See how the Brooklyn-based brand is creating awareness for rescue animals (and fashion-forward pooches) one leash at a time

By Sarah Emily Gilbert

Image Courtesy of Found My Animal on Instagram 

Some things are meant to be, just ask Bethany Obrecht and Anna Conway, cofounders of the pet accessory brand Found My Animal. In 2006, Obrecht and Conway ran into each other while walking their rescue Chihuahuas who were both named Walter. As if that wasn’t enough of a sign, the two also went to art school and were looking to use their craft in order to help animals. Thanks to Obrecht and Conway’s eye for design (and love for all things named Walter), they were able to launch Found My Animal.

Their debut product, the Adjustable Natural Leash, was a hit among fellow dog owners, and come 2015, it remains the fan favorite. Their nautical-themed leashes have become synonymous with the Found My Animal brand as they combine form and function in order to create a simplistic, functional, and eye-catching product. Know for their durability, each leash is made from traditional fisherman rope woven in New England and hand-spliced and stitched with local wax thread. Available in a variety of colors, Found My Animal’s leashes are adjustable so they can fit around people’s bodies if they’re looking to walk their dog hands-free. Due to its overwhelming success, Found My Animal has expanded its line to include collars, harnesses, and other handsome pet accessories, all of which not only look good on rescue animals, but also “do good” for them.

Found My Animal’s leashes, collars, and harnesses are designed for rescue dogs that found a new home. Each sale supports organizations like ASPCA and 2 Million Dogs that bring awareness to homeless animals. If Obrecht’s two Waggy Tail Rescue dogs named Claude and Henri, and her current foster, Picasso (who’s available for adoption here) doesn’t evidence her passion for animals, then the message behind her brand certainly does.

“Since I was a child, I have always loved animals, especially dogs. I began fostering animals for NYC shelters and realized that I could make a bigger difference by bringing attention to the subject, and urging others to #adoptdontshop. My background is art and design, and I felt that by creating an accessory that could help spark the conversations needed for change, it would make a real impact on a worldwide scale. I am greatly influenced by early graffiti artists and really appreciate underlying meanings behind things in general. Found My Animal leashes carries the message all over…and I think it’s really wonderful to watch.”

It’s equally wonderful to watch the daily efforts of Found My Animal’s team of 12 people from Obrecht and Conway’s local community in Brooklyn thoughtfully hand make their products. Although the team’s process is top secret, according to Obrecht, “[they] put every effort into creating what [they] think are the most beautiful accessories in the world.”

Every Found My Animal leash comes with an individually numbered, stamped tag that reads, “FOUND” as a reminder of the animals rescue past. Leash number one was given to the people who adopted one of Found My Animal’s first foster dogs, Daisy. Although she has since passed, Obrecht and Conway are close to reaching their 40,000^th hand made leash, and therefore, helping their 40,000^th animal promote awareness to rescues.

Found My Animal consistently surprises with amazing new creations like ombre leashes, dog beds, and canvas water bowls. Finding inspiration everywhere, Obrecht is always thinking of a new product idea. Their latest is a beautiful new bag coming out for fall. Until then, the dog-lovers here at Witherspoon Media Group have hand selected some of Found My Animal’s finest products to add to our online store, A Store by Princeton Magazine. After all, what’s better than an attractive pet (and fashion-forward owner) that is also supporting a doggone good cause?