation by visiting https://oliveridleyproject.org/.
Abba’s Story, My Lesson
In the end, every choice we make, no matter how small, has the potential to create a ripple effect.
Whether it’s choosing better packaging, spending quality time with our pets, or simply picking up a piece of litter, we all have a role to play in making this world a better place.
As it did for me, I hope Abba’s story inspires you to further cherish the connections we share with our pets and with the planet. After all, it’s these small, thoughtful actions that truly make a lasting impact.
“In the end, every choice we make, no matter how small, has the potential to create a ripple effect. ”
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