Ah, South Africa – a land of unspoiled and untamed natural beauty, teeming with adventure. From Montego’s headquarters in Graaff-Reinet, a town at the heart of the famed Karoo region, we’re fortunate to have such majestic scenes right on our doorstep. In fact, these very same plains, once so rich in wildlife, inspired our Karoo Wild dog treats.

The Karoo Wild story is one of conservation, upliftment, and hope: for the region, its people, and the native antelope population. Join us as we delve into what makes our gamey morsels the best dog treats for your fur family.

Healthy Dog Treats for the Wild at Heart

Made from a wholesome blend of handpicked ingredients good enough for your own table, the star of every Karoo Wild treat is the 100% African antelope meat. We don’t cut it with traditional meats like beef or chicken, so your dog can reap the full benefits (more on that later!).

To ensure all canines, regardless of breed or age, get to enjoy a taste adventure, our wildly popular dog treats come in three distinct shapes and sizes:

• 4 oz. Training Bits: The perfect nibble for small dogs or use during training.
• 8 oz. Trail Bites: These larger bites are great for medium dogs – or bigger spoils.
• 16 oz. Sticks: As the largest in the range, these cylindrical chews are ideal for large dogs or a longer-lasting snack.

Each of the three shapes is available in three appetizing flavors, with the herbs chosen for both their taste and health benefits:

• Oregano: A natural antibiotic packed with antioxidants.
• Rosemary: Believed to boost cognitive function, this digestive aid soothes sore muscles too.
• Thyme: Another well-known digestive aid, it supports a healthy immune system and acts as a natural fungicide.

By combining our super-premium antelope with aromatic herbs and other ingredients, including sweet potato and fish oil, we’re able to offer your dog a snack that is packed with goodness – a wonderful addition to any balanced diet.

Reward. Revive. Rewild.

Yes, our healthy dog treats are perfect for training, rewarding, or simply spoiling canine companions.

But that’s not all – you can feel good about your support too. It’s true! With each purchase, you make a positive impact on the whole Karoo. That’s right: you contribute towards the livelihoods of local farmers and the sustainable management of native antelope herds while bolstering the regional economy.

 

What and where is the Karoo?

The awe-inspiring expanse of arid- to semiarid desert known as the Karoo spans the Eastern, Western, and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Altogether, it covers around 153,000 square miles, which is roughly a third of the country’s landmass.

Although water-scarce (the region’s name comes from an indigenous Koisan word translating to ‘land of thirst’), the Karoo is celebrated as a natural wonder due to its sweeping plains and great rock formations. This lack of water is evident in the unique vegetation – scrublands and succulents – and wildlife that thrives off it, including antelope species such as the springbok: South Africa’s national animal and the one that graces our Karoo Wild packaging.

What are African antelope?

Simply put, African antelope are a diverse group of even-toed herbivores from the Bovidae family and, naturally, call the African continent home. They come in various sizes, from the tiny duiker to the imposing eland. Different species also have distinct social habits, with some, like the steenbok, preferring a solitary life and others, like the sociable wildebeest, always found in herds.

Unlike members of the deer family, neither male nor female African antelope shed their horns. When their horns break clean off, they won’t grow back. However, if the antelope is still young and the break happens along the horn shaft, some regrowth is possible, but the result will likely be deformed.

Did you know? Antelope are only found in the Old World, with the most species found in Africa.

Why is antelope meat healthy?

African antelope meat, a novel protein source, is the ideal ingredient for the best dog treats. There are several reasons for this, including, but not limited to:

• High-Quality – As a lean protein, antelope offers your dog the premium nutrition it deserves to thrive.
• Low Fat – An alternative to so-called ‘ordinary’ meat sources, antelope supports your dog’s health while also delivering on taste.
• All-Natural – You won’t find any hormones or artificial enhancements in free-roaming antelope meat.
• Sustainable – When you buy our healthy dog treats, you help to maintain the ecological balance and preserve the biodiversity of the greater Karoo area.
• Nutrient-Rich – Packed with iron, B vitamins, and other vital nutrients, antelope meat supports overall canine wellness.
• Hypoallergenic – Because antelope is a less common meat, dogs with allergies to more traditional proteins have a reduced risk of adverse reactions.
• Delicious – The new taste experience and gamey flavor will have your dog going wild!

Ethically Sourced to Ensure Sustainable Dog Treats

Game farming is part of the Karoo’s history. When farmers began diversifying their traditional livestock with game animals like antelope, both the environment and economy benefited, thanks to sustainable harvesting practices. It attracted plenty of local and international interest as demand for lean, exotic meat grew. Unfortunately, a 2011 antelope meat export ban nearly collapsed the industry.

At Montego Pet Nutrition, we dream of returning our home to its former glory. Our Karoo Wild dog treats are crafted using offcuts from springbok and various other antelope – all species that are under no threat of extinction. By buying less-valued pieces of meat, we’ve been able to offer a new source of income to local farmers, supporting the regional economy.

Our Partnerships

Karoo Wild dog treats are borne from a philosophy that entwines our respect for nature with our commitment to quality – for both our customers and their pets. 

This is why we’ve proudly partnered with three dynamic South African organisations: GameSA, the Professional Culling Operators Association of South Africa (PCOASA), and the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE).

More About GameSA

A cornerstone of the industry, GameSA is committed to environmental sustainability, ethical harvesting practices, and effective wildlife management, as outlined in the Code of Practice for the Humane Harvesting of Wild Game. 

This code, which aligns with VPNs, mandates humane harvesting techniques, promotes education, supports legislative adherence to minimise the carbon footprint, and guarantees the sector’s sustainability. 

More About the Professional Culling Operators Association of South Africa (PCOASA)

This organisation is dedicated to ethical culling and harvesting in line with Section 24 of the South African Constitution’s Bill of Rights, which aims to protect the environment for present and future generations. 

It focuses on transforming and expanding South Africa’s wildlife industry, with objectives that include recognising skilled culling as a legitimate profession, advocating for natural resource conservation, and promoting sustainable culling methods. 

Through their support, Montego and Karoo Wild align with PCOASA’s mission to reinforce ethical, sustainable, and responsible wildlife industry and culling practices in South Africa. This partnership shares a commitment to ecological conservation, responsible resource management, and the health of the wildlife sector.

More About the Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE)

The Mountain Zebra Camdeboo Protected Environment (MZCPE) spans the Eastern, Western, and Northern Cape and plays a crucial role in conserving biodiversity, protecting ecosystems, and maintaining the region’s scenic beauty. 

Central to its strategy is a focus on diverse habitats, species, and ecosystems, with an innovative approach to involving landowners – who are traditionally passionate about specific species – in broader conservation projects, thus promoting a unified effort in environmental stewardship. 

Addressing both ecological and human aspects, the MZCPE emphasises the socio-economic development of local communities. The aim is not to only create new jobs but to uplift and empower farm communities, using an approach that recognises how agriculture plays a vital role in the upliftment of Karoo towns and integrates conservation with efforts to advance socio-economic structures. 

Partnerships with SANParks enhance the initiative, as SANParks provides overarching support and connects landowners with conservation and agricultural bodies.

A Brighter Conservation Future for the Karoo

These relationships signify the project’s collective achievement and the promising future of conservation in the Karoo. It is a vision strongly supported by Montego Pet Nutrition as part of their commitment to ecological projects in the region.  

Karoo Wild – Much More Than Merely a Tasty Dog Treat

To us, Karoo Wild is far more than tasty snacks for our best friends. It’s a philosophy of respecting natural resources by turning them into a top-quality product for the good of dogs, communities, and the environment.

Feel free to get in touch with any questions about Karoo Wild dog treats, our sustainability efforts, and beyond. We love hearing from you and strive to constantly improve with your feedback.