Doggie Treat Food Truck Launches In Royersford Sept. 12

ROYERSFORD, PA — It takes a dog lover to imagine that food trucks should be for dogs, too, and then to get one, and add a treat chute for sampling by canine customers.

Jill Schadler of Royersford is one of those dog lovers, so expect to see her huge blue dog treat truck around town, if you haven't already. Off The Leash will debut in Royersford neighborhoods on Saturday, Sept. 12.

The founder and owner of Off The Leash has launched the dog treat business and in the process connects with people to facilitate dog rescues.

Schadler told Patch how she got found her way into the business and the rescue work. She said as the food truck craze was happening, "I saw people outside loving the atmosphere but many with their dogs got me thinking how great it would be if the pups could have a treat, too."

"I was raised by a small business father, and I thought why not take a concept and make a business of it?" She realized that she had a great idea, but lacked the experience to make the treats.

Canine Acres Bakery in Boyertown and Piggyback Treat Company, based in Philadelphia, were the partners Off The Leash needed. "I found partners who share my passion for local sourcing and social responsibility," Schadler said. Both businesses are run by former chefs, she said.

Piggyback Treat Company makes "sustainably crafted goodies for pets" on its "mission to reduce food waste. Using food waste that occurs on small farms, the company might, for example, dehydrated salmon skins that would be tossed. Repurposed for dog treats, what was food waste can be enjoyed by dogs.

"I can't wait to hear stories about where the dogs came from, seeing the different breeds and knowing they are getting truly healthy chef-inspired treats," Schadler said.

Part of the mission of Off The Leash is also to disperse information about pet adoption and rescue. She hopes word will spread as the blue food truck travels, and that she'll receive invites to adoption events.

"I am entrenched in education about dog rescue and the truck provides another platform to reinforce this message. I want people to spread the word about rescue and adoption.

Schadler said that once her business becomes profitable, portions of profits will be donated back into the dog community, including local shelters and rescues.

To get business moving, first-time customers with rescue dogs will get a 5 percent discount. Off The Leash will also give a standing 10 percent discount to veterans.

"While dogs have been in my life since childhood, the passion kicked in when our family began to foster dogs in 2014," explained Schadler. While providing a place for animals to rest for a few days until adoption turned her family into a foster family to many dogs.

"After adopting our own Pit bull we began to advocate for the breed as well as to show that all shelter dogs can be the best family dogs out there," she said.

Today Schadler and her family rescue, foster, adopt out, donate money and help with transports.

"Don’t be surprised if one of our fosters shows up on the truck every now and again," she said. They might be standing by the sample treat chute.

"Why buy treats at the big box pet store when healthy local treats can come right to you?" Schadler asked.

She hopes someday to have multiple trucks, but for now, it's one blue truck making its debut on Saturday, Sept. 12, cruising neighborhoods, and on Sunday appearing at Pups in the Park in Macungie.

Events and information can be found at www.offtheleashdogtruck.com.