RESQ}pup leashes are made of marine grade rope that has been hand spliced and whipped just the way a sailor would. Everything is hand-done and made right here in the USA. Each leash has solid brass hardware as well as a hand-stamped leather tag. The colors are limited to try to keep with the marine palette.

As owner Genny explains, “RESQ}pup is dedicated to those who have saved a dog’s life by adopting their animals from shelters/rescues. I started fostering animals from high kill shelters and with that came my RESQ}pup leash. I could never find a leash that was durable, good for dog beach, affordable and still stylish. As a design junkie, I admit, I was picky, so as a way to save money and have something original and durable, I created this leash!”

In addition to trying to motivate people to adopt shelter dogs, they donate a portion of every sale to a different local shelter or rescue organization each month.

Buy their leashes on Etsy.

Brooklyn’s Found My Animal is using style and good design to help homeless pets across the country. The company, which donates a portion of their profits to shelter pets, makes “accessories for adopted animals and their people.” It seems they’ve definitely put their collection together with me in mind, as they’ve got a shop full of pretty things I want to call my own.

You may have heard of Found My Animal before, as their efforts to encourage and support pet adoption have received a decent amount of press attention. Upon visiting their site for the first time in a while, though, I was stoked to see an updated collection of collars, leashes, harnesses, and an awesome tote (with a built-in leash) that’s seriously calling my name.

Found My Animal’s products are all US made, often from recycled, upcycled, or reclaimed materials (such as their black and white leashes made from 100% recycled PET). All their hardware is marine-grade, and each collar, harness, and leash boasts a numbered tag of brass or aluminum — signifying the uniqueness of each pet and allowing them to keep a tally of all the pets they and their customers have helped find homes.

Found’s web site even contains a gallery of adopted pets and their stories, encouraging others to give adopted animals a chance and discover what wonderful pets they become.

You can take a look at Found’s awesome collection here, and check their blog to learn about all the rescue and charity efforts in which they’ve participated.

Seriously — that bag up there. Want it.

Gray is one of those colors that instantly makes me think of winter. Mungo & Maud has a great collection of gray dog accessories including a leash, collar and knit sweater. There is something sophisticated about Mungo & Maud’s accessories that blur the lines between modern and traditional.

The Gourdo from Ruffwear is — well — shaped like a gourd. Although now that I see them all grouped together like this they kinda look like multicolored sperm. Anyway, it is made from natural latex rubber, a renewable and sustainable resource and the black one contains 30% reclaimed-rubber.

Lately, I’ve really been into braided and knotted collars and leashes. I don’t know what it is, but they sure look nice. I love these Sailor’s Knot leads from Mascot. How cute are the matching collars with the bone buckle?

I’m digging these natural rope dog leashes from Mungo & Maud.