A 13-year-old boy, Sir Darius Brown, is handmaking bow ties for shelter dogs and cats to help them look their best and find their special forever homes.
Following Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma in 2017, Brown realized thousands of animals are displaced each year because of natural disasters. When the New Jersey teen learned about euthanasia due to animal overcrowding in some shelters, he decided to do whatever he could to help.
His motto became, “You don’t have to have money to help someone.”
Brown, who discovered his passion for sewing at age eight, first made bow ties for animals at the ASPCA in New York City. By crafting such adorable accessories and drawing attention to homeless cats and dogs, he hoped to speed up the pet adoption process.
He has since created over 500 bow ties and now has his own company, Beaux and Paws.
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The young man‘s creations reach cats and dogs across the U.K. and the United States. He has donated bow ties to several dozen animals across at least 20 shelters, his mom, Joy, told CNN. Brown’s ultimate goal is to make bow ties for adoptable pets in all 50 states.
“He now has this thing where he spins the wheel,” his sister, Dazhai Shearz, told WCBS, “and he selects a state and animal shelter.”
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Brown’s accomplishments have earned him ample recognition and several awards, including a Presidential Commendation from Barack Obama in 2018. GoFundMe also featured him as its January 2020 Kid Hero.
His motto holds true and shows the world that helping people and animals is sometimes as simple as following your own passion in a generous way.
Brown posts his latest activities and crafts on his Instagram, which has over 50,000 followers.













Amazing & a very big thank you!
Thank you 13 year old who has the compassion and knowledge to do the right thing for helpless animals.
You’ll be very successful in life because of your kindness.
TO DARIUS: THANK YOU FOR BEING SO KIND & GENEROUS OF YOUR TIME TO MAKE SUCH SPECIAL BOW TIE GIFTS FOR SHELTER DOGS. GOLD STAR FOR YOU!!
TO DARIUS: THANK YOU FOR BEING SO KIND & GENEROUS OF YOUR TIME TO MAKE SUCH SPECIAL BOW TIE GIFTS FOR SHELTER DOGS. GOLD STAR FOR YOU!!
Sir Darius Brown you rock! You are an asset to the world! With so much sadness involving our beautiful animals, reading about you has put a smile on my face and joy in my heart. What a fine young man you are! I love the name of your company, very creative. Amazing, Amazing, Amazing… A heartfelt “well done” to the people who are bringing this boy up!
That’s so amazing! What a sweet story! Thank you
I’m just so sorry all this cruelty happens to these innocent animals!
Animals have emotions and feel hurt and pain! Why on God’s green earth would it be preferable to starve and beat a living thing that cannot speak but is cooperative enough to let a human come near it?
C’est le genre de fils que toute maman rêverait d’avoir!
Félicitations aux parents!!!
Un grand MERCI à ce jeune garçon!! un bel exemple à suivre!!!
I read about Sir Darius a while ago and love that not only did he do a nontraditional thing at age 8-sewing, which boys do not typically do, but also that he used and still uses his skill to aid animals in need. Those in shelters need all the help they can get.
This is one young man that any parent would be proud to call their child!
This is one young man that any parent would be proud to call their child!
What a kind young man. Wish we could duplicate him tenfold. Danius Brown you are a special person. Thank you.
Bless him
What a sweet boy. May life bring your gentle soul all the happiness and love that you rightly deserved.
I wish I could meet you and talk to you – and learn from you, Darius. But unfortunately, we live too far apart (I am from Germany). But if you ever read this or someone tells you about my lines, the news has been spread about you even in old Europe and I adore what you do. You are an inspiration. God bless you.
Sir Darius Brown, you have such a kind, sweet heart. If everyone could be like you, this world would be a wonderful place at all times. Stay true to yourself and your passion, you have and will continue to make a difference.
Agree & wish i knew how to sew. Just can’t get the hang of it.
Whst a wonderful young man. 🐶🐕🐾❤❤
Thank you Darius, your parents have brought you up really well. Don’t change.
What a sweet young gentleman ! The animals will surely KNOW that they are loved. A Bow- tie will make them even more attractive, and build up their confidence ! It will help them to find Forever Homes ! Well Done !
God will bless them both ( the boy and the animals ), Abundantly !!
This is heartwarming,indeed. What a sweet young gentleman ! It’s also profound. Many homeless dogs and cats will find Loving Forever Homes, because of this young fellow”s. compassion and generality.
Well DONE ! I’m sure it will also help increase the animals” self-esteem,as well
May God Bless You ! And Bless these loving animals.
Well done, young man. I wish they were all as compassionate as you at these shelters.
SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU SIR DARIUS!! YOU RESTORE MY FAITH IN HUMANS!! LUCKY PETS THEY ARE TO HAVE YOU AS THEIR LOYAL FRIEND AND SUPPORTER!! THE BOW TIES ARE ADORABLE !! ALMOST AS CUTE AS THE PETS THEY PERK UP!!
Clone this young man!
Sir Darius Brown is awesome. If only all kids had his compassion and the impetus to put compassion into action. Gotta love this kid! He is an inspiration for all!
Sir Darius Brown is awesome. If only all kids had his compassion and the impetus to put compassion into action. Gotta love this kid! He is an inspiration for all!
This is so wonderful and a pleasure to read such awesomeness thank you young man