Tri-County Animal Rescue Saving Dogs and Cats with Stylish Bow Ties

Sir Darius Brown

The luncheon for Tri-County Animal Rescue held at the Upper East Side penthouse of Andrea Stark was a fashionable fete for both supporters of the organization and their furry companions. Teenage entrepreneur Sir Darius Brown, recipient of the Tri-County Animal Rescue Young Leadership Award and founder of Beaux & Paws, had an array of pet-friendly handmade bow ties on display, bringing the soiree to even more stylish and life-saving heights. Sir Darius’ bow ties, designed to fit any cat or dog, are not only fun but also raise funds and awareness for animals who are in need of their forever home. In addition to Stark, the event was also co-chaired by Jean Shafiroff, Janna Bullock, and Adrien Arpel, with many notable guests in attendance and of course, some very posh pups.

Animal Advocate Andrea Stark

As an animal lover with two of her own rescue dogs, Andrea Stark has been involved with Tri-County Animal Rescue, a 100% No-Kill, 501(c)3 non-profit animal shelter for ten years. She continues advocating for voiceless animals across the country and just recently saved a lab named Lucky one hour before he was set to be euthanized in Texas, a state which has some of the harshest kill laws in the country. Since then, this philanthropist and advocate have rescued countless other canines.

Princess Diana Leadership Award

After a story popped up on her phone about a young man who was helping animals get adopted by sending his bow ties to shelters where neglected pups who were used to being overlooked were now being recognized thanks to their paw-positively fabulous new accessories, Stark knew she had to call Sir Darius. The 14-year, who currently attends The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, has already received multiple awards, most notably the Princess Diana Leadership Award and the Daily Points of Light Award founded by former President George H. W. Bush, which recognizes and honors individuals for their exemplary service. President Obama even sent the energetic entrepreneur a heartwarming letter, which Andrea read aloud to guests during the event: “I wanted to reach out to commend you for your commitment to community service… it’s clear you are doing your part to look out for your fellow citizens…know that I am rooting for you in all that you do.”

Sir Darius, who started making his own bow ties at the age of eight, has always been a fan of fashion. “When you’re walking around you don’t necessarily see a person wearing a bow tie, so it automatically stands out and shows your character,” he says. “I was diagnosed with a speech comprehension and fine motor skills delay and I would always see my sister on a sewing machine making hair bows, but she wouldn’t let me use her machine because she was nervous, I would hurt myself. I did play with the fabrics though!”

Recognized by Presidents Barack Obama & George H.W. Bush

This passionate pet advocate who has been recognized by presidents might have stayed away from his sister’s sewing machine back then, but he is now endorsed by none other than Singer Sewing Machines. It was following the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma that he knew he had to do something after realizing the need to help dogs and cats who were being transported from Texas to New York. Sir Darius wound up donating his first set of bow ties to the ASPCA and the rest is Haute – and helpful – bow tie history. “I wanted to make it my mission to help as many animals as possible after learning that the shelters killed the dogs and cats after a certain amount of time.”

“PAW-SOME MISSION”

Since that first bow tie, Sir Darius has appeared on CNN, The Today Show, in People Magazine, and other national outlets. His “PAW-SOME MISSION” has now helped countless animals get adopted – and he isn’t done yet when it comes to making a difference! “I want to continue helping dogs and cats by making sure they’re taken care of. I’m really into fashion as well so I’m sticking to both passions.” One of his favorite stories was hearing that a dog who had been living in a shelter for five years was adopted just three weeks after he donated one of his bow ties. Darius’ passion has even prompted others at his school to help find ways to cover sponsor fees for dogs staying in animal shelters so that they can find homes faster.

“A lot of kids don’t have a path, but Darius has a path, and that path is to do something for animals that don’t have a voice,” explains Andrea. “He is such a great young man with such a great mission. Our latest problem is Covid dogs. With Darius’ help, we have to get this out there. A dog is not just somebody you hurt or abandoned. You have to have some type of commitment, or at least not send them to kill shelters. I’m currently trying to get a 15-month-old Bernedoodle adopted as well as other animals that have just been abandoned.”

London Jewelers

At the end of the intimate conversation and Q&A, Sir Darius was presented with a watch from Candy Udell, president of London Jewelers – and major animal advocate – in recognition of all he has done. Guests were also greeted by two adorable pups who looked even cuter in their bow ties! Allison Monaco, who runs Jake’s Rescue Ranch in Nassau County, brought the two animals who are currently up for adoption. Others in attendance included Prince Dimitri of Yugoslavia, Consuelo Vanderbilt Costin, Sharon Bush, Wendy Diamond, Andrea Warshaw-Wernick, Kathy Gantz, Liliana Cavendish, Maria Fishel, and Pamela Morgan.

tricountyanimalrescue.com