Meet the Founder
A Veterinarian’s Approach to Play, Safety & Comfort
Hello! I’m Dr. Duncan Houston, BVSc. I’m an emergency care veterinarian, pet product designer, and pet parent to Gary, Kiko, and Bridie - a mix of big personalities with strong opinions, and some of my best testers when it comes to the products I design.
I’ve spent over a decade in animal nutrition and product development. That experience led me to found Woopf and Purrz, with a clear mission: create exceptional pet products grounded in veterinary expertise and genuine care for animals.
In emergency practice, you quickly learn what truly matters for an animal’s comfort, safety, and wellbeing. My product inspiration is shaped by what I see every day - how animals behave under stress or when they’re bored, what comforts them, and what excites and stimulates them.
If your dog isn’t resting, they should be moving with purpose - walking well, playing properly, and engaging in ways that are both stimulating and controlled.
A Mix of Chaos & Control
Meet Bridie, Kiko, and Jess - a mix of chaos and control. Bridie and Kiko, my Golden Retrievers, are lovable troublemakers who destroy everything, forget their manners the moment a bird exists, and treat “training” like a casual suggestion. Jess, our very intelligent Border Collie (the honour student in a house full of clowns), brings the opposite — focus, precision, and a mind that needs to be properly challenged.
This mix of chaos and control - combined with my veterinary expertise - shapes everything I create. Tug toys need to withstand full tug-of-war between relentless chewers and tossers. Leashes and ID tags need to keep them safe in “squirrel” moments. Interactive toys are designed to keep the brightest minds stimulated. And beds need to deliver real comfort, support, and longevity.
Before anything makes it to WOOPF, it has to prove itself in real life - across chaos, control, and everything in between.
