PDX Pet Products Update

PDX Pet Design Update | Shark Tank Season 8

ByAndrew Smith

Tara O’Mara realized that most cat toys just weren’t keeping pets entertained or stimulated while their owners were away. So, with the help of her husband, Jason, she came up with SHRU—an interactive toy that mimics small animals’ movements and keeps cats engaged for hours. Will Tara and Jason get the sharks on board with their innovative cat toy? Let’s find out in our PDX Pet Design update and pitch recap.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick overview of what happened to PDX Pet Design after Shark Tank.

Tara and Jason entered Shark Tank Season 8, seeking $300,000 for 15% equity in their intelligent cat companion business, PDX Pet Design. Unfortunately, after their pitch, they left without a deal.

In terms of a PDX Pet Design update, the company initially gained significant media attention shortly after its episode aired. However, despite the early momentum, the company struggled to bring new products to market and ultimately went out of business.

SharkResult
Daymond JohnNo offer
Kevin O’LearyNo offer
Robert HerjavecNo offer
Mark CubanNo offer
Lori GreinerNo offer

 

Shark Tank PDX Pet Design Pitch

Shark Tank PDX Pet Products Update
  • Entrepreneurs: Tara and Jason O’Mara
  • Business: Intelligent cat companion
  • Ask: $300,000 for 15% equity
  • Result: No Deal
  • Sharks: None

Tara and Jason entered Shark Tank seeking funding to increase production for their SHRU interactive cat toy and expand their product line.

They also wanted to boost targeted advertising, building on the viral success of their LICKI Brush.

Their company, PDX Pet Design, focuses on creating innovative cat toys and grooming tools.

Most of their sales come from their website and Amazon, with some items available in select pet stores.

Their standout products include the SHRU, a smart toy that mimics prey to keep cats entertained.

Another popular item is the LICKI Brush, a tongue-shaped grooming tool that helps cat owners bond with their pets by simulating licking.

PDX Pet Design’s mission is to engage cats mentally and physically while strengthening the bond between cats and their owners.

They target cat owners seeking unique, interactive toys that stimulate a cat’s natural hunting instincts. 

These toys offer opportunities for play and grooming to enhance relationships with pets.

What sets PDX Pet Design apart is its fresh approach to solving cat boredom while deepening the owner-pet connection.

During their pitch, Tara and Jason emphasized their goal of improving customers’ relationships with their cats while enhancing their cats’ lifestyles.

They demonstrated the SHRU and LICKI Brush, bringing laughter from the sharks.

Robert Herjavec even tried the LICKI Brush, much to the amusement of the other sharks.

At the time of the pitch, the SHRU was priced at $119, and the LICKI Brush at $25.

Tara and Jason had sold $250,000 worth of the SHRU and $52,000 of the LICKI Brush.

Despite these numbers, the sharks were skeptical about the company’s high valuation relative to its revenue.

Lori Greiner was the first to pass, noting the product hadn’t sold as well as expected for something that went viral.

Robert and Daymond John followed, agreeing that the ask was too high.

Mark Cuban also bowed out, suggesting a lower valuation might have made the deal more appealing.

Kevin O’Leary, the last to go, also cited the valuation as his reason for not investing.

Sadly, the entrepreneurs walked away without a deal.

Now, in our PDX Pet Design update, let’s see how they ran their company without a shark’s investment.

Shark Tank PDX Pet Design Update

Our PDX Pet Design update found that the company received a surge of media attention after its Shark Tank appearance.

Outlets like Business Insider, the Daily Mirror, and Jimmy Kimmel highlighted their innovative approach to pet care.

Customer feedback was positive as well, with the LICKI Brush receiving a solid 4-star rating from over 250 reviews on Amazon.

However, the company’s momentum eventually slowed as they worked on additional product prototypes, none of which were brought to market.

In February 2020, PDX Pet Design was featured on Shark Tank‘s “Greatest of All Time” special as one of the most memorable pitch fails.

Sadly, our PDX Pet Design update found that the company ceased operations in October 2021, as noted on Tara’s LinkedIn profile.

Their social media accounts have been inactive since early 2022, and their website now redirects to Amazon, where the LICKI Brush is no longer available.

Unfortunately, this will be our final PDX Pet Design update.

Curious about the other products featured on Season 8 Episode 12 of Shark Tank? Check out more product updates here:

Before you go, check out our Shark Tank Season 8 page for more updates.

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Andrew is a lifelong fan of Shark Tank and an entrepreneur at heart. He started Shark Tank Recap because he wanted a single place to track what happens to the companies, founders, and deals after they air on TV. With a sharp eye for business insights and a passion for all things Shark Tank, Andrew makes sure every recap is accurate, engaging, and fun.