On Wednesday, KLN Family Brands subsidiary Tuffy’s Treat Co. announced it has acquired Minneapolis-based pet treats company Finley’s Barkery. Tuffy’s plans to continue the company’s current product lines and its mission of inclusivity by offering employment to individuals with disabilities.

In June 2021, Finley’s partnered up with NutriSource, another brand of KLN Family Brands, to boost its product development. After the acquisition, Finley’s aims to continue improving its manufacturing with Tuffy’s infrastructure and channels of distribution, according to a news release issued Wednesday.

“At KLN Family Brands, it’s part of our vision to better the world by caring for others,” said Charlie Nelson, CEO of KLN Family Brands. “We have long admired the work that [Finley’s owners] Angie and Kyle have done in utilizing the Finley’s brand as a vehicle to provide paid employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Their mission-based entrepreneurial spirit so closely aligns with our values that the opportunity to bring the Finley’s brand under the KLN umbrella was a natural fit.”

Finley’s Barkery was jumpstarted in 2010 by two special education teachers, Kyle and Angie Gallus, who appeared on TCB‘s “By All Means” podcast last year. Grown from the classroom, the startup gradually changed into a premium pet brand. The company says it’s created more than 9,000 hours of paid employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities through its ambassador initiative. Both founders will remain in leadership positions of the brand under Tuffy’s.

“Charlie Nelson and the entire team at KLN Family Brands have been tremendously supportive of Finley’s,” said Angie Gallus. “We are deeply humbled that what began as a dream to help those with disabilities will now be part of a company that shares our passion for pets and people. We couldn’t ask for a better fit.”

Tuffy’s products are currently sold at major retailers like Target, Chewy.com, and Safeway/Albertson stores.