3Dogs: Where Love, Rescue, and Creativity Meet
At 3Dogs, everything we create – from Lewis’s fuGLy friENds durable dog toys to pet plush toys and character cushions – started with a spark of creativity, resilience, and a deep love for our four-pawed companions.
Our story began in March 2020, during South Africa’s first lockdown, when Staffordshire Terrier Rescue South Africa urgently needed funding.
“Our founder, Sophia, recalls:
‘Masks and sanitiser were a priority but nowhere to be found in stores. Within days, production started. With every available resource, a lot of scheming, faith, determination – and warp-speed sewing day and night – my faithful sewing machine, the Internet, my supportive husband, and our fur kids made it possible. We produced over 500 masks, collaborating with as many struggling micro-businesses as possible to help them survive lockdown.’”
As winter arrived, a new challenge appeared: countless dogs in shelters, from Cape Town to Nelspruit, desperately needed warmth.
Sophia responded once again by crafting winter jackets, beds, toys, and blankets, using reclaimed raw materials and sourced items — all while continuing to support micro-businesses and keep animal rescue doors open.
This experience built a deep bond with the community of pet lovers and rescuers.
“I realized that dog parents everywhere are willing to help in their own way. Trust and sincerity are key to everything we do,” says Sophia.
Lewis’s fuGLy friENds was born from loss and love.
When Sophia’s dear friend — a devoted rescue mama — lost her beloved dog, Lewis, Sophia wanted to ease the heartbreak.
Lewis had always struggled with toys, often tearing them apart. Inspired to create something that honored his memory, Sophia handcrafted the first fuGLy friend: a tough, durable toy with heart and soul — and a legacy of love.
Today, 3Dogs proudly carries that spirit forward — crafting sustainable, heartfelt products that make a difference, one wagging tail at a time.
OUR ETHOS / WHAT WE STAND FOR
At 3Dogs, we believe:
- Sustainability is non-negotiable. We repurpose reclaimed upholstery off-cuts that would otherwise pollute our environment.
- Handmade matters. Every product is carefully crafted by women, creating jobs and empowering lives.
- Uniqueness is beautiful. Just like no two dogs or humans are alike, no two fuGLy frIends or hugMEs are the same. Each has its own soul.
- Giving back is part of doing good. A portion of profits goes directly to supporting South African animal rescue organisations, and our team regularly donates beds, blankets, care packs, and toys to shelters across the country.
We’re more than a brand. We’re part of a circular movement that reduces waste, supports ethical production, and reminds the world that caring makes the difference.
OUR PURPOSE / MISSION
Our mission is simple:
To turn waste into wonder.
Through a circular process of reduce, reuse, repurpose, we transform the forgotten into something magical—for pets, people, and the planet.
Whether we’re comforting a rescue dog, empowering a local artisan, or offering a cuddly companion to someone in need, we do it with love. Because at 3Dogs, change is always possible when there’s a willingness to embrace new possibilities.
We invite you to be part of our mission—one product, one cuddle, and one act of kindness at a time.