RALEIGH — Pet treats startup, Zookies Cookies – founded by Raleigh locals Justin Miller and Tom Simon – appeared on ABC’s “Shark Tank” on Sunday and got some tails wagging with offers.

Two investors – Drybar founder Alli Webb and O’Shares ETFs chairman and co-host Kevin O’Leary – each made similar bids for a stake in the company.

“We didn’t know who the guest shark was going to be,” Miller said, nothing that they found out a few hours before the show that Webb would be joining the team.

While they didn’t know much about Webb, they did think their product was a good fit for QVC’s Lori Greiner or possibly fellow “Shark” Robert Herjavec.

“He (Robert) has always been vocal about his love for pets,” Miller said.

When those two investors went out, MIller described it as a “gut check.”

“You convince yourself it doesn’t matter one way or another, but all bets are off when you walk in,” Miller said.

In the end, the Zookies duo went with Webb’s slightly more favorable offer to invest $50,000 for a 30 percent stake in the company.

“It still needs work,” Webb said of their concept. “But I see an opportunity here. I think I can bring value in bringing it to certain retailers.”

“It’s a deal,” Miller responded, after thanking both investors for their offers.

Raleigh startup Zookies Cookies offers healthy, ready-to-bake treats for dogs.

The episode was filmed in September, which meant the two had to keep their appearance and subsequent deal a secret for nearly six months.

In February 2018, the pair launched a Kickstarter fundraising campaign for their startup Zookies Cookies, raising $25,000 for their company shortly after Miller sold his previous startup WedPics and Simon sold his company, Source3, to Facebook.

Pitching their treats as much healthier and therefore better for pets, the product’s ingredients come in a jar and must be baked first before serving.

While paperwork was done last year, Zookies waited until now to unveil its new labels with a new, playful look. Also, the labels clearly note the baking instructions and cookie cutter inside – suggestions that came from Webb and customers.

“When you are starting out and you are little to close to the product and think about what makes sense to implement in terms of changes,” Miller said. “Listen to your customers.”

Zookies has also increased manufacturing, now using Bobbee’s Bottling in Louisburg.

In the first 12 hours since the show aired, Zookies has received more than 1,000 orders. Miller and Simon were busy Monday working on packaging and order fulfillment.

“We are up to our eyeballs in order,” Miller said. There are even inquiries from shoppers in Canada, which they do not ship to yet.

Readers wanting to check out Zookies can save 10 percent by using the code SHARKTANK.

The Zookies goal is simple: “Hopefully we’re aiming to change the way people are ‘treating’ pets,” Miller told WRAL TechWire at the time. “People call dogs man’s best friend, but the way they ‘treat’ them is horrific.”

Pet treat startup Zookies Cookies launches kickstarter campaign, aims to ramp up production