Zanimo’s mission is to offer your cherished pets the very best. With this in mind, company founders Manon Choquette and François Huneault have developed different product lines with active natural ingredients that produce results. Zanimo products are designed to improve your furry friends’ quality of life and overall health. The owners of this proudly Canadian company share the love story that led them to create life-changing products for you and your four-legged friends.

From Mira to Zanimo
Partners in both life and business, Choquette and Huneault founded Zanimo in 1999 based on a shared vision and values. Twenty years later, the torch still burns bright and Zanimo now boasts several product lines totalling 36 products covering various pet health needs. All of the products and supplements share one goal: to improve the health, beauty and well-being of your dog or cat.

It all started in 1998 when Choquette and Huneault fostered a blond fluffball called Rubis, a female Labrador puppy from the Mira Foundation. Mira breeds, raises and trains guide or assistance dogs to give to people living with a disability. Foster families help socialize the pups until about 14 months of age, when they begin their training.

Though Choquette and Huneault fell in love with Rubis as soon as they met her, they soon realized that she shed, a lot! In searching for a solution, Choquette looked to the healing powers of plants. An herbalist by profession, she concocted an edible formula that Rubis really enjoyed. It contained calf liver, vitamins, minerals and prebiotics. In less than three weeks, Rubis’s shedding had decreased by 80 per cent. What’s more, her fur was now softer and shinier. Without knowing it, Choquette had just created the recipe for O’Poil, a product that would delight owners with its name and results! (poil meaning hair and au poil meaning perfect)

Unwavering determination
A few months after Rubis returned to Mira to complete her training, Choquette was back in school to finish her graphic design studies. “I had always wanted to have a business in animal care, and my studies gave me the skills to create labels, pamphlets and promotional materials, which reduced the cost of launching the business,” she explains.

Since her concoction had produced excellent results with Rubis and other dogs in her circle, Choquette realized that she could sell it commercially. She got in touch with a chemist who could help her manufacture it.

That’s the moment Choquette and Huneault embarked on a very specific mission: to develop a line of products with active natural ingredients whose results would improve the health and well-being of animal companions. They had all the necessary assets: Choquette is a passionate visionary—someone who is avant-garde and loves a challenge. As someone with a generous and empathetic nature, she loves working with people. Huneault is a natural problem-solver. Detail-oriented and organized, he’s always on the hunt for an innovative solution. It was only natural that the two pair up to launch Zanimo. It was the start of a beautiful adventure!

Early days
Choquette and Huneault had an avant-garde product that didn’t yet exist on the market, and they strongly believed in their business. “We were bursting with ideas and excitement, so we decided to become entrepreneurs. We didn’t have any experience, but we had passion,” says Choquette. “We couldn’t wait for consumers to try O’Poil, because shedding is a real problem for a lot of pet owners.”

At the start, their strategy was to target pet stores in their area. Going store to store, they presented their introductory kit containing six packets of 40 pills each in an attractive wooden display case that Huneault had designed and created. The store owners were delighted that a product like O’Poil existed and the orders began pouring in. In less than two months, the product was available in over 30 stores. Hot off the heels of this early success, the couple doubled the introductory kit to include 12 packets, and it still wasn’t enough to meet the demand.

But the real defining moment happened on January 21st, 2001…or more precisely, the next day. A well-known Journal de Montréal journalist published an article about O’Poil, and that’s when the real tidal wave happened. “The Mondou chain of animal care stores placed an order for the 35 stores it had at the time,” explains Choquette. “The buyer told us it was the first time that a product was in such high demand. We weren’t quite ready for this much success, but we were incredibly happy to have accomplished this feat. With such a high volume of orders, we rolled up our sleeves and worked hard to deliver as quickly as possible.”

After that news article, the phone rang off the hook. Pet store owners wanted O’Poil. From one week to the next, the number of stores carrying their product rose from 65 to 150. No more going door-to-door—the stores were coming to them! “Due to the high demand for this product, our little start-up had to find financing. We needed to increase our inventory to cover new orders and supply our regular retailers, plus we needed cash flow for our accounts receivable. We quickly scheduled a meeting with our account manager,” says Huneault.

Expanding
Because Zanimo was a pioneer in this sector, there weren’t any comparable products on the market. The challenge was to come up with a business plan that would convince the bank to back this miracle product. It wasn’t easy. Their first financing request was denied. So, they turned to their region’s local development centre (CLD) but were again denied. Choquette and Huneault went back to the drawing board and revised their business plan, and on their second try, they got a positive response from the CLD. “We had a dream and there was nothing that was going to stop us from achieving it,” says Huneault with a laugh.

The CLD determined that O’Poil met a real need in the pet care market. “We decided to rename the product Hair Loss Control, which was more fitting,” says Huneault. “The financing allowed us to triple our inventory, support our growth and hire staff.”

In the years that followed, Choquette and Huneault wore many hats in their business: decision-making, customer service, office work, accounting, inventory management, order fulfilment, delivery, sales, etc. Their hard work paid off. “The business reaps what the entrepreneurs sowed,” muses Huneault.

They’ve always relied on the quality of their products and on their team to develop an average of two products per year. “We’re meeting the growing needs of pet owners who care about the health and well-being of their loyal companion,” says Choquette. The research and development team provides the innovation and creativity, which helps the company stay ahead of the competition. “We have the ability to quickly develop exclusive and effective formulas, which makes our retailers and customers happy,” says Huneault.

Today
Over the past 21 years, Manon and François say they’ve experienced plenty of success and proud moments, as well as some failures and discouragement. But because they believed so strongly in what they were doing, they never gave up. “Zanimo gave us the opportunity to experience all aspects of entrepreneurship and allowed us to finally achieve our dream,” says Choquette.

Because of its variety of remarkably effective products, Zanimo has become the most popular and best-selling brand of animal supplements in Quebec. Pet owners, breeders, groomers, trainers and animal health professionals use Zanimo products to pamper and improve the quality of life of their companion animals, big and small.

Zanimo now has seven product lines totalling 36 products, which are available in several practical sizes. They can be found in more than 450 points of sale across the province. Choquette and Huneault made the decision to offer exclusivity to stores that specialize in animal care rather than big-box stores. Why? Buying local is environmentally friendly, more equitable and supports local businesses, which are values they hold dear.

A dynamic team
Zanimo is made of up six internal team members, along with external experts. Choquette and Huneault are very close with their employees and customers. “We offer our employees a safe, fun and welcoming work environment. We’re like family; we talk regularly, and they all participate in new projects,” says Choquette. They share their ideas, and we feel that this contributes to a sense of belonging to the business.”

“The service and assistance we provide, and our customer approach is very important to us,” says Chantal Delorme, who is in charge of customer service, sales and training. “Our goal is to help as many pet owners as possible take good care of their fur babies by suggesting the most suitable product for their need.” Zanimo is known for its excellent customer service, and the team encourages customers to contact them by phone for prompt assistance. Whether it’s to get information on the products or simply to find a retailer nearest you, they’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

Choquette and Huneault now have four cats that they adopted: Youyou, Charlot, Boubou and Mimine—all strays that had been living in the woods near their home. They also adopted Hugo, an 11-year-old Yorkshire Terrier whose owner couldn’t keep him in an apartment. They also have two 30-year-old red-eared slider turtles that enjoy every comfort imaginable.

Manufactured in Canada and certified by Health Canada
Even though the business has expanded considerably, Zanimo products have been designed, developed and manufactured in Canada by a passionate team of experts for more than 20 years. “This way, we can continue to control the quality of each of our products,” says Huneault.

Zanimo products don’t contain any chemicals, artificial aromas or preservatives and are gluten-free. Some are also vegan. The grooming products don’t contain any parabens, sulphates or silicone.

Zanimo products are loved by customers because they work! Certified by Health Canada, they contain safe and effective active natural ingredients that produce visible, proven results.

Zanimo’s laboratory partners ensure regulatory appliance, product integrity and the use of best manufacturing practices. Zanimo products have been evaluated by Health Canada since 2013. The notification number (NN) on the product labels indicates that the product is safe, of superior quality and produces the desired results. This number is easy to find on the label and is the equivalent of the natural product number (NPN) on natural health products for humans sold in pharmacies.

The environment is also important to Choquette and Huneault. The boxes used to deliver their products are made of recycled materials. The boxes that come from the labs are new, but staff take the time to organize and return them so that they can be used anew. Products are packaged in recyclable bottles. Any damaged goods that can’t be sold in stores are set aside for animal shelters that need them. “We’re always trying to reduce our waste. We buy recycled ink cartridges and when they’re empty; we give them to a local organization. We’re always looking for new ways to recycle and avoid waste,” says Choquette.

Giving back
After Rubis, Choquette and Huneault fostered another Mira dog in 2002, this time a beautiful blond Labrador named Yucca. After giving her Hair Loss Control, Yucca’s fur was vastly improved. In 2018, Choquette and Huneault were back at Mira, this time to donate a supply of Zanimo products. The products would greatly help the foster families as well as the eventual recipients of the Mira dogs.

The products selected for the donation were first validated by Mira’s veterinarian, to ensure that they met the necessary criteria and would be safe for the Mira dogs. “For two years, we gave them gift bags containing the following products: Hair Loss Control, Omega 3-6-9, Ear Care and Argan-aloe shampoo,” explains Choquette. “We donated more than $70,000 in products because this organization is very near to our hearts. In a way, they are a part of our story.”

Discover the 7 products lines and their new look!
Zanimo got a brand image makeover in October 2021. The new logo reflects the company’s high-quality status and the images on the product labels have been updated as well. Fans of the product won’t have any trouble finding their favourites, because the team has colour-coded the seven product lines. Even the brochure got a revamp, clearly showing the benefits offered by each product. It will serve as a helpful daily reference. “We help dogs and cats live comfortable, healthy lives thanks to innovative, effective products adapted to their needs. It’s our way of giving back the love they so deserve,” adds Huneault.

The product categories include: Joints, Skin and Fur, Ears and Eyes, Teeth and Digestion, Grooming, Specialty and Homeopathic. All of the products work in synergy to maximize the results and offer simple and effective solutions. For most of the products, customers can expect to see results within 10 days. From reduced joint pain to less shedding, to ear and eye care and even toothpaste, perfumes, shampoo and laxative paste… all products are adapted specifically for dogs and cats.

One of Zanimo’s best-selling products is “Joint Support–Collagen & Glucosamine”, the flagship project of the joint supplement line. It contains six active ingredients: collagen, glucosamine HCL, chondroitin and three natural anti-inflammatories. It aids in improving ligament, muscle, bone and cartilage health while promoting joint suppleness and pain reduction. Results are quick and remarkable. “Joint Support–Collagen & Glucosamine” comes in liquid form, and cats and dogs like the taste.

Zanimo’s homeopathy products are designed to improve dogs and cats’ emotional health and well-being by reducing stress, including separation anxiety. “Calm Emotion” helps maintain a balanced emotional and physical state by preventing and regulating anxiety, fear and discomfort. “Travel”, another product in this line, helps with symptoms that can crop up during transportation, such as stress, fear, trembling and excessive salivation, to name just a few.

Future projects
Business is booming for Zanimo: product sales have gone up significantly, which will require an expansion of its workplace. In early 2022, Choquette and Huneault will inaugurate their new facilities in Prévost, in the Laurentians, and will continue their expansion by hiring dedicated business development staff for the rest of Canada.

Their website has also gotten a major facelift. Visit it to stay informed of new trends, expert advice, news and anything directly or indirectly related to your pet’s health needs. Written by an animal health technician with 20 years of experience, the articles offer a variety of interesting and topical content.

To learn more about Zanimo’s product lines and discover the products that have made thousands of pet owners (and their pets) happy, visit zanimo.com. Because your cat or dog is worth it!