Swift Paws

Swift Paws is a pet wellness and enrichment company specializing in products that provide both mental and physical exercise for animals, primarily dogs.

The company's journey began in 2011 when founder and CEO Meghan Wolfgram, an economics graduate from DePauw University, sought an engaging activity for her dog, Pretzel. Discovering the sport of lure coursing—where dogs chase a mechanized lure—she found the equipment prohibitively expensive and access to clubs limited. This led her to build a homemade version with her father's assistance. The enthusiastic response from friends at a backyard gathering highlighted a market gap, sparking the formation of Swift Paws in Melbourne, Florida, in 2012.

Initially, Swift Paws targeted the professional market, selling commercial-grade lure-coursing machines for over $2,000 to clients such as doggy daycares, K-9 units for law enforcement, and even zoos like the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and Australia Zoo for exercising cheetahs. After observing significant demand from individual pet owners, the company pivoted its focus. A successful Kickstarter campaign in 2017, which raised over $73,000, funded the development of a consumer version, SwiftPaws Home, launched in 2018. The company gained significant exposure after Wolfgram's appearance on season 13 of 'Shark Tank' in 2022, where she secured a $240,000 investment from Lori Greiner in exchange for 6% equity. This event dramatically increased sales, with the company selling out its inventory within three weeks post-airing.

Swift Paws generates revenue through direct-to-consumer sales of its lure coursing kits and accessories via its website and Amazon. Its flagship product is a patented, battery-operated lure course system. A kit includes a main drive unit, pulleys to outline a course, stakes, a line, and flags that act as the lure. Users can set up a course of varying lengths, with some models offering speeds up to 36 mph, all controlled by a remote or a smartphone app. The company offers different versions, including the 'Home Original,' the larger 'Home Plus', and a more affordable, wall-powered 'CHASE!' model designed for smaller spaces and indoor use, reflecting an ongoing effort to make the product more accessible.

Keywords: pet enrichment, dog exercise, lure coursing, pet wellness, dog agility, pet products, direct-to-consumer, Shark Tank, Meghan Wolfgram, pet technology, dog training equipment, animal health, backyard dog activities, canine sports, pet startups, dog toys, interactive pet toys, K9 fitness, animal enrichment