Locally owned Barkaroo Bakery's products can be purchased in pet stores all over Hawai'i.

Barkaroo Bakery had a very simple beginning. In the '90s, animal lover and Kaua'i resident Jan Woo had pets that were under veterinary care and needed special diets. She found that most pet foods were made with preservatives and meat by-products and were artificially colored.

Woo, who has a culinary background, decided to experiment with her own recipes. Her daughters gave her Christmas bone-shaped cookie cutters and that encouraged her to make doggie treats for friends. Those gifts were well received, and Barkaroo Bakery was born in 1999.

With input from veterinarians, breeders and pet lovers, Barkaroo Bakery has been churning out healthy treats for cats and dogs. "Out of our simple love of animals has grown a flourishing nationwide business that teams pet health and nutrition with good animal stewardship," says Woo.

Woo has tried numerous recipe combinations to make her tasty treats and is still testing recipes today in her certified kitchen on the east side of Kaua'i.

All produce is purchased locally and many of the herbs are grown in Woo's garden. Only natural ingredients are used: no salt, sugar, chocolate or unnecessary fats. Woo uses chicken, oatmeal, salmon, liver and beef in traditional treats. For variety, she incorporates coconut, bananas, guava, pineapple and mango in tropical treats along with taro and Okinawan sweet potato.

Barkaroo Bakery also caters to cats. Shrimp, chicken, salmon and liver are used to make kitty treats yummy. The treats are fish-shaped, making them extra appealing.

Adding to the fun, Barkaroo's specialty items come in special shapes such as sushi, shrimp tails, pizzas, hot dogs and tacos.

"Our products are safe, nutritious and look appealing to humans and pets," says Woo. "To maintain freshness and quality in all of our products, we keep nothing in stock, and every item is made to order."

Barkaroo Bakery's taste testers are the neighborhood pets, the residents at the Kauai Humane Society and the Woos' own pets. She has a schnauzer named Kila Kila.

Barkaroo Bakery is a family-owned business. Woo's husband, Don, is a graphic artist who used to work for Disney, Sony and Atari. He designs all the packaging. Their daughters and extended family's support have helped Barkaroo Bakery grow to what it is today.

Several years ago, the bakery expanded to include pet accessories: bandannas, aloha shirts, T-shirts, and doggy beds are now available in tropical prints, specially made for local pets.

You can buy Barkaroo treats at local pet stores and online at www.barkaroobakery.com.

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 18 years, or 133 in dog years. Check out her blog at http://HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.