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Red Dog Blue Kat Team Photo

Meet Our Pack

Behind every Red Dog Blue Kat meal is a community of 50+ animal lovers working together in our state-of-the-art kitchen in Port Coquitlam, B.C. We care for our pets the same way you care for yours, and that dedication goes into every recipe we create. Here are a few of the experts who bring that commitment to life every day.

Our Experts in Veterinary Nutrition, Food Safety, and Pet Wellness

Inna Shekhtman, Founder of Red Dog Blue Kat, smiling with her rescue dog Molly in a Port Coquitlam park — representing RDBK’s commitment to raw pet food, transparency, and pet wellness.

Inna Shekhtman

Founder, Red Dog Blue Kat

Inna founded Red Dog Blue Kat in 2003 after rescuing an Irish Wolfhound/Great Dane mix named Adhara, which inspired her mission to make safe, minimally processed raw food more accessible for pets. With a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta and a background as a software developer, she brings analytical and science-driven expertise to every part of RDBK’s operations.

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Under her leadership, RDBK has grown into one of Canada’s leading raw pet food brands, recognized for its unwavering commitment to quality, nutrition, and food safety. Inna's story and vision were featured in Food in Canada’s “Raw Revolution”, highlighting her impact on advancing transparency and standards in the pet food industry.

 

Outside of work, Inna lives in Coquitlam, B.C., balancing life with her two children and rescue dog, Molly, who keep her grounded and inspired.​​

Dr. Jules Mantler, Veterinary Nutrition Advisor at Red Dog Blue Kat, smiling in her veterinary uniform while holding her Jack Russell Terrier — expert in raw pet food, holistic care, and animal nutrition.

Dr. Julianne Mantler, BSc(Ag), BSc(Vet Biol), BVMS

Veterinary Nutrition Advisor, Red Dog Blue Kat

Dr. Jules Mantler, a Mount Pleasant, B.C. native, developed a passion for raw and natural pet food long before graduating from veterinary school in Perth, Western Australia, in 2005. With over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine, she specializes in preventive health, raw-specific animal nutrition, and holistic care.

 

At Red Dog Blue Kat, Jules supports product formulation, customer education, and nutritional guidance through resources like our Free Feeding Guide and Ask Dr. Jules. She also shares her expertise at events such as Pet Expo, where she speaks on holistic veterinary care.

 

Outside of her role at RDBK, Jules has spent more than 16 years in clinical veterinary practice, opened her own holistic care clinic in 2013, and holds certifications in both animal chiropractic and natural animal nutrition, recognized by CIVT.

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Maggie Yang, Microbiologist and Food Safety Specialist at Red Dog Blue Kat, wearing PPE inside the Port Coquitlam manufacturing facility and holding a HACCP verification certificate — ensuring pet food safety and quality through testing and compliance.

Maggie Yang

Microbiology & Quality Assurance, Red Dog Blue Kat

Maggie holds a Bachelor of Science in Animal Health from the University of Alberta and began her career as a lab technician at UBC’s Brain Health Centre, where she gained hands-on experience in microbiological testing and quality control. She has since built expertise across industries including food production, agriculture, and nutrition, specializing in compliance with HACCP, FSMA, SFCA, GFSI, and SQF standards.

 

At Red Dog Blue Kat, Maggie leads our Verification and Testing program, the cornerstone of our HOLD and RELEASE food safety process. From ATP equipment testing and pathogen screening of every batch (Salmonella, E. coli O157, Listeria) to nutritional analysis using advanced NIR technology, she ensures every meal we produce is safe, consistent, and trusted by pet parents.

Sarah Benedickty, National Account Manager at Red Dog Blue Kat, smiling with her Chihuahua Merle outdoors — expert in pet food sales, retailer partnerships, and customer engagement across Canada.

Sarah Benedikty

National Account Manager, Red Dog Blue Kat

Sarah brings over a decade of experience in the pet food industry, with a background in business management and operations. She’s passionate about helping retailers connect pet parents with safe, healthy nutrition and works closely with our partners to ensure RDBK’s values of quality and transparency shine through in every relationship.

 

As both a seasoned professional and a dedicated pet parent, Sarah combines her industry knowledge with her personal love of pets to make raw feeding more accessible across Canada. Her work helps strengthen our retail community and ensures more families have access to the wholesome meals their pets deserve.

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Helene Maher, Lead Marketing Manager at Red Dog Blue Kat, smiling with her pet dog — passionate about transparency, pet nutrition education, and helping families make informed choices about raw feeding.

Helene Maher

Brand Manager, Red Dog Blue Kat

Helene is the voice behind Red Dog Blue Kat’s social media, emails, and advertising — and even helps ensure our packaging speaks clearly to pet parents. With a background in retail marketing and digital communications, supported by a Master of Arts degree, Helene is passionate about helping families feel confident in the choices they make for their pets.

 

At RDBK, she carries forward Inna’s vision of connecting pet parents with honest information, trusted resources, and whole food nutrition made with integrity. Her focus is on education and transparency, ensuring every pet parent has the knowledge they need to make informed, healthy choices for their furry family members.

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