Our story

PickPocket Foragers was founded in 2016 by dog guardian and canine behaviorist Kate Mallatratt, inspired by her beloved elderly Golden Retriever, Mabel. Seeking to enhance Mabel’s mental and physical well-being in her senior years, Kate developed a fully washable foraging product that combines scent work with gentle, frustration-free enrichment. Her goal was to create a durable product that engages a dog’s natural seeking instincts while addressing the needs of her clients’ dogs, reducing behavior issues and boosting overall well-being.

Recognising a gap in the market, Kate designed PickPocket Foragers to provide accessible, puzzle-solving enrichment for dogs of all breeds, sizes and face shapes. The product line has since expanded to include crate-hanging foragers, foraging blankets, foraging bags and small foraging pouches, available in various sizes to suit every dog.

Kate is deeply committed to improving the welfare of less-able dogs, particularly those with sensory impairments like blindness, senior dogs with mobility or cognitive challenges, and dogs recovering from surgery or on restricted exercise. PickPocket Foragers offer vital mental stimulation and gentle mind-body exercise to these dogs especially, making them an ideal solution to support welfare.

By placing the dogs’ wellbeing at the core of the business, PickPocket Foragers has flourished. We are honoured to have earned the Association of IntoDogs Certificate of Recognition for our valuable contribution within the field of enrichment products for the better welfare of animals. Our products are also recommended by Canine Arthritis Management, a UK-based organisation offering evidence-based guidance for owners of dogs with arthritis and professionals. We proudly partner with charities, providing enrichment products for dogs in kennels and supporting fundraising efforts, spreading the benefits of gentle foraging enrichment.

Mabel, the heart of our story, had two loves in life: giant teddy bears (which we would scour the charity shops for) and food. She would diligently seek out every last crumb in her forager then stretch out on her forager, sigh contentedly, and nap. Though Mabel is sadly no longer with us, her legacy endures through PickPocket Foragers, bringing joy and enrichment to dogs everywhere. Our website makes it easy for your dog to rummage.

About Kate

Kate previously ran her successful behaviour and force-free training business, Contemplating Canines, in Devon. She now dedicates her expertise to improving dogs’ lives through PickPocket Foragers. Kate holds an Advanced Diploma in Canine Behaviour Management (with distinction) from Compass Education Ltd and a Teacher’s Diploma and Certificate in Puppy Education from Learning About Dogs Ltd. Kate is a founder member of International Canine Behaviourists and a member of the Pet Professional Guild for force-free training.

An advocate for errorless learning, problem prevention and canine enrichment, Kate incorporated these principles into her behaviour consultations. With a passion for nutrition and holistic wellness, she worked with homeopathic vet practices, witnessing the transformative power of a mind-body-soul approach. Kate is the author of Home Alone & Happy, a book on preventing separation anxiety, and has contributed to Animal Therapy Magazine and Jan Allegretti’s Complete Holistic Dog book. She also served as an assistant trainer on the TV programmeTeach My Petand volunteer trainer with assistance dog charity DogAID.

Seeing the many benefits of canine enrichment in her behaviour practice, in 2017 Kate founded PickPocket Foragers supplying washable fleece toys for dogs to give mental stimulation and gentle exercise through nose work.

Along with her husband Paul, Kate is currently guardian to Golden Retrievers Phoebe, Maisie and Lottie, and English Springer Spaniel Rosie. In her spare time she enjoys music and long walks with the dogs escaping to the beach as often as possible.