Rachael Ray Shares the Love

Pet Projects

By Jordan Staggs

As the holiday season rolls around each year, many people begin to count their blessings of family, friends, great food, and time together. Time spent gathered around a table with those we love can produce lifelong memories and traditions, both new and old. For Rachael Ray, who millions know as the host of several hit cooking television series and talk shows, the holidays are also a time to share gratitude for our other family members—the ones with four legs and fur. A longtime dog lover, Ray and her husband, John Cusimano, will be celebrating the holidays with their rescue pit bull mix, Bella Boo Blue, this year while also helping animals around North America find loving homes.

“I’ve been an animal lover for as long as I can remember,” Ray shares. “Animals have always been a big part of the family, never just pets. My dogs have been a constant source of comfort and joy for me, so it’s no surprise they’ve been such a big part of my adult life, too.” She describes Bella as “a sweetheart with a little sass! Before Bella, we had Isaboo and Boo, who both lived long, happy lives. My pets are my heart. They remind me every day to stay grounded, to love without conditions, and to find joy in the small things.”

This love of pets led Ray to use her passion for food to develop Nutrish, her brand of dog and cat food and treats, which launched in 2008. The idea for the brand all started with Isaboo, Ray’s dog, who was entering her senior years at the time. Ray recalls, “When Isaboo got older, I wanted to feed her food that was as wholesome as what I cook for myself and my family. I started making her meals in my own kitchen. That idea—real food for real pets—grew into Nutrish. It wasn’t about building a business; it was about helping more pet parents feed their animals food they can feel good about.”

Ray continues, “The biggest non-negotiable was quality. If I wouldn’t feed it to my own dog, it wasn’t going in the bag. Real meat, no fillers, and no artificial colors or flavors was the rule from day one. The challenge was scaling that kind of home-cooked idea into something that could feed pets everywhere without losing integrity. I wanted pet parents to look at the ingredients and feel good.”

Nearly twenty years later, Nutrish has even more wet and dry pet food options than ever, along with an array of tasty treats for training and everyday snacks. The brand’s staple ingredients include real chicken, salmon, venison, and beef, as well as fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, peas, carrots, and pumpkin. Grain-free blends and options for enhanced immune support, digestion, and other dietary needs are also part of the Nutrish lineup.

“It’s come a long way,” Ray says of Nutrish, which was acquired by Post Consumer Brands in 2023. “It’s all built around the same idea of real food, real ingredients, and giving back to animals in need. Now, with Post Consumer Brands helping carry that vision forward, we’re continuing to provide pets with balanced meals and pet parents peace of mind.”

In addition to providing pets with quality flavors, giving back has always been a core mission of Nutrish and the Rachael Ray Foundation, a private nonprofit organization that is fully funded by a portion of the brand’s sales. By partnering with rescue organizations, including the North Shore Animal League America and numerous smaller shelters across the United States, the foundation provides support for food, spay and neuter programs, disaster relief for pets, shelter renovations, and more. “I’m especially proud that Nutrish is the exclusive feeding partner for North Shore Animal League, helping nourish thousands of animals every year,” says Ray. “Other groups, like the ASPCA and all the other organizations, are also doing amazing work. Small and large, they’re all the heart and soul of the animal rescue world. None of this happens without them.”

As Nutrish continues to grow and evolve alongside the Rachael Ray Foundation, the founder herself is evolving in her culinary career with a new cooking series now streaming online. The demand for social media and digital television series has led to a new format for her famous easy-to-adapt, quick, and simple meal prepping. “When I started, it was 30-Minute Meals on TV. Now people want everything in thirty seconds on TikTok,” she laughs. “I’ve learned to be more spontaneous and flexible, as cooking today is about connecting in real time. Meals in Minutes—my new show on FYI Network and streaming on Hulu, Disney+, and YouTube—is fun, fast, and it keeps me learning. The goal is still the same, though: make great food approachable for everyone.”

There’s no doubt many great things are still to come for Ray, who would like to say a “big thank you” to all customers who choose Nutrish food and treats for their pets: “Every time you buy Nutrish or support our foundation, you’re part of something bigger. You’re helping animals, families, and communities. That means everything to me. Love your pets, cook with your heart, and keep spreading the good stuff.”

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Visit Nutrish.com and RachaelRayFoundation.org to shop now or learn how you can help pets in need, and head to RachaelRay.com to follow along with her latest projects!