Frankie Loves Barkery offers baked goods for dogs and people for RSPCA WA Cupcake Day

If you have a pet, chances are it will be like a member of your family.

Ardross local Esther Wagner welcomed her pup Frankie five years ago and while she expected it to be life changing, she didn’t expect him to launch a whole new career .

While trying to train Frankie, Mrs. Wagner discovered that her dog had an intolerance to chicken, which made him sick.

Instead of giving up dog treats altogether, she decided to make her own healthy alternatives for him, which led to the start of Frankie Loves Barkery.

“I started with our line of baked treats and made them into small training treats so no matter what size your dog is, they are the right size for them,” Ms Wagner said.

“And from there it snowballed into cakes and dehydrated treats and accessories that my mom makes herself by hand.”

Ms. Wagner works as a full-time teacher, but in the evenings and on weekends she spends her time baking luxurious cupcakes and dog treats.

“Birthday cakes are the most important thing right now; really something to do with celebrating a dog,” she said.

“The mindset is slowly changing from dogs that are just pets to dogs that are family members and now people really want to spoil their fur babies.”

But sadly, not all animals experience this feeling of unconditional love, with 6,444 reports of animal cruelty sent to the RSPCA WA in the past year, an average of more than 17 a day.

To help support the organization, Ms. Wagner uses her baking skills to raise money on her annual Cupcake Day.

“This is our second year working with the RSPCA WA. In fact, it all started with one of my clients ordering some of our treats to give to the dogs at the shelter,” she said.

Ms Wagner has teamed up with Classes Cakes and More to provide dog and human cupcakes through their website and throughout August. All proceeds from the sale will go directly to the RSPCA WA.

Nicky White, program manager for RSPCA WA, said the animal welfare center can only continue its work of rescuing animals in need thanks to community support at events such as Cupcake Day.

“We rely on animal lovers to fund approximately 80% of our work to rescue, rehabilitate and place some of the state’s most vulnerable animals,” Ms. White said.

“At the moment, our shelter in Malaga is at 118% capacity, with over 330 animals cared for.

“Cupcake Day hosts will help provide these abused, abandoned and neglected animals with food, shelter, veterinary care and a second chance with a loving new family.”