We are excited to share another post in our Circular Allies series. See our last post here. Today we are introducing Up Pet, an exciting start-up in Vancouver, creating pet accessories from locally sourced upcycled materials.
Up Pet founder Clavia Castilhos
Up Pet is a Canadian brand, creating upcycled accessories for pets and their humans. Up Pet officially began in 2019, while founder Clavia Castilhos was doing her post grad in sustainable fashion production at George Brown. She already had 10+ years experience working in the fashion industry in Brazil, and understood the nature of the industry’s challenges, especially textile waste. She was excited to learn about the Salvation Army challenge encouraging designers to upcycle post-consumer textiles, particularly home textiles and linens, to divert them from landfills. Being a lifelong pet lover, Clavia had also noticed a gap in the market for sustainable pet accessories. And so Up Pet was born!
Clavia started creating product samples in 2019, with reclaimed textiles from The Salvation Army, and the support of her mentors at George Brown. Before she knew it, she was selling at local craft fairs, and in March 2021 officially opened her ecommerce store. Now she sells a full collection of pet accessories, including toys, poop bag holders, bandanas, and her signature designs, the shirt collar and backpack.
Pet Backpack
All products are made in limited runs due to the nature of her material sourcing, which has proved to be both a selling feature, and a challenge. Clavia claims that education around upcycled products is still the biggest hurdle for startups like Up Pet. Consumers are accustomed to having a wide variety of choice, and virtually unlimited supply. It will take some time to help customers understand and value the way circular products are made.
“Making the world better is a matter of choice!”
Circularity & Collaboration
From the beginning, collaboration was a key component in Up Pet’s DNA. As Clavia says: “We can change the world together, collaboration is the best part of humanity. We have the power to connect and help each other improve.” To this day, The Salvation Army is still her primary source for reclaimed materials, including bedsheets, linens, and bolts of deadstock fabric.
As her business expands she hopes to build partnerships with other local businesses that value the circular economy. This includes partners even outside of the textiles industry. While Up Pet’s core product line will remain textile based, Clavia is interested in collaborating on other types of products, such as pet beds, and even homeware for pet owners. She has started exploring this area by upcycling reclaimed mugs from thrift stores with designs appealing to pet parents.
“We can change the world together, collaboration is the best part of humanity. We have the power to connect and help each other improve.”
What’s Next?
Clavia is interested in developing a cooperative business model to support local seamstresses and do further good in her community. She is currently on the lookout for talented home sewers interested in helping Up Pet grow. If you or someone you know are interested, email Clavia at contact@uppet.ca.
How to Support
Interested in learning more, or supporting Up Pet’s work?
Shop Up Pet’s sustainable collection of pet accessories
Follow Up Pet on social media, and share with fellow pet parents
Reach out to contact@uppet.ca if you own a circular business and are interested in collaborating
Are you a seamstress? Up Pet is looking for seamstresses as they expand their production. Reach out via email or Instagram
Written by Megan Bourassa