Some of the best ideas are inspired by small things. For Downers Grove North senior, and founder of Ava’s Pet Palace, Ava Dorsey, that small beginning was a little orange tabby cat. “I was two years old when my parents adopted Pumpkin,” said Dorsey. “He was the first animal I ever had and the inspiration for the business.”

That was more than a decade ago. “I remember drawing some pictures of a pet business I wanted to start when I was about six years old,” Dorsey recalled. Two years and many conversations later, Dorsey, with the help of her parents, Ina and Michael Jones, launched their first product – cat treats, under a product line named Ava’s Pet Palace (APP) with Pumpkin as their taste tester. Over the years, those first-grade sketches have morphed into something much bigger.

While APP initially catered to cats, they quickly pivoted to dog biscuits. Flavors such as Cheeze Pleeze Bites, Peanutty Paw Cookies, and Ava’s Bingos (an oat and banana medley) – her earliest products – became the cornerstone of what has become a wildly successful business.

Like many home businesses, Etsy was APP’s first sales platform in addition to local craft shows. The company entered the retail scene through Bentley’s Pet Stuff. Bentley’s tried the line of treats in three stores. “It was someone we knew that had a store that sold doggy items,” Dorsey said. “I actually remember meeting with them. We were so excited and grateful for that opportunity.”

Fast forward nine years to now, and you will find APP products in about 500 stores nationwide. And they’re constantly growing and adding new locations.

Despite how young she was at the outset, Dorsey remembered her impatience in expanding the business. They took it slow, however, at the behest of parents Michael and Ina, as the enterprise found its footing. “We didn’t know much about the shelf life of the treats at first,” Dorsey said. “It took time to learn and was all very new to us. Looking back, it was a good idea to expand slowly.”

The business grew gradually until one day in 2020. “All of a sudden, it was like we just blew up, and in one day, we had more than 2000 orders!” Dorsey remembered. “We kind of had to scramble! My grandfather, Eugene, sometimes helps us out, but we had to recruit other family and friends to lend us a hand through that period. We were crazy busy!”

It made the family realize that the time had come to partner with larger manufacturers. Up to then, all products were baked in their home kitchen using a standard mixer and oven. These days, only one cat treat is still made in the house. The rest are produced with the help of three co-manufacturers with whom the family became acquainted at pet industry shows. This shift has grown the business considerably and has ushered in the possibility to focus on the wholesale side.

“We quickly learned the importance of building strong relationships with people who align with our values,” said Dorsey. “It took a while to find the right producers, but we knew them when we met them.” These days, treats are made, packaged, and sent by pallet to a warehouse where APP rents space. Product fulfillment is done from their home.

Despite their considerable growth, however, APP is still primarily a family affair. Ina works full-time in the business and is therefore able to handle day-to-day operations for the endeavor. “I’m still in school, so I can’t give my business all the time I would like to give it just yet,” said Dorsey. “I love summer because that’s when I can work and be involved full-time.”

When asked how the trio comes up with recipe ideas, Dorsey relayed that they enlist the help of those with more experience in the field. For example, when mulling over flavors for their line of freeze-dried treats, they worked with a nutritionist and a veterinarian to gain advice on foods that not only pair well together but also offer health benefits. This is a group that is very picky about their ingredients, as well. The salmon and kale flavored cat treat is made with wild-caught Alaskan fish, which APP has shipped down from a family fishing business in Sitka.

The next line of products in the making are liquid cat treats. “Over the years, we’ve learned that texture is very important to cats,” Dorsey knows. “If it’s not the right texture, a cat won’t eat it, so that’s why we’re looking into making the line in liquid packets.”

New product development has been a learning experience for all three family members. Lately, much time has been spent developing their line of raw treats. “We have quite a few supporters who prefer their pets to eat raw. Others just want a single ingredient treat about which they feel good,” said Dorsey. “That’s what drove us to develop our most recent line.”
Dorsey definitely plans to give APP her all after graduation. She has big plans to grow this business, as soon as time allows. In addition to her line of dog and cat treats, APP offers several accessories and toys for fur babies, as well as a few dozen fun swag items for humans too.

Dorsey’s vision is to add more products that will eventually increase the branches of the business. “I’m not exactly sure what that will look like just yet, but I know I definitely want to expand,” she said. “I like the entrepreneurial path, and this business has helped me learn so much.”

To shop for healthy pet treats and fun merch, visit AvasPetPalace.com

The company started with cat treats but has evolved over time to include multiple product lines

Ava Dorsey’s idea from first grade has become a successful reality.

Ava’s Pet Palace is a family affair with Michael, Ina, Ava Dorsey, and Ava’s grandfather, Eugene, who are helping the business grow.

Michael, Ava and Ina Dorsey