In today’s world, pollution has become a serious problem. It’s not just people who are affected. Our pets, especially dogs, also suffer from breathing dirty air. In many parts of the world, wildfires, smog, and poor air quality are making it hard for everyone to breathe. But while we can wear masks to protect ourselves, what about our furry friends? Dogs have sensitive noses.
They breathe in more air than humans because of their strong sense of smell. That means they are more at risk when the air quality gets bad.
This is the problem that K9 Mask tries to solve. The founders of K9 Mask, Kirby Holmes and Evan Daugherty, created a face mask just for dogs. It might sound funny at first. A dog wearing a mask? But their idea actually makes a lot of sense. The K9 Mask protects dogs from smoke, ash, smog, dust, and other air pollutants.
On Season 12 of Shark Tank, they presented their product to the Sharks. They asked for $200,000 in exchange for 20% equity. While some Sharks thought the idea was too niche, one Shark saw the potential. Daymond John believed in their mission. He offered $200,000 but wanted 45% of the company. After talking, they finally made a deal for 40% equity.
This episode showed how a strange idea can make a lot of sense with the right explanation. Now, let’s explore their journey in more detail.
K9 Mask Net Worth Shark Tank Update 2025
Kirby and Evan were looking for an investment of $200k in exchange for 20% equity in the company. At the time of the episode, they valued their company at $1 million. Kirby and Evan successfully secured a deal with Daymond for an investment of $200k for 40% equity in the company. The investment adjusted the company’s net worth to around $500k. After the show was aired, the company experienced a good boost in exposure. As per my rough estimate, the current net worth of K9 Mask is around $1.8 million.
Shark(s) name | Offer & Demand | Counteroffer | Accepted? |
Daymond John | $200,000 for 45% equity | 1# $200,000 for 30% of equity 2# $200,000 for 40% of equity | Yes |
Lori Greiner | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kevin O’Leary | Out | N/A | N/A |
Blake Mycoskie | Out | N/A | N/A |
Mark Cuban | Out | N/A | N/A |
Kirby Holmes and Evan Daugherty Backstory + Their Initial Pitch
Kirby Holmes and Evan Daugherty are dog lovers. They care deeply about animals. One day, Kirby saw how wildfire smoke was harming the air quality in California. He noticed that while people were protecting themselves with masks, dogs had no such option. He started wondering why no one had made an air filter mask for dogs. That’s when the idea for K9 Mask was born.
They spent months designing the mask. They wanted it to be safe, breathable, and comfortable for dogs to wear. They also needed to make sure it could actually filter harmful particles. The final product included an N95-type filter. It was washable and came in different sizes to fit dogs of all breeds. In the early days, they faced many problems. People laughed at the idea. Some even said it was silly.
But they believed in their mission. They also didn’t have a big budget. Most of their early funding came from a Kickstarter campaign. That campaign helped them raise enough money to produce the first batch of masks.
When they came to Shark Tank, they were confident but also nervous. They believed the Sharks would see the value of their idea. Kirby and Evan explained how they had already made over $200,000 in sales within 14 months. They said the COVID-19 pandemic helped boost their sales because people started thinking more about health and safety, even for pets.
They told the Sharks that they were asking for $200,000 in exchange for 20% of their business. They wanted the money to help scale production and improve marketing. They also hoped to bring on a Shark who could help with branding and expanding their reach.
Queries + Shark’s Responses, and Final Deal
The first reaction from the Sharks was mixed. Some of them smiled or chuckled when they first saw the product. A dog mask isn’t something you see every day. But once Kirby and Evan explained the purpose, the Sharks started to take them seriously.
Mark Cuban was the first to speak. He asked about the size of the market. He wanted to know if there were enough dog owners who would actually buy something like this. Kirby explained that there are millions of dogs in the U.S., and many of them live in places with poor air quality. Still, Mark didn’t feel the market was big enough. He said he was out.
Lori Greiner liked the passion behind the idea. She agreed that pets are like family. But she was concerned that the product was too niche. She said it might be hard to convince people to buy a mask for their dog, especially when most people still don’t wear masks themselves. So Lori also decided to go out.
Kevin O’Leary wanted to know about the cost. He asked how much it cost to make one mask and how much they sold it for. Kirby said it cost around $8 to make, and they sold it for $59. Kevin didn’t like the idea that the price was too high. He felt most dog owners wouldn’t want to spend that much. He decided to pass.
Daniel Lubetzky asked about customer feedback. He was curious if dog owners were actually using the masks and if the dogs tolerated wearing them. Kirby explained that they had many satisfied customers and even showed pictures of dogs wearing the masks. Daniel was impressed but still didn’t think the idea would reach mass adoption. He said he was out.
Daymond John had a different reaction. He said that sometimes, niche products can be very successful if marketed the right way. He appreciated the work they had put into the design and branding. He also liked that they had done $200,000 in sales without outside help. Daymond offered them $200,000 but wanted 45% of the company.
Kirby and Evan were not happy giving up almost half of their business. They discussed it privately and came back with a counteroffer. They asked if Daymond would accept 40% instead. Daymond agreed. They shook hands and made a deal right there.
Product Availability
K9 Mask is a special air filter mask made for dogs. It is designed with a carbon air filter and a washable design. The mask covers a dog’s snout and helps protect them from harmful air. This includes smoke from wildfires, city smog, dust, pollen, and even bacteria. The filters used in the mask are similar to the N95 masks used by people.
The mask comes in different sizes, so it can fit small, medium, or large dogs. It also comes in different colors. The design is soft and secure, so it doesn’t hurt the dog while wearing it. The mask also has adjustable straps to keep it in place. Some customers even said their dogs got used to it quickly.
As of now, the product is available on the K9 Mask website. They also sell it on Amazon. You can also find matching human masks if you want to coordinate with your pet. The price may seem a little high, but many pet owners say it is worth it to protect their dogs in poor air conditions.
What Happened To The K9 Mask After Shark Tank?
After their Shark Tank episode aired, K9 Mask saw a huge spike in interest. Many viewers visited their website and bought the product. Even though the deal with Daymond didn’t go through, the exposure helped them grow. They used the money they made to expand their product line and improve the quality of their masks.
They also started offering more colors and sizes. Today, K9 Mask is still in business. Their website is active, and they continue to take orders. They have also expanded their online presence and have a strong following on social media. They use Instagram and Facebook to connect with customers and share updates.
The company has also launched some new products. This includes matching masks for humans, so pet owners and their dogs can look alike while staying protected. As of 2024, K9 Mask continues to operate and sell products across the U.S. and even to international customers. They’ve proven that even a niche idea can work if you believe in it and present it well.
Conclusion
The journey of K9 Mask on Shark Tank was a unique one. It started with a strange idea: a face mask for dogs. But Kirby Holmes and Evan Daugherty believed in their mission. They wanted to help protect pets from harmful air. Even though some of the Sharks didn’t see the potential, Daymond John did. He made a deal with the founders for $200,000 in exchange for 40% equity.
While that deal didn’t close after the show, K9 Mask still gained a lot of success. The company got a lot of attention, made strong sales, and expanded its product line. Today, they are still in business and helping dogs breathe easier. Their story shows that even an unusual idea can make a difference. With passion, planning, and persistence, Kirby and Evan turned their strange idea into a real business.
K9 Mask is now protecting pets across the country and proving that no idea is too small if it solves a real problem.

Hey, I’m Amna Habib, an undergraduate student pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. Shark Tank has always been one of my favorite TV shows because it offers a unique glimpse into the world of entrepreneurship. The way entrepreneurs present innovative solutions to everyday problems aligns with my academic interests and fuels my curiosity about business strategies. Each pitch showcases creativity and strategic decision-making, which I find both insightful and inspiring. Watching the show has deepened my passion for business and motivated me to explore the world of entrepreneurship even further. Beyond business and writing, I love food, shopping, and spending time with my friends and family.