Sia Invests in Cultured Meat for Dogs and Cats
The award-winning musician and dedicated animal advocate has become an investor and advisor for Bond Pet Foods to help create a “cruelty-free future for all animals."
Credit: Sia
Grammy-nominated musician Sia has become an investor and advisor for Bond Pet Foods, an alt-protein startup working to transform the pet food industry by creating meat without relying on animal agriculture.
As a long-time animal advocate, Sia has used her platform to bring awareness to the exploitation of animals many times. More recently, the vegan singer co-narrated Dominion, an animal-rights documentary focusing on the suffering behind animal agriculture, featuring Joaquin Phoenix and Rooney Mara.
"As a devout animal and environmental advocate, I'm inspired by Bond Pet Foods' mission and believe their company is the future for sustainably-led protein in pet food," said Sia. "If America's dogs and cats were their own country, their consumption of meat products alone would rank fifth in the world. I am eager to lend my voice and support to a brand that's re-imagining a cruelty-free future for all animals."
Founded in 2017, Bond Pet Foods is re-imagining food for companion animals in more sustainable and healthy ways. The Colorado-based company uses precision fermentation to produce real cultured meat proteins without hurting or slaughtering animals. During the process, scientists encode genetic material for the desired animal protein into host organisms such as yeasts or fungi. The code is mixed with vitamins, minerals, and sugars before being placed into fermentation tanks (similar to those used to brew beer), where the animal proteins grow.
Credit: Bond Pet Foods
In the months ahead, Bond and Sia will collaborate on social, digital and product initiatives that invite the public to learn more about Bond's mission, its innovative approach to meat protein production, and inspire a new dialogue around responsible dog and cat nutrition, according to the company.
“We’re honored to welcome Sia and her deep passion for animals into the Bond family,” said Rich Kelleman, co-founder and CEO of Bond Pet Foods. “We believe her voice and creativity will help us further educate and excite the world about a new, better, more sustainable way to feed our pets.”
Last year, Bond Pet Foods announced a partnership with Hill’s Pet Nutrition, a biology-based pet nutrition company, to produce pet food formulas using fermented proteins. Together, Hill’s and Bond will develop a sustainable, nutritous alternative to one of Hill’s most popuar meat proteins for both cats and dogs.
Elsewhere, Wild Earth and Because, Animals are also working to champion new technologies to provide more sustainable ingredient solutions for pet nutrition. Wild Earth recently secured $23 million in funding to develop cultivated meat and fish. Because, Animals, first cultured meat product, Harmless Hunt Mouse Cookies for Cats, will be on the market this year.
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The footage was reportedly recorded at Marshall BioResources in North Rose, New York, where up to 22,000 dogs - mostly beagles - are being bred for animal experimentation.