12-Year-Old Designs Bow Ties to Help Shelter Pets Find Forever Homes

Darius Brown of Newark, New Jersey, has a passion for animals and has turned that passion into a “dress for success” program for shelter animals.

Darius donates one-of-a-kind bow ties that he makes by hand to rescue organizations across the country. But this idea actually began as a way to help Darius. He was diagnosed with speech, comprehension, and fine motor skills delays at 2 years old, so his mother and sister highly and diligently encouraged his development.

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First stop of my #PAW-some Mission is here in my hometown at the Associated Humane Society. These three are so fun and playful and they have a lot of energy. I enjoyed the time I spent with them. I even got a chance to name one of them, “Parker”. He had on the Marvel bow tie. Parker and I formed a bond. He sat in my lap and wanted me to rub him. He did not want me to leave. He whimpered as I walked away. It broke my heart. I did not want to leave him either. Parker and his friends needs a loving home. If you or someone you know would like to adopt any one of the dogs pictured here, you can email me at [email protected] or contact the Associated Humane Society at:973.824.7080.@ahsnewark #sirdariusbrown #beauxandpaws #adoptdontshop #adoptapet #savealife #saveapet #newark #nj #doglover #bow tie #ilovedogs #dogs #humanesociety #rescuedogs #rescuedogsofinstagram #rescuedogsrule #shelterdogsrock #bekind #giveback #dapperdogs #divadogs

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So Darius began to assist his sister in making ribbons for her clients in cosmetology school. He improved his fine motor skills by cutting ribbons and sewing fabric together to help her out, which ultimately helped him improve his motor skills.

He then began to make his own bow ties that he wore on the regular. People would stop him on the street and ask him about them, so he started a custom bow tie company called Beaux & Paws to make bow ties for people and their pets.

When hurricanes Irma and Harvey hit, Darius decided to take it upon himself to help the shelter pets in the affected areas avoid euthanization by donating his handcrafted bow ties to shelters to help the animals get adopted as well as raise money for organizations that help shelter animals around the country.

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I had the most amazing time visiting @streettails in Philadelphia today. The staff is amazingly friendly and the dogs and cats are well taken care of. They have some loving, energetic, and playful dogs just waiting for a loving forever home. Old Glory (white pup) is very calm and lovable, Hedgehog (Brown dog) is just as loving and so cute and adorable, and Tarmac (black pup) is very playful and affectionate. If you live in the area and would like to adopt a dog or know someone who’s looking to adopt please consider visiting: Street Tails Animal Rescue 1030 N. 2nd Street Unit 401 Philadelphia, PA 19123 . . . . . #pawsomemission #streettails #streettailsanimalrescue #animalrescue #dogs #cats #dog rescue#catrescue bowtie #pawitforward #oldglorystreettails #tarmacstreettails #hedgehogstreettails #doggybowties #bowtiessavelives #dapperdog #divadog #philadelphia #pa #godswork #onamission #savethedogs #savethecats #adoptdontshop #ilovedogs #mansbestfriend #beauxandpaws #sirdariusbrown

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His feat even caught the attention of former U.S. President Barack Obama who wrote Darius a letter applauding his efforts.

This summer, the New Jersey native plans to travel to at least five different states to visit as many shelters as possible so he can personally donate bow ties and assist in adoption events.

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