Owensboro natives Les Bumm and Kevin Humphries recently launched Dr. Bumm's, which specializes in healthy pet health care and grooming products. At the moment, he has two products on the market: an anti-itch, hot spot and blemish care spray and a stain and odor removal spray.
With time on their hands during the pandemic, the two brainstormed potential business opportunities. Mr. Bam is a pharmaceutical sales representative and Mr. Humphrey is the CEO of Holison, a company specializing in innovative and improved food safety sampling solutions.
The two combined their knowledge and experience to begin research and develop pet hygiene products.
“These are great products and have received a lot of positive feedback,” says Bam. “We know we have a great product, but because our product is natural, not synthetic, we have no real competitors. We include lavender oil and other synthetic fragrances in our products.
The main ingredient in antibacterial wound and skin care sprays is hypochlorous acid (HOCl). This is a powerful natural ingredient that is thought to be 200 times more powerful than bleach, yet is safe to ingest. The product's popularity gradually waned due to its short shelf life, but it has once again gained attention as a countermeasure against the new coronavirus.
Through other experiences, Bam came across a company in Florida that had developed a machine that could combine water, salt pellets, and water softeners and electrolyze them to form compounds.
Bam and Humphries wanted to bring cleaning products to market right away, but quickly realized they needed to deal with some government regulations. Besides, their biggest competition would be bleach.
So they pivoted to pets, which have minimal regulations. The body's white blood cells naturally produce her HOCl as part of the immune system response, and veterinarians were already using it in IV medications and other prescription medications.
“When you make the mixture on one side, what's left goes to the other side and forms sodium hydroxide, a natural degreaser that's commonly found on shelves,” Bam says. “This allows us to make two products from one.”
Sodium hydroxide is the main compound that removes stains and odors.
“Even if you don't actually bathe your pet, you can use it to remove eye mucus, earwax, and remove outdoor dirt and odors,” he says. “You can also spray it on your dog's bed, toys, and even around your pet's mouth to prevent bad breath. It's 100% safe.”
To learn more about the product, the company, or to place an order, visit doctorbums.com. The spray can also be purchased at walmart.com and amazon.com.
