The holiday season can be stressful. Between making homemade holiday cookies and planning extravagant dinner arrangements, people's to-do list during the winter months continues to grow. One thing you won't have to worry about is finding the perfect holiday gift because I have you covered.

Trying to find the best gift can be difficult, unless you know the best places to look. Barks and Bonks is one such business you should be shopping at this season.

This year more than ever, small local businesses need our support. Besides producing creative and useful gifts, these organizations often help foster a sense of community. Barks and Bonks is no exception. Their personalizable products bring a special heartfelt touch to the gifts that any pet lover would appreciate. Plus, a portion of the proceeds benefit local animal shelters and rescues.

To learn more about this amazing business, check out the following question and answer session with Barks and Bonks Owner Sarah Feaster.

Photo by Sarah Feaster

How did you get your idea and concept for the business?

A few years ago, I spread myself thin across my already ambitious career, a side hustle and trying to volunteer whenever possible, but I was often finding myself overwhelmed and uninspired. So, I decided to go back to the basics: what brings me great joy? While life has had many ups and downs, I have been able to consistently rely on the love and silly antics of the animals that have accompanied me throughout the years, which made me decide to give up some of my extracurricular activities in lieu of pursuing what I consider to be my passion project. That's what made me decide I wanted to start this business.

What is unique about your business?

While I'm starting to offer a few generic designs just for fun, the majority of the products I make are created once I receive your purchase and are based on your requests and photos submitted. I take great pride in my work and am excited to share that with my clients, while also knowing that everything shipped from my office translates to a donation to help animals in need. I'm currently partnering with this amazing group, the Animal Care Sanctuary, which has locations in Wellsboro and East Smithfield. Not only do they help find rescued pets their forever homes, they've even just taken in a group of dogs recently saved from a dog meat farm in South Korea!

Photo by Sarah Feaster

How do you come up with product ideas?

Because of the printing process I utilize, I am limited a bit as to what physical products I can apply my designs to, but I take inspiration from anywhere I can get it! From all silly conversations and goofy catch phrases I've used or heard throughout my day, to fun antics online, I love being able to provide products that can bring smiles to the faces of pet lovers.

Photo by Sarah Feaster

What is your favorite product made?

My favorite products on my website are the metal photo prints. I love walking through the home décor and office aisles at big box stores and seeing all the fun, shiny items that you can use to dress up your spaces. We all know we're spending more time than usual at home and any pops of sparkle can help make our time there less monotonous. Unlike what you can get off the shelf, these items are personalized with your own photos and names or quotes, and they come out shiny, creating the illusion that the photo was almost etched into the metal instead of printed on it. I haven't seen anything similar elsewhere.

What is your goal for your business? Do you have a particular mission?

I hope to one day surpass donating $100,000 to animal rescues and shelters – for starters.

Photo by Sarah Feaster

Why did you want to donate to local animal shelters and rescues?

I've had pets for as long as I can remember (even a dwarf hamster in college – shh!) and they've brought me such joy throughout my life. I can't possibly express the great lengths I'd go to try to repay my adorable family members for that, but I can try my hardest to make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than the ones sleeping on my bed right this second.

Where does the business ship to?

I currently ship to all 50 states and hope to eventually expand my business internationally.

Photo by Sarah Feaster

Concluding Author's Note:

If you are a pet lover or know a pet lover, then these gifts are especially for you. Barks and Bonks specializes in making one-of-a-kind products. For instance, the decorative metallic pet photo prints they sell allow you to commemorate, remember, and cherish your furry friends. More so, if wearing a mask doesn't put a smile on your face, then wearing a mask with your furry pals on the front may. These customizable masks make great gifts that are in line with the times. Check out the rest of their products on their website here. Also, make sure to follow Barks and Bonks on their social media platforms: they are on Instagram @barksandbonks, and they can be found on Facebook at Barks & Bonks.

Photo by Sarah Feaster