How Keen Pets started

I’ve always had animals in my life. Growing up on a farm meant I was never without a furry, or four-legged friend nearby.

My first best friend was a gentle Cocker Spaniel, the calmest, most patient dog. He let me tug on his ears, poke his eyes, and climb all over him when I was barely two years old, never once showing an ounce of aggression. He was simply love in fur.

Life on the farm meant there were always creatures to care for. That early bond with animals never left me.

Years later, when I started working and moved into my own place, I decided to get a black Cocker Spaniel of my own. That’s when Leila came into my life.

She was small, shiny, and full of mischief. As she grew, I realised she was a bit longer than she should be; it turned out Leila had a touch of Basset in her. It made her unique, and I loved her even more.

One day, friends came to visit and brought their puppy along. Without hesitation, Leila picked up the little one, carried it gently to the grass, and began licking it, instinctively mothering it as if it were her own.

That moment revealed who she truly was: a natural caregiver.

Soon after, I began fostering kittens and puppies, and Leila became the heart of it all. She cleaned them, guarded them, and slept beside them. She mothered everything: kittens, puppies, chicks, keets (baby guineafowl), and even a tiny Woodland Dormouse.

At one point, I had both the Dormouse and a newborn kitten I was asked to foster. He was just one day old and without a mother. Naturally, I named them Tom and Jerry. And of course, Leila raised them both. Today, Tom still lives with me, proud, spoiled, and absolutely king of his castle.

As Leila got older, she began struggling with her joints and back. Vet visits became frequent, and the bills started to climb. I adjusted her diet, bought supplements, and did everything I could to keep her comfortable. Then one day, I noticed a lump on her face.

After tests and a biopsy, I got the news no pet parent ever wants to hear: an aggressive cancer. Within two weeks, it had spread, and I had to make the hardest decision of my life. My Leila went peacefully to doggy heaven.

Losing her broke my heart, but she also became the reason Keen Pets was born.

During Covid, when so many people were struggling, I realised how expensive it had become to give our pets the care they deserve. I wanted to make that easier and to build something that could help others provide their animals with the same love and quality of care Leila had.

That’s how Keen Pets began: out of love, loss, and the belief that caring for our pets should never be out of reach. We launched the site in late 2024, and we’re still growing, expanding our range, and staying true to our goal to make pet care affordable, accessible, and filled with heart.