Pet clothing for a cause

A special canine clothing collaboration between three accomplished business founders is helping to raise funds for abused and neglected pets.

Dame Denise L’estrange-Corbet, Julie Chapman, and Rachael Staples are creating custom pet apparel for dogs, designed by Mr Soft Top, to raise funds for Pet Refuge.

Pet Refuge offers temporary shelter and care for pets affected by domestic violence, ensuring their well-being while their owners escape abusive situations.

In New Zealand, where pet ownership is prominent, police respond to family violence calls every three minutes.
Recognising this as an issue, dog clothing designer Mr Soft Top will donate 100% of the profits from the special range to Pet Refuge. The group has a purpose-built North Island animal shelter, relocating animals in need of its service there from throughout New Zealand.

Renowned New Zealand fashion designer, and ardent animal lover, Dame Denise enjoyed helping develop the outfits.

Approached by Pet Refuge founder Julie Chapman, Dame Denise lent her expertise to the project enthusiastically.
“It was great fun designing the outfits with Rachael. We did colour matching and went through a lot of fabric swatches until we came to the finished product.” Dame Denise’s own pet pooch, Jethro, a chihuahua rescue dog, features in the promotion photos.

“I thought it was an absolutely brilliant idea – you don’t really think about the pets that are involved in the fallout from domestic abuse. It deserves all the help and funding we can manage, as pets are so important in our lives and give so much love.”

Julie is excited to gain support and much-needed funding. Before the establishment of Pet Refuge in July 2021, a Women’s Refuge study revealed that 53% of surveyed women opted to stay in violent homes due to the lack of alternative options for homing their pets.

“Pets are the silent victims of family violence,” says Julie. “Abusers will physically harm or kill pets, deny them food or vet care, or leave them out in the cold, to punish the victim.”

The Pet Refuge shelter houses dogs, cats, birds, and other small pets, and has been designed to give animals comfort and security.

Wire cages are nowhere to be found, the enclosures have underfloor heating, are specially designed to give a space to sleep, play and feel secure, and includes a play area.

Larger animals including horses, cows, sheep, and goats are cared for via a network of regional safe farms.
The actual location of the shelter is kept confidential to protect the safety of the pets, women and children assisted by Pet Refuge.

 

WORLD Loves Mr Soft Top x Pet Refuge Navy Weekend Sweater