When it comes to our pets, we want them to feel special, and we will go above and beyond to make sure that happens. While people always talk about how devoted dogs are, we’re also devoted to them! This was a major part of the vision Meredith Bennett had when she created Devoted Human, an online marketplace connecting artists and craftspeople to animal lovers!
“Etsy for pets…or Petsy,” but it was designed specifically to eliminate the frustration that Etsy and Amazon buyers have hunting through tens of thousands of products to track down real handcrafted products.
Devoted Human offers customers a way to find quality handcrafted products while providing artisans a platform to sell their goods. Meredith jokingly calls it “Etsy for pets…or Petsy,” but it was designed specifically to eliminate the frustration that Etsy and Amazon buyers have hunting through tens of thousands of products to track down real handcrafted products. Devoted Human also provides artists and craftsmen another way to sell their goods, so they’re not reduced to selling solely in a crowded marketplace or on their own website.
So what makes someone a Devoted Human? Here’s a short checklist… How many can you check off?
- You LOVE your cat or dog
- You see them as furry family members
- You believe in buying local whenever possible
- You want your pets to have the best – for their health, well-being, and quality of life
- You want to support organizations benefitting the well-being of pets
Being a Devoted Human isn’t one-size-fits-all though! Some support a charity that donates and helps pets. Others might walk dogs from the local shelter. Many simply give their pets lots of love and goodies that they enjoy!
Being a Devoted Human isn’t one-size-fits-all though!
Here are a few easy things you can do to be a Devoted Human:
- Spend quality time with your pets
- Give them praise, love, and attention
- Provide a safe, loving home
- Clean their food and water dishes daily
- Donate or give a little of your time to rescue organizations
- Spay and neuter to reduce the number of unwanted animals
Devoted Human is an amazing business concept that supports pet lovers, American artists, and shelters all at the same time. Located in Asheville, NC, they work with numerous rescue organizations including Asheville Humane Society, Brother Wolf Animal Rescue, Boxer Butts & Other Mutts, and Ahimsa House – non-profit organizations that utilize creative ways to help animals in the community!
So, who are the artists that are working with Devoted Human? One example is Bryant Belin, owner of Beauvivo Soaps. He learned to make soap as a child, working with his grandmother the old-fashioned way, using lye and all-natural ingredients lovingly by hand. He recently decided to start a soap-making business in honor of his grandmother. He proudly shares that his dog soap IS animal tested… on his sweet dog Libby who loves her now shiny fur and healthy skin! Beauvivo provides these amazing pet soaps through Devoted Human.
Another artist and animal lover, Hannah McGehee, makes pottery dog bowls that are specifically weighted to help prevent your dog from pushing the bowl all over the floor while they eat or drink. Having fostered many dogs over the years, Hannah also tilts the sides of the bowls in slightly to help stop long-eared dogs from getting wet or messy ears! These are the types of projects that you can support when purchasing from Devoted Human.
As a small business owner selling handcrafted and custom-made items, it can be a challenge to grow and scale the business. Meredith has found ways to continue her work with craftspeople while working with companies that can handle higher volume. This enables her to be able to support the company’s growing customer base while staying committed to its mission.
Pet Treater is always looking for ways to help the animals in our community, and we believe that businesses that give back should be supported, too!
