Inspiring Conversations with Natalie Ball of Bark Balls

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Ball

Hi Natalie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bark Balls started with my pup, Tilly Ball, and her endless love for fetching. Like most dog owners, I was constantly buying new tennis balls, and it quickly added up—not just in cost, but in waste. At the same time, I noticed how many perfectly good tennis balls were left behind in parks and trails. That’s when it hit me: why not collect, clean, and repurpose these balls to give them a second life?

And just like that, Bark Balls was born. We take gently used tennis balls from our growing network of partners—including individual tennis players, tennis centers, animal shelters, and major ATP tournaments—clean them, and package them for resale as an eco-friendly, affordable, and fun alternative to new pet toys. But Bark Balls isn’t just about saving money—it’s about protecting the planet, people, and pets.

Beyond just selling repurposed tennis balls, Bark Balls is about community and sustainability. A portion of every sale goes to causes we care about—animal shelters, environmental nonprofits, and local initiatives. We believe that small, simple changes can add up to make a big impact, and we’re committed to making fetch more sustainable while giving back to the communities we serve.

To further our mission, we use biodegradable or recycled packaging and work to minimize our carbon footprint by establishing local partnerships and distribution centers across the country. This helps us reduce unnecessary shipping emissions while making it easier for tennis centers and dog owners to join our movement.

We’re proud of how far we’ve come, especially with our most recent partnership with the Dallas Open, where we’re collecting thousands of used tennis balls to keep them out of landfills and into the paws of happy pups. And we’re just getting started. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for more partnerships, more ways to expand our impact, and more ways to make eco-friendly fetch fun the new standard.

What started as a simple way to save money and reduce waste has grown into a mission-driven business that’s helping the environment, giving back to communities, and keeping tails wagging—one repurposed tennis ball at a time.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Let’s just say—fetching success isn’t always easy! Bark Balls started as a passion project, but once I saw its impact on so many levels, I knew I had to go all in. It’s challenging, but honestly, so fun to get creative and solve problems along the way.

One of the biggest hurdles? Wearing all the hats. Logistics, supply chain, partnership outreach…it’s a lot! Unlike a traditional business with predictable inventory, we rely on tennis players, clubs, and major tournaments to supply our balls. Coordinating collections, ensuring quality, and scaling in a way that stays affordable, eco-friendly, and impactful takes serious problem-solving.

Then there’s changing consumer habits. Some dog owners assume only brand-new balls will do. But once they realize Bark Balls are just as fun (if not more slobber-worthy!) and help reduce waste, they’re all in. It’s a mindset shift, but one we’re tackling with storytelling, partnerships, and a whole lot of enthusiasm.

Balancing growth with sustainability is another challenge. We use biodegradable or recycled packaging and minimize our carbon footprint with local distribution hubs, but every decision, from shipping to scaling, requires creativity and commitment.

At the end of the day, it’s hard work, but it’s also a blast. Seeing the impact—fewer balls in landfills, more happy pups, and real contributions to shelters and sustainability efforts—makes every challenge worth it. I’m always looking to expand my team and impact, and I can’t wait to see how far we can take this.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Bark Balls: Game. Set. Fetch.

At Bark Balls, we’re on a mission to make fetch more sustainable, because why should fun come at the expense of the planet? What started as a passion project for my pup, Tilly Ball, has grown into something much bigger: a movement to repurpose tennis balls, reduce waste, and give back to pets, people, and the environment.

Rather than letting perfectly good tennis balls pile up in landfills, we partner with tennis centers, individual players, and major ATP tournaments to collect and clean gently used balls. From there, we package them in biodegradable or recycled materials and send them off to happy pups, all while minimizing our carbon footprint through local distribution hubs across the country.

Bark Balls isn’t just a pet brand—it’s a brand with purpose. We don’t manufacture new waste; we take what’s already out there and give it a second life. Every fetch is a small but meaningful step toward sustainability. A portion of every sale supports animal shelters, environmental nonprofits, and local community initiatives because we believe small, sustainable choices add up to a major impact.

What sets Bark Balls apart is our commitment to sustainability, community-driven impact, and responsible play. We’re not creating new waste—we’re solving a problem. By repurposing used tennis balls, we reduce landfill buildup and promote a circular economy. Our partnerships with tennis tournaments, clubs, and eco-conscious consumers help make fetch greener while supporting rescue pets, reforestation efforts, and local projects. Every aspect of our process, from eco-friendly packaging to local distribution, is designed to minimize environmental impact.

We are always looking for new partnerships, both nationally and at local levels. Whether you’re an individual tennis player with used balls to donate, a large tennis center or tournament, an animal shelter, a pet business, or a dog owner looking for a more sustainable way to play, we want to work with you. Our goal is to create an impact that stretches from your pup to the planet, and we invite you to join our movement. If you’re interested in getting involved, please reach out—we’d love to hear from you.

At Bark Balls, we Give A Bark—about the environment, about reducing waste, and about giving your dog the best play experience possible. Whether you’re a pet owner, a tennis lover, or someone who cares about sustainability, you can be part of the change—one fetch at a time. If your pup loves chasing tennis balls, why not make every fetch count? Game. Set. Fetch.
Learn more at www.bark-balls.com.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Fun Fact: I’m actually a family nurse practitioner, and before Bark Balls, my pup Tilly Ball had an important job of her own—she was a certified therapy animal, bringing comfort and joy to patients in federally qualified health centers. She’s always been passionate about making a difference, and now, as Chief Fetch Officer of Bark Balls, she’s taking her impact to new heights. And as if this whole movement wasn’t meant to be, our last name is Ball, so you could say we were destined to make fetch happen! From comforting patients to leading a sustainability mission, Tilly proves that one dog (and a perfectly fitting last name) can help change the world, one fetch at a time.

Pricing:

• 25-pack Bark Balls: $12.50
• 30-pack Bark Balls: $15
• 50-pack Bark Balls: $25
• 100-pack Bark Balls: $50
• I.e. 50 cents/ball

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.bark-balls.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bark.balls/
• Facebook: http://facebook.com/barkballs
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/barkballs
• Other: https://barkballsstore.etsy.com

Image Credits
Natalie Ball