Pup O’Clock: Fostering Responsibility and Community Through Pet Ownership

Pup O’Clock, a Pittsburgh-based pet company, is pioneering a unique approach to integrate children’s education, pet care, and community support through a startup aimed at enhancing the relationship between kids and their dogs. Brian Manni, the founder, introduced monthly themed subscription boxes that teach children responsibility via engaging activities focused on pet care.

The concept emerged in response to a trend observed after the COVID-19 pandemic, where numerous families adopted dogs but faced challenges in managing pet ownership responsibilities. Manni emphasized the importance of instilling responsibility in children through dog ownership, mentioning it helps them develop essential life skills such as consistency, discipline, self-sacrifice, and patience.

Manni expressed that the company’s vision was also influenced by his personal recovery journey. Pup O’Clock integrates community support by contributing to programs like Autism Pittsburgh and Joey’s PAW. Additionally, a portion of the proceeds is donated to animal shelters and organizations promoting the human-animal bond.

“I started this company and it paralleled my sobriety journey,” Manni explained. “We aimed for a total community approach, supporting shelters and special needs organizations. Collaborating locally with Autism Pittsburgh, we realize how animals and kids can enhance each other’s lives over time, ideally through entertainment.”

Each subscription box from Pup O’Clock features educational content, activities, recipes, dog enrichment tools, treats, and collectibles tied to monthly themes. These lessons are crafted in collaboration with veterinary and pet enrichment experts, aiming to equip children with a deeper understanding of their pets’ needs while nurturing practical skills.

The startup has also teamed up with Point Park University, offering students and graduates opportunities to work in areas such as animation, technology, web development, and creative arts as Pup O’Clock expands its “League of Pups” animated series.

Pup O’Clock launched its 2.0 Kickstarter campaign on October 15, running until November 15. The campaign aims to broaden its subscription program, create more opportunities for local students, and further support community initiatives within the Pittsburgh area.