My Story
A Big Woofin’ Welcome to Pure Paws Dog Bakery!
Hey there, I’m Nedda – proud dog mum, car lover, foodie, pet treat connoisseur, baker extraordinaire, and the human behind Pure Paws Dog Bakery!
Back in 2017, I had a mission: to offer healthier, Australian made, all-natural alternatives to the not-so-great commercial pet treats on the market. Because let’s be real – we all love spoiling our furry besties, but no one wants the mystery ingredients that often come with commercial treats.
At the time, there weren’t many options for Australian-made, healthy pet treats, let alone fun, human-inspired ones. So, with my background in veterinary nursing, 12+ years in the animal industry, countless late-night research sessions (and way too many funny dog videos), I started baking. My friends’ dogs became my very willing taste testers, and before I knew it… Pure Paws Dog Bakery was born!
From Market Stalls to a Dream Store
The first couple of years were a whirlwind – I hit the road across VIC and NSW, attending as many markets and events as I could. Sometimes three in a single weekend! Eventually, I launched my online store and also started taking wholesale and corporate orders. Then in October 2019, I took the leap and opened a physical store in Grovedale, Geelong. Proudly Geelong’s very first Dog Bakery & Café!
Like many small businesses, the pandemic threw some unexpected challenges my way. After only having my shop doors open for 5 months, I was forced to pivot, adapt and adjust my business plan if I wanted my business to survive. I then had to make the tough decision to close my wonderful store in September 2020. But every setback is just a setup for something even better, right? In November 2020, I launched a temporary pop-up shop in Belmont whilst I kept searching for a more permanent home for Pure Paws. And in February 2021, I found the pawfect spot—an 1860s bluestone coach house on popular Pakington Street, my dream location! Nestled near the scenic Barwon River walking trail and some of Geelong’s best cafes, my little shop on Pako has been a dream come true. It's been smooth sailing ever since and I'm very much enjoying being part of the community here.
Since 2022, I’ve been even more proudly involved in the Geelong dog community by launching and running the hugely popular Geelong Dog Lovers Market! As the first event of its kind in Geelong, it’s been an incredible success—thanks to our amazing stallholders and, of course, the wonderful humans and their four-legged shopping buddies who support us. It’s a tail-wagging good time, and I love bringing together local pet lovers, businesses, and furry friends in one pawsome event!
The Treats (AKA The Real Stars of the Show!)
Today, Pure Paws is bursting with over 50+ varieties of gourmet dog and cat treats—freshly baked goodies like pupcakes, donuts, custom birthday cakes and our popular pupcups. I'm all about keeping it Aussie! I proudly stock only Australian-made treats because supporting local farmers, manufacturers, and businesses is at the heart of what I do. The shelves are packed with a wide range of delicious, natural goodies—including all sorts of edible animal body parts (yep, ears, ribs, tails—you name it!). Not only do dogs love them, but it also helps minimise waste by ensuring more of the animal is used—making it a sustainable, nose-to-tail approach to the Aussie meat and fish industry. It’s a win-win: happy pets, happy planet, and a thriving Australian pet industry!
So, if you’re looking to spoil your four-legged bestie, come say hi! Rocco (my chief taste tester) and I would love to welcome you in-store soon!