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Giving Back


A portion of every purchase goes straight back to our Spotlight Charities. Yes, that means every two months we cut them a check and send it there way! It’s Pet Parent Apparel that meets the needs of the pet parents by not just supplying you with a statement on your sleeve, but by actually helping great causes we meet along the way. After rescuing Sadie, we knew Winks and Whiskers had to be more than just about a trendy design or in-season-saying, we had to make a difference.


Through rescuing Sadie, education from events, and meeting amazing animal advocates, we have learned so much about the current conditions our four legged friends have to endure—dogs and cats alike. Conditions such as animal abuse, puppy-mills (in your own state), high kill shelters, lack of education on how to treat a pet, just to name a few. As a family who loves animals and runs a business with a voice, we want to bring awareness to these injustices our silent fur-friends endure and help stop them forever.

Every single one of our Spotlight Charities are no kill, promotes animal advocacy, and works towards a better life for the animals they are helping.  These volunteers are the heroes our pets deserve, and can tell you from their personal experience that it’s not easy coming across abused strays found in alleyways. Or coming to work with a once-loved pet at their doorsteps in dire conditions. We’ve since learned:

  • Approximately 6.5 million companion animals enter U.S. animal shelters nationwide every year.

  • Each year, approximately 1.5 million shelter animals are euthanized (670,000 dogs and 860,000 cats).

  • Approximately 40% of dog owners and 46% of cat owners learned about their pet through word of mouth. (Source: APPA)

  • Of the estimated 8 million pets who enter U.S. shelters every year, only half of them will make it out. The other 4 million are euthanized for medical or behavioral reasons or to make space for even more homeless pets.

  • Owned cats and dogs generally live longer, healthier lives than strays.

  • Only 10% of the animals received by shelters have been spayed or neutered. 75% of owned pets are neutered.

And one that speaks to us:

  • Black Dog Syndrome: In a survey, Petfinder member shelter and rescue groups reported that most pets are listed for 12.5 weeks on Petfinder, whereas, less-adoptable pets (such as black, senior, and special needs pets) spend almost four times as long on Petfinder. This goes beyond a super popular site like Petfinder!

  • Sources: https://www.aspca.org/animal-homelessness/shelter-intake-and-surrender/pet-statistics, www.petsmartcharities.org, www.petfinder.com 



Our Spotlight Charities are chosen from a mix of referrals, meeting volunteers from their organization, and sometimes it’s through our travels. While driving through Blythe, California, Eric noticed a little dog with his leash dragging on the ground roaming right outside the highway exit. We turned around, parked our RV, and started searching for dog. Once found, he was nervous and afraid. Kayla took a plate of Sadie’s food and slowly approached the lost pup, and after several attempts she was able to grab his leash. In an instant, he transformed into a loving pup. We knew right then he was missing his home. He came right into our RV and spent the night with us as we attempted to find his owner. His collar had no tags on it so we searched lost pet forums to the late night hours. We were so sure he had an owner by the way he still had a leash on and his good temperament. It was our mission to get him back to his family.


That next morning we took him to a vet to have his chip scanned. He had a chip and an owner! What a relief. We brought the information to the local shelter once it opened, and dropped him off thinking his owner would be in that day to pick their fur-ever best friend up. We called a few day later to hear his chip was off by a number so they were still trying to contact the real owner. A week later, we called. The actual owner “lost” him while traveling. He didn’t want to drive back to get the poor guy. Faith in humanity lost. He was still in the shelter. Legally the owner had two weeks to pick him up, after that he would be up for adoption and in risk of being put down. We didn’t think at the time we were dropping him off at the local shelter he would ever have a chance of being put down. Second week later, he was still there! It was time to act. That same week, a San Diego based charity reached out to us. Angels of Rawley Foundation who are entirely foster based. They were more than happy to step in to help. Plans made, we drove back and picked him up from the shelter, as we couldn’t risk keeping him there any longer. We actually had to adopt him to transfer him to the ARF foster family. Once he came out, he was riddled with ticks—this dog did not deserve this. Before we left we demanded to have them removed and treated with tick medicine. We couldn’t risk Sadie’s health too. 

This day long journey took us to a McDonalds parking lot where we met up with a caring women who would be Bruce’s (as we called him) foster mom. We felt so relieved he was safe and tucked away at a comfy foster home. A couple weeks later, and he was adopted by a cute little family of three! Faith in humanity restored. It was because of their decisive actions, willingness of the volunteers, and their love for dogs Bruce is now in a loving home. This is why we give back.


It’s the love of these shelters and volunteers that give our silent companions a fighting chance. Every single day, these volunteers go out of their way to make a difference and save a life. Or provide a temporary home. Or walk them around events to help them find their forever home. If you know of a shelter, program, or any non-profit that does just that, please feel free to contact us today. We would love to give back!