What started as a labor of love for one dog has grown to a sizable dress-selling operation.
Not phrases you ever thought you’d see together? Lesa Shepherd, the founder of Gowns for Hounds, envisioned the connection between a used formalwear auction and grants to assist low-income pet owners.
Gowns for Hounds will host its first gown sale Saturday at the former J Jill storefront in Newport News.
The premise for Gowns for Hounds, which is based in York County, benefits both humans and animals. The charity collects donations of dresses and other materials, sells them at low prices for young women who might not be able to afford retail rates, and awards the proceeds as mini-grants to pet owners who need help covering their animals’ veterinary costs.
Shepherd admitted she had not thought about animal charity until a little over a year ago, when she lost her beloved Boston Terrier, named Butler, to illness.
“When something impacts you personally, it causes you to think about things in a different way and that’s what happened here.”
Fortunate she could provide for Butler’s care, Shepherd wanted to do something for those without the means to cover pricey vet bills.
Gowns for Hounds was incorporated, and began taking donations, but Shepherd did not anticipate the outpouring of support the organization would receive. The total so far: 533 gowns.
“We never in a million years imagined the community would be so generous in their gown donations.”
The dresses range from size zero to 22, in a wide variety of colors and styles, and will be sold for $10 to $50. Eighteen are wedding dresses, which will go for $100 each.
Prom gowns and wedding dresses can hold special memories for girls and women, and can be tough to give away. Shepherd acknowledged the emotional attachment, but said many of the girls donate so others can create new memories in the dresses, while at the same time helping animals.
Saturday’s inaugural event in Newport News is one of two events Gowns for Hounds hopes to host yearly, scheduled in conjunction with high school Homecoming and prom.
In addition to the pop-up store from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., there will be fashion shows on a main stage at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. Local middle and high school students, along with friends of the organizers, will model the dresses up for sale.
Gowns for Hounds also accepts donations of shoes, jewelry and evening bags, which will be available for purchase as well. See a full list of items they could use on their website.
Items for donation can be dropped off at Bead Retreat Boutique in Newport News or at Magruder-Tabb Animal Clinic in Yorktown.
Currently, gowns are only for sale at the biannual events, but the magnitude of donations has led Shepherd to consider a permanent sales facility.
“If it continues to grow, that might have to change.”
Once Gowns for Hounds earns its first funds from Saturday’s event, they will begin the process of awarding mini-grants to pet owners. Applicants will need to be nominated by their veterinarian, and an appointed committee will review completed applications.
Shepherd gives credit to a team of supporters for helping to put on the event, hanging and tagging dresses, and volunteering as models.
She has enjoyed seeing the models’ excited reactions to the dresses they’ve tried on.
“If that’s any indication, it’s gonna be a huge success tomorrow,” she said.
And as for getting a new dog, Shepherd has put her effort to Gowns for Hounds instead. Butler is simply “irreplaceable.”
