With her 5 rescue dogs, Aunty Kim em-barks on a ‘Furbulous’ venture

PETALING JAYA: The moment visitors step into Furbulous The Pet’s Corner, they are greeted by five enthusiastic hosts.

These sweethearts are Ollie, Tiffy, Max, Rowie and Teddy, who gather at the door with wagging tails and happy faces, eager to welcome customers to “their” store in Ara Damansara.

Owner Kimberly Kim Hui, better known as Aunty Kim, started the business in 2022. It specialises in all-natural, human-grade artisanal pet treats and freshly cooked meals.

Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, Kim explained how Tiffy, her first rescue dog, inspired her to start the business.

When Tiffy developed skin problems, Kim began preparing homemade meals for her. Within less than a month, Tiffy recovered without medication.

“I was in construction for 13 years, working from home. When the Movement Control Order hit, I started learning how to bake human food,” Kim shared.

“My initial plan was to open a bakery, but after I got Tiffy, I realised that making pet food made me happier.”

Encouraged by the results, she left her high-paying job and began selling pet treats by the roadside in Bangsar. Today, she runs a licensed pet food manufacturing business.

From an initial store in Kota Damansara, she later relocated to her current, larger space in Ara Damansara and also operates a factory outlet for production.

Kim handles almost every aspect of the business herself, from sales and marketing to production and packing.

“We have more than 50 varieties of treats and all of them are tested by my five dogs,” she said. “We have lots of flavours and I make sure they don’t cause any reactions or stomach upsets. Only then will we sell them.”

What makes her treats unique is that they are all single-protein products, catering to pets that may be allergic to certain meats. All equipment is thoroughly cleaned before each batch is made to prevent cross-contamination.

Some of her bestsellers include turmeric duck jerky, pork liver oat bites, and beefhide strips.

She also offers cooked meals, dog cakes, and sous-vide packets designed to lock in nutrients and aid digestion. Popular options include Aussie mutton served with sweet potato, broccoli, cauliflower and quinoa.

During FMT Lifestyle’s visit, Kim’s affection for her dogs was evident. But she also shared a sad story about her very first dog, Jeffrey.

“He was a miniature pinscher. One day, I came home after school and my mum told me he had died in the drain after being chased by some kids,” she recalled emotionally.

For many years afterwards, Kim went without a dog, focusing instead on work and raising her daughter. That changed five years ago when she adopted Tiffy.

One rescue dog eventually became five. Her furry family, along with two cats, includes golden retrievers, Dobermans and mixed breeds, each with his or her own personality and story.

Kim has personally trained all of them. Some, like Ollie, were initially aggressive but have since become affectionate companions.

Meanwhile, the business is about more than selling pet food. With her five dogs often on the premises, some visitors stop by simply to spend time with them.

“I would say we are more than a pet shop; we are a mini pet community,” she added.

Kim also organises camping trips in places such as Serendah and Bentong exclusively for the Furbulous community. These outings allow dogs to socialise while taking part in activities such as river trekking, hiking and waterfall swims.

As for the future, she hopes to expand Furbulous to more locations across the country.

“To be honest, the pay is not as high as before, but every day I come into this store I feel very happy. This is my second home,” she concluded.

Follow Furbulous The Pet’s Corner on Instagram.

Furbulous The Pet’s Corner
Ara Permata,
19, Jalan PJU 1a/42,
Ara Damansara,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening hours:
9.30am-4pm (Tuesdays to Fridays)
9.30am-5pm (weekends)