Goods for greyhounds

Melissa Dettloff's Crafters for Critters project supports independent artists and troubled animals

By Kei Hotoda
Published: November 21st, 2005 | 4:09pm

Here at the Venus office, there are two adorable greyhounds that belong to the designer with whom we share the office. I was informed that they used to race but were rescued, and then I realized how naive I had been about dog racing. It was perfect timing as I came across independent designer Melissa Dettlof’s project, Crafters for Critters (craftersforcritters.com), which supports animal and greyhound rescue organizations by selling crafters' unique creations online. From their Web site, I learned the following facts about greyhound racing:

• Not all greyhounds are born as “perfect racers.” More than 50% of them are not seen as potential racers, so they are either sold to research labs or "destroyed."
• "Destroyed" means killed inhumanely by shooting, clubbing, and abandoning, as to avoid veterinarian costs.
• Greyhounds are not the only animals that suffer in dog racing. The dogs learn how to race by racing around the track and following live lures, which means that rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and kittens are also dying at the cost of legalized gambling.

Crafters for Critters is dedicated to Dettloff’s former pet, a greyhound named Frank the Joker. She currently uses her house as a foster home to greyhounds before they are sent to permanent homes. She recently adopted Shata (above), who was rescued from a racetrack in Daytona, Florida. When Dettloff is not working on her animal-friendly line Lekkner (lekkner.com) — for which she transforms vintage T-shirts into one-of-a-kind creations like skirts and pencil cases — she donates the rest of her time to running and maintaining Crafters for Critters.

For Crafters for Critters, Dettloff has successfully gathered all sorts of unique goodies — dog-themed accessories, pillows, headbands, baby clothes, soap, stationary, and even vegan chocolate truffles — from independent crafters, many of whom are also socially conscious about animals and the environment. A lot of the crafts are original and handmade, but they are not particularly expensive given the fact that they are one-of-a-kind or limited productions. For instance, some standout items include hand-screened T-shirts by Momomoogie.com run for only $22, and assorted jewelry ranges anywhere from $7 to $42, by artists like Janice of Copacetique (copacetique.com), the recycle-friendly crafters of Blissen (blissen.com), and Cristina Espiritu of L’Espiritu Designs (lespiritu.com). Cheryl Chudyk, who cites Dettloff as inspiration for starting her own line of accessories, Stitchpixie (stitchpixie.com), donated her cherry earrings and needle earrings. Chudyk says she plans to donate her vegan-friendly clutches and purses in the future for Crafters for Critters.

The various products are overwhelming as eye candy, but the animals and greyhounds, like the two sweethearts who roam about in the Venus office, are silently thankful.