Behind the Scenes - Emergency Pet Planner Inspiration
I've always been a planner, especially where the safety of my dogs are concerned. I'm also really into web design, digital products and content design. However, I sat in my office one day, thinking about the future, and I realised I had nothing written down regarding my dogs care in the event of me me not being there, whether that be temporarily or the unthinkable.
I did a quick web search and although there were some pet planners, there was nothing as detailed as I invisaged. I spent quite sometime looking for solutions that might already have been thought of, but that wasn't the case.
Nothing felt good enough.
I wanted something tangible like a notebook. Something that looked good but was above all practical and easy to use.
I decided that spiral bound was the way forward so that the book could be opened out and laid flat on a table.
Digital My Dog's I.C.E.™
I also wanted a digital version. This was hard work! I went on a steep learning curve to be able to make a document that was thoroughly tested and was obviously the digital version of the notebook, so it needed to be 'fillable'. Essentially this was an interactive editable document that the user could open in PDF software and browsers. I also needed to address how useful a digital version of something whose MO was 'accessibility and easy to use' - how could a digital product be that too?
Well, I decided that the digital version of My Dog's I.C.E.™ should be used secondary to the notebook. Its' USP is being able to email it to pet caregivers like kennels, pet sitters and walkers and such like.
What would happen with my dog's if I weren't there?
For us single folk, having someone there all the time who also knew your dogs' daily routine is a massive sticking point.
The My Dog's I.C.E.™ Emergency Pet Planner goes a long way to making sure their daily needs are documented.
It covers food, medications, walks, who their next of kin is, you know, all the essential stuff. It even has an End of Life Wishes page. I don't want to be morbid, but I feel all this stuff needs to be documented, and you can now do that with my emergency pet planner.
First draught & user testing
This was a crucial stage. I needed to know that my idea wasn't just pie in the sky and was in fact something that other people believed was great too.
The feedback was perfect, I couldn't have wished for better.
I had 3 proof runs in total. The first MVP was printed on July 24th 2025. It looked great, but being the MVP, it deserved a few weeks to make it better.
The first bulk order was placed on July 30th ready for my TikTok ads!
By September 17th I was ready for a big order which brought the costs per unit down.
Copyright & Trademark
The Trademark was something I did first. The copyright was also a huge task. The message is loud and clear. Any infringement will be dealt with by the full force of the law.
Why this brand really matters to me
Not only was I hell bent on making a digital product - not my first, I have many dog training products out there - I wanted this subject to be something that was as precious to customers as it was to me.
The pet emergency planner began as an idea that turned into a scribble on a scrap of paper for a very real worry that many dog owners face. It has now become a tool that gives clarity and comfort.
If you've ever worried about what to plan for your pets in a crisis, here is our solution and your cue to put your own pan in to place.
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