A little boy couldn’t stand seeing shelter dogs ignored — so he came up with a $25 idea that helped them find loving homes

'I received a letter of recognition from former President Barack Obama. I was just amazed,' Brown expressed.

PUBLISHED 10 HOURS AGO

(L) A mixed-breed dog looking sad behind a fence in a dog shelter, (R) Boy hugging a German shepherd dog. (Representative Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Sergio Mendoza Hochmann, (R) Westend61)

A young boy is reshaping the adoption trends in his country through a small gesture with a significant impact that has even inspired former President Barack Obama. Sir Darius Brown, founder of Beaux & Paws, has come up with a brilliant plan to help shelter pets find safe and loving homes using his artistic pursuits. The young man’s efforts stem from a heartbreaking reality of shelter pets being treated as non-priority in the face of crisis. Brown wished to change that, not by asking donations, but with a $25 idea that has helped him accomplish the unthinkable.

Shih tzus in bow ties. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Sam Lion)

Brown had gotten into sewing early in his life, and it was about time he worked on creating something for the greater good. His small business, Beaux & Paws, focuses on designing and creating bow ties for shelter pets. A rather unique endeavor, his movement Project Pawsome aims to steer people’s attention towards animals in need, especially during critical situations. Brown noticed that animals were neglected during the wrath of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, which terrified the entire nation in 2018, as reported by WTNH News8. While rescues were organized in all affected regions, they were focused on saving human lives over animals. This bothered Brown, prompting him to take action to protect the innocent lives of animals.

A person sewing. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Photo by nappy)

He began sewing bow ties for shelter pets and raised over $500,000 in funds to support these pets and increase their chances of being adopted. “Bow ties help all pets look dapper and adorable. And for shelter pets, this helps them get seen and adopted by their fur-ever family,” the website for Beaux & Paws stated. Brown vowed to donate a bow tie to a shelter pet for every bow tie purchased. The accessory is generally priced at $25 to make it accessible for everyone. Brown, who is a freshman at Morehouse College, began sewing bow ties early in his life. “I actually started off making bow ties for people,” he said of his business during a YouTube interview with the outlet.

Groomer stroking a Border Collie dog.(Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Manu Vega) — Staff stroking a Border Collie dog.(Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Manu Vega)

Brown credited his sewing skills to his sister apparently passed down a “family legacy.” He explained, “My grandmother taught my sister, and then my sister taught me.” While his sister made hairballs for girls at school, Brown knew he had to take on something different and unique. Inspired by all his experiences, the talented boy even wrote a book, Project PAWsome: Saving Shelter Pets One Bow Tie at a Time, which is based on heartwarming stories of pet adoption and rescue journeys. “I received a letter of recognition from former President Barack Obama…I was just amazed,” Brown expressed. The letter motivated him to work harder and find other ways to help animals.

As a college student, Brown talked about his share of challenges as a business owner and animal advocate. He disclosed that while sewing as many bow ties has become difficult, he has partnered with a local factory to help him deliver the bow ties and remain persistent in his cause for the greater good.