Don’t you just love finding a company that makes great products and gives back to a cause you’re passionate about? Max and Neo is one of those companies for us, and no, they aren’t paying us to say that. We discovered them quite a while ago and have been enjoying their collars, leashes, and more, as well as their commitment to helping shelter animals by donating products to shelters across the country.
We’re so inspired by this unique company blazing a trail unlike any other. Keep reading to learn who Max and Neo is, as well as how your local shelter can get awesome supplies for its dogs.
Who Is Max and Neo?
Max and Neo is an e-commerce dog supply store that donates one product to rescue organizations for every item sold. Kenric Hwang owns the company. It’s named after his dog and his brother’s dog, who both passed away on the same day in 2013.
After the death of the dogs, Kenric started fostering and quickly became aware of how under-resourced rescue organizations are. Max and Neo was born out of this lightbulb moment. Kenric and his team figured out a better way to help rescues by donating supplies versus money. And it’s become a win-win for the rescues and donors.
Max and Neo donates products instead of money because it leverages what they’re good at, selling leashes and collars. And their mission is to help dog rescues, which is what they base all of their decisions on. They started with donating to rescues as their priority and built a dog collar business around the idea.
The company donates weekly and is transparent about what and to who they give. They post a list of the rescues receiving a donation box on their website, and you can nominate your favorite shelter there, too.
Max and Neo is a private company that works out of Arizona. You can purchase their products on their website, Amazon, and Chewy.
What Products Does Max and Neo Sell?
Max and Neo sells a variety of dog products. Their most popular items include dog collars, leashes, and harnesses. They come in various colors and sizes, and all of the leashes and collars are under $20.
The company also sells dog supplements, treats, and CBD oil. The Max and Neo CBD™ is their signature brand grown, processed, and bottled in the United States.
In addition, they also sell dog toys and accessories. They even have a monthly collar club in which you get a new dog collar every month, which also gives a collar to a rescue every month. They also sell stand-up paddle boards and dog life jackets to take your pup along. You’ll also find some human apparel on their website to help promote the brand with stylish vibes.
Pro Tip: Check out our guide on how to canoe, kayak, or paddleboard with your dog.
How Did Max and Neo Get Started?
Max and Neo started after Kenric, the owner, observed the needs of rescue organizations when he was fostering dogs. He mentioned in a Forbes article how staying open to problems that need solving led him to start the company.
Kenric was previously the owner of an online camouflage clothing store that he grew into a million-dollar revenue company. So, he’s no stranger to what it takes to build an e-commerce store. He admits that Max and Neo has low-profit margins because of the overhead involved in shipping donations to rescue organizations. But, he knew that going in and donating was much more critical to his mission than making a profit.
How Does Max and Neo Help Save Shelter Dogs Lives?
Max and Neo help save shelter dogs’ lives by bringing awareness to animal welfare. Their one-for-one program directly impacts a customer and a shelter. It puts adoption and fostering at the forefront of someone’s mind who may not have considered it before. Therefore, the potential of emptying space in a shelter is greater.
In addition, the company is donating products to shelters. This inherently saves the shelter money on having to purchase those collars themselves. Many shelters don’t supply collars to dogs when they are adopted, having to instead request the adopter to bring a collar and leash in to pick up the animal. Having collars available improves the experience of potential and actual adopters by seeing new collars on the animals and having a collar to take their new dog home in.
Pro Tip: If you want to rescue a dog, utilize our guide to the best pet adoption websites.
How Does the Max and Neo Donation Program Work?
The Max and Neo donation program gives one dog product to a shelter for every one purchased. Shelters and rescue organizations receive a box with leashes, collars, toys, and a bottle of salmon oil.
How Do Rescue Organizations Get Added to the List?
Max and Neo donates to any rescue that asks for supplies. Their philosophy is that if someone asks, they must really need them. So they don’t require paperwork. If organizations ask, they’ll receive a donation.
We’re impressed by Max and Neo because their process is so simple and impactful. Their generosity and work ethic is rare, and so needed in the animal welfare space.
Can You Purchase a Donation Box to Be Sent to a Rescue?
You can purchase a donation box and have it sent directly to the rescue of your choice. The boxes are available in three different sizes and prices. And the largest box, the Platinum, has the same 25 items that shelters receive through Max and Neo’s weekly donation program.
In addition, you can also have a personal message included in the donation box. Max and Neo goes above and beyond by offering free exchanges if the collar size or type is wrong. This kind of customer service reiterates their desire to put giving over profit.
What Is a Rescue Ambassador?
The Rescue Ambassador Program allows rescues and shelters to earn a commission on any customers they refer to Max and Neo. Organizations that qualify get a code to share with people, and any purchase made with it gives the organization a percentage of the sale.
The program is a way for organizations to have additional income. And it’s good marketing for Max and Neo to help even more rescues.
Why Does Max and Neo Donate Products Instead of Money?
Max and Neo donates products instead of money because the company’s mission is all about helping rescue organizations and shelters. The business was built around this idea and felt that giving money instead of something tangible can complicate things and keep a company from being held accountable for its promise.
Kenric, the founder of Max and Neo, explains it well. He gives an example of a dog company that promises to donate 10 percent of its profits. If they made $200,000 before paying themselves, they should technically donate $20,000 to a charity. However, the company’s owners could pay themselves a $200,000 salary for the year, and now the company made no profit. So, they don’t need to donate anything because there was no profit.
But there’s another reason Kenric donates products instead of money. He believes that writing a check once a year is too easy. Donating products requires thought, strategy, and a connection with the organizations you’re giving to.
For the rescues that Max and Neo gives to, they’re getting more help by receiving products. If Kenric gave them money for collars, they would have to go to the store and likely pay retail for collars. He explains that if Max and Neo made $5 profit per collar sold and donated 10 percent of that, it would mean contributing 50 cents per collar to a rescue organization. They would need to sell 30 collars before donating up to $15, which the rescue could turn around and purchase one collar from a store. Instead, Max and Neo gives one collar for every collar sold. So, they’re fulfilling a much greater need.
Help Max and Neo Save the Lives of Pets
You can help Max and Neo save the lives of pets and help adoptive pet parents by purchasing their products. We use their leashes and collars for our pups and love them! They’re quality products that we recommend.
Do you have a Max and Neo product? Let us know in the comments below, or share a photo on Instagram and tag us (@hypepets). We’re sure Max and Neo would also love a shout! (@maxandneo)
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