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The 12-Year-Old Boy Who Designs Bow Ties To Help Dogs Get Adopted

The 12-Year-Old Boy Who Designs Bow Ties To Help Dogs Get Adopted

Young entrepreneur Darius Brown is the founder of Beaux and Paws where he creates handmade bow ties for dogs and cats that are in shelters

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A 12-year-old boy is making bow ties for dogs and cats that are living in shelters in a bid to help get them adopted and now he's planning on visiting several shelters to provide help.

Darius Brown from Newark, New Jersey, was just two when he was diagnosed with speech, comprehension, and fine motor skills delay. As a result, he began helping his sister by cutting fabric in the hopes that it would improve his fine motor skills.

Then in 2017, the youngster was moved when he heard that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, animals were being transferred to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) in New York.

Upon learning that thousands of animals are put to sleep in shelters if they've not been adopted in time, Darius decided that making the bow ties would give the animals more chance of being adopted faster - and that's when Beaux & Paws was born.

Speaking to TODAY, he said: "It helps the dog look noticeable, very attractive. It helps them find a forever, loving home ... I love everything about dogs and cats."

Darius hard at work.
Instagram/sirdariusbrown

Darius, who has donated countless bow ties to animal shelters and adoption centres all over the USA and UK, set up a GoFundMe page to raise money so that he can go and volunteer in a bid to help get as many dogs as he can adopted this summer.

So far, the young man has raised over $10,000 (£8,000) and has received outstanding achievement awards for his efforts. He was even recognised by former US President Barack Obama who sent him a letter for his commitment to service.

On his GoFundMe page, he wrote: "Sir Darius's mission is to help dogs get adopted and find their FUR-ever loving homes and help save their lives.

One of the adorable dogs wearing a bow tie.
Darius Brown

"Summer is upon us and Sir Darius's PAW-some mission is to visit 5+ states to volunteer at different shelters and adoption centers assisting with the care of their shelter dogs, helping with adoption events as well as getting them cute and dapper in his snazzy bow ties in hopes of getting as many dogs as he can adopted this summer."

The money donated will help to do a number of things including: purchase supplies to create more bow ties, buy a new sewing machine, pay shipping fees (to ship bow ties to shelters and adoption centers that he can't visit), transportation/arrangements to 5+ states to volunteer at and to promote adoption events at adoption centers and shelters.

It will also fund his transportation to and from local shelters, enable him to register as a 501C/LLC and the creation of a website.

To donate to the GoFundMe page, click here.

Featured Image Credit: Darius Brown

Topics: Community, Animals, Dogs