Nurturing the Future of Veterinary Science: Ultra Pet x Onderstepoort Collaboration
Ultra Pet is passionate about the future of animal health and nutrition in South Africa. That’s why we’re proud to announce our exciting collaboration with University of Pretoria’s Veterinary Faculty, Onderstepoort, the country’s leading educational institution for veterinary science. With Pretoria University having top global rankings and a strong reputation for producing world-class vets, vet nurses, and animal scientists. Our goal with this collaboration is bridging education and industry to inspire and inform the next generation of vets and animal scientists.
Giving Students a Real-World Look at Pet Nutrition in Action
In September and October 2025, we gave almost 200 Onderstepoort students a series of immersive tours through our Randfontein pet food facility. These tours gave academics an in-depth look into our industry practices. Our deep dive started with a focused briefing session, where we showcased the full RCL Foods pet food portfolio and the science we use to make our Ultra Pet recipes. Our team gave industry insights and broke down our brand’s philosophies and the way we do our research and develop our products.
Next was a guided tour through Randfontein’s production floor. The goal here was to show the students the methods and science we use to make our pet food. Students got an inside look at how everything comes together, from formulation to safety protocols. This Behind-the-scenes look gave them an in-depth look at our quality control processes and the tech that powers modern pet food production. For many, it was their first time seeing large-scale pet food manufacturing in action, serving as a valuable step in connecting what they’ve learned in the classroom to how things work in the industry.
Investing in The Future Leaders of Animal Health
Collaborating with Onderstepoort University goes beyond than just giving these tours. It’s about laying the groundwork for a long-term impact in the veterinary field. Our goal with this initiative was to inspire and prepare future veterinarians, vet nurses, and animal nutritionists to better understand the link between nutrition, wellness, and overall pet health.
Giving these students the opportunity to learn about our manufacturing and product development processes we’re building lasting connections, sharing knowledge, and shaping a brighter future for pets and the people who care for them. And we can’t wait to do more in the future.