Hi everyone, and welcome to our very first blog post!
We wanted to create a space where we can share updates, handy pet care tips, and behind-the-scenes stories to connect with you, our wonderful community. In June 2026, we officially turn one year old, a whole year since we turned the website on!. We figured there was no better time to finally kick off our blogging journey.
We aren't entirely sure where this road will take us, but we hope to bring you useful information, answers to your burning pet questions, updates on new product launches, local events we’re attending, and plenty of fun along the way.
So, where to start... us or the business? Well, I suppose we came first!
Meet Ryan & Jacob
My partner Jacob and I met online almost five years ago, just as the UK was emerging from the strange lockdown era. Jacob had recently moved to Buckingham after growing up in Nottinghamshire. I was already living here, having originally grown up in Peterborough, most people only know it for the passport office, but I promise I can think of at least two other great things about it!.
When we met, it didn’t take long to hit it off. Jacob brought balance and brains to my otherwise chaotic mind, and I brought common sense and sarcasm. Since then, we’ve bought our first home together and tackled plenty of DIY projects. We quickly discovered there are many jobs you can save money on by doing yourself... and just as many where I had to buy all the tools, mess it up, and then pay a professional to fix it. (Please don't ask me to plaster your walls).
Our Lives Outside the Business
Career-wise, I started in hospitality at 15. After nine years, I joined the John Lewis Partnership, eventually transitioning into distribution, where I currently work as a training and development manager. Around the time Covid hit, I also joined the Fire Service as a retained Firefighter. I still proudly serve the local people of Buckingham and the wider county today.
Jacob’s career has been even more varied. He’s worked at a timber merchant, he can literally tell the measurements of a piece of wood just by looking at it! He’s also worked with his Dad running a coffee shop, and his mum running a coffee van. When Jacob moved to Buckingham he joined Ocado, before I quickly convinced him to join the John Lewis Partnership.
Then came the summer of 2022. Jacob had a serious horse-riding accident while... jousting. Yes, actual medieval jousting! I’m not sure there’s enough room on this blog to unpack all of that. After a period of recovery, which mostly involved him building every single Lego kit available on the John Lewis website, he transitioned into a local Waitrose Branch, where he then progressed into a leadership role. Jacob later left Waitrose and joined The University of Buckingham's Medical Faculty, where he is part of the student assessment team. If only he could bring that level of organisation home with him!
Why We Started R&J Pet Co.
Early last year, we decided we wanted to run our own business, and we immediately knew it had to involve animals. We both have an abundance of love for pets—honestly, most of the time I prefer animals to humans! During lockdown, my dog Guinness, a Labrador cross, was the absolute anchor that kept me sane. Jacob shares this passion, balancing his time with three horses, three dogs, and until recently, two pigs and two goats at his dad’s place. It was basically a trip to the zoo when I visited.
As pet parents, we loved stumbling upon unique, independent brands selling high-quality products. But we noticed a pattern: buying from three different small businesses meant paying three sets of shipping fees and waiting on multiple deliveries, why couldn't they all be together?
In a world where we’re all balancing work, families, pets, and the latest season of Bridgerton, who has time to scour the web for hours?
That’s how we envisioned R&J Pet Co. We wanted to bring these incredible independent brands together under one virtual roof for customers who care about what they feed their pets, care about the environment, and want to support small businesses rather than padding the pockets of massive corporations.
Our Three Guiding Principles
Every single item we stock is curated against three strict pillars:
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British Brands
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Products Made in the UK
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Eco-Conscious Materials & Sourcing
Ideally, we look for products that hit the trifecta. For example, we stock Scavenger, a Sheffield-based company making gorgeous dog leads out of retired climbing rope, and Muttsie dog toys, which are entirely handmade in Scotland by a lovely creator named Heather.
Sometimes we look just a little further afield for something truly special, like Pawsome Pet Toys in Latvia, who handcraft cat toys using natural rabbit fur, hemp, and beeswax, or Ochein in France, who recycle ocean plastic into durable dog bowls.
Right now, our shop has a little bit of everything—treats, toys, beds, collars, and grooming supplies. (No complete food just yet, but watch this space!).
Out and About (and Giving Back)
While we are primarily an online shop, we absolutely love packing up the car and heading out to local dog shows and craft markets. Meeting you and your dogs in person is easily the best part of the job.
If you live locally, you might have also spotted our latest project: The Dog House. It’s a self-serve treat shed perfect for grabbing a healthy snack while you’re out on a dog walk. Keep an eye on our socials for its exact location!
Finally, we believe a business should leave the world a little better than we found it. That’s why we donate a percentage of all sales to animal charities, many of which are nominated directly by you, our customers. We’ve also recently committed to planting one tree for every single Trustpilot review we receive to help do our bit for the planet.
Thank you so much for being a part of our pack over the last year. We are incredibly grateful for your support, and we can't wait to see where the next chapter takes us!
Ryan, Jacob & Guinness🐾