Bil-Jac Foods By Debbie Eisele

Gift Shop Pets interviewed Kim Gaebelein, senior marketing director of Bil-Jac Foods to discuss how its association with America’s VetDogs is helping veterans. Here is what she shared.

What is your mission?

Bil-Jac is a family-owned and operated company founded by Bill and Jack Kelly more than 72 years ago when they came out of the service after World War II. Offering a full line of Super Premium Dog Foods, Dog Treats and nutritional enhancers, Bil-Jac is committed to feeding dogs to help them thrive at every stage of life. Dog food is not only Bil-Jac’s business – it’s our passion. We are proud to be associated with America’s VetDogs and helping those who have served our country through the love and assistance of service dogs. We hope that through the sales of America’s VetDogs Treats, more people become aware of America’s VetDogs and the outstanding work they do.

The mission of America’s VetDogs, an assistance dog school, is to help those who have served our country honorably to once again live with pride and self-reliance. America’s VetDogs trains service dogs to perform tasks to help mitigate an individual’s disabilities, thereby providing enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first-responders with disabilities. In addition to physical tasks, a service dog also provides the motivation for disabled veterans to tackle new challenges.

How does your product serve the mission?

We give back in our communities in many ways but partnering with America’s VetDogs has provided us with an opportunity that truly feels like a natural extension of Bil-Jac. By developing a unique super premium treat for America’s VetDogs, we are able to offer an easy, tasty way dog parents can help support the America’s VetDogs mission. America’s VetDogs Treats are made from real chicken and specially formulated to help keep your dog’s skin and coat, soft and shiny. 

Each bag helps to make a difference in the lives of America’s military heroes. We have been thrilled to hear dog parents tell us how much they love the America’s VetDogs Treats. Their dogs are excited to eat them and they like that the treats provide support for veterans with disabilities. In fact, in the last five years, we have donated more than a half-million dollars to the organization.

What are the plans for the future?

We are always looking for more ways to sell America’s VetDogs Treats and spread the word on the life-changing work they do, because we wholeheartedly believe in the organization’s mission. The more treats that are sold, the greater our opportunity to support veterans with disabilities.

Bil-Jac has been – and always will be – solely focused on providing the very best nutrition for dogs.  Founders, Bill and Jack’s goal was never to be the biggest pet food manufacturer. It was to provide the best nutrition for dogs and their specific needs. It is our hope that we continue our partnership with America’s VetDogs for many years to come, because that means we will be helping veterans and first responders do more of what they love to do, with the help of their amazing service dogs.

How can retailers get involved?

Selling America’s VetDogs Treats is one of the easiest ways to be involved with organization since every treat purchase helps provide assistance dogs to disabled veterans and first responders. For more information on programs treat purchases support, and how to donate directly to support America’s VetDogs, visit vetdogs.org. 

For more information, visit www.biljac.com.

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Selling America’s VetDogs Treats is one way retailers can help organizations provide assistance dogs to disabled veterans and first responders.

Debbie Eisele

Debbie Eisele is the former managing editor for Gift Shop Plus, Stationery Trends and a variety of special issue publications, including: The Guide, Holiday Shop, Celebrations & Occasions and Waterfront Living.