Jus Animalium Culture Apparel Addresses the Homeless Pet Epidemic

By Shelly Aucoin

Every now and then a company comes along that really warms our hearts – Jus Animalium Culture Apparel (JACA) is definitely at the top of that list. Founder Melissa Salinas created the eco-indie apparel company to assist pet shelters of America and contributes money every month to help animals in need. She was a graphic designer for 13 years before starting the apparel line in January of 2011. It became important to her to make a real contribution to the world so she combined her love for companion animals with her graphic design skills to form JACA.

JACA helps change and save the lives of countless animals. “With the help of purchases and through our “Help a Shelter Project,” a new American pet shelter will receive funding every month to assist with the needs of the pets in their care so that they have better chances of being adopted and not euthanized,” Melissa says. “I started by donating anywhere from 5% to $5 per tee, but for the rest of this first year it will be 10% of online sales and at events or shows it will be $5 of every tee. In the future when JACA is more established I want to start gathering information on how many pets we helped save/get adopted.”

Melissa is excited about her company which has gained popularity in the press from companies like Ecofabulous, Dogtipper.com, Sweet Greens, People Pets, and Green Maven. JACA products are currently sold only on their website, but are expected to expand to specialty stores and boutiques very soon.

“JACA is not a tee company and as it grows, more apparel products will be added and one day it will be an eco version GAP, Hollister or Lucky Brand,” she says. JACA’s trendy organic cotton designs carry an important message. “Our revolutionary fair wear tees will remind your readers that eco-friendly is fashionable and most importantly that their purchasing power can create widespread change for the millions of American pets that are euthanized each year.”

JACA estimates that American pet overpopulation results in one death for every three pets taken in by shelters. Through the “Help a Shelter” project, JACA’s retail sales help shelters across the country through contributions that provide food, medication, supplies, and educational programs.

April’s proceeds went to Muttville Senior Dog Rescue of San Francisco, CA where they rescue unwanted senior dogs that would be euthanized, May and June will go to Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary of NM to provide a permanent, safe sanctuary for abused and abandoned captive-bred wolves and wolf-dogs, July through September will aid HALO Animal Rescue of Phoenix AZ, and October through December will help MaxFund of Denver, CO, a no-kill shelter and adoption center.

Jus Animalium Culture Apparel’s “5% From You” program encourages fans to donate their own designs via the website ~ 5% of all online retail sales for any product that bears the design will go shelters. More details are available online.

Visit the JACA blog for up-to-date information on current projects, press releases, new designs, and more.

Web: www.jusanimalium.com
Blog: jusanimalium.com/blog