We know you love your dog, and we want that love to have a ripple effect!
At Lead With Love we create beautiful, handmade leads and collars that reflect your unique style and love for your pet!
Our products are made in South Africa by women who daily face the pain of poverty, and your purchase at Lead With Love directly supports these women – to provide them with skills training, dignified work, community, and mentorship.
In addition, in 2023, we will be working to establish an Employee Trust, in which these women will not only have a stable source of income but will also share in the ownership of Lead With Love. Follow us to learn more and to join us on the journey!
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Our online shop is now live!
Return Policy
Each lead and collar are as unique as the incredible women who make them – and we celebrate this! While slight variations will be noted from one product to the next, one thing we will not compromise on is quality.
We want you to be fully satisfied with your Lead With Love products! If you are unsatisfied for any reason, let us know within 30 days, and we will gladly provide you with a repair, refund, or replacement.
Have any thoughts or feedback for us?! We want it! We are always striving to improve our products, so if you have thoughts or suggestions as to how we can do that, we’d love to know!
And if you love your lead or collar, we want to know that, too! Give us a review and let us and others know what you love!
Our Products
Our leads and collars are made from Type III/550 Paracord.
Paracord consists of an outer nylon sheath, which encases a core of inner threads.
Paracord comes in a number of thicknesses, colors, and patterns. The different thicknesses are often referred to by the Paracord “Type.” Our leads and collars are made using Paracord Type III, otherwise referred to as 550 Paracord because it has a breaking load of 550 lbs, or 249 kg.
Paracord is ideal for dog leads and collars due to its strength and durability, but also because it is extremely lightweight. Our products are perfect for puppies and even the most powerful dogs, too!
Better yet, Paracord is also UV resistant and waterproof – perfect for the coldest of North American winters, and the hottest of African summers!
Fun fact: The word ‘Paracord’ comes from its use by American paratroopers during the Second World War who, due to the cord’s strength and versatility, would cut the cord from their parachutes following a landing and use it for a variety of purposes on the ground!
Product Description
Features:
- Type III/550 Paracord (breaking load of 249 kg, or 550 lbs)
- Great strength and durability
- Extremely lightweight
- UV resistant and waterproof
Leads:
- 8 Strand braided lead
- 153cm/5feet
- Durable metal clip in lobster or trigger snap styles
Collars:
- Cobra weave slip collar
- Durable metal welded-o rings
**Slip collars are designed to slip over your pet’s head and will only tighten when tugged on. They are strong enough to provide correction – but only when needed! Please remember to check the sizing table to ensure the correct sizing for your dog, slip collars are best suited for dogs that are done growing.
Product Care:
To care for your collar or lead, you can spot clean with a damp, soapy cloth, or for a full cleaning, simply throw in the washing machine, wash on cold, and allow it to air dry!
Collar sizes
| Size | Size in cm | Size in Inches |
|---|---|---|
| XXS | 25.5cm | 10 Inches |
| XS | 30.5cm | 12 Inches |
| S | 40.5cm | 16 Inches |
| M | 45.5cm | 18 Inches |
| L | 51cm | 20 Inches |
| XL | 61cm | 21 Inches |
How to choose the right size for your dog:
Wrap a soft measuring tape around your dog’s neck, pulling the tape snug but not tight. (If you do not have a soft measuring tape, you can use a piece of string and then measure the string with a ruler or standard tape measure.)
Then add 2.5-5 centimeters/1-2 inches (or the width of two fingers) to the measurement to find the correct size for your dog’s neck. (When the collar is on your dog’s neck, you should be able to slide the width of two fingers between the collar and your dog’s neck. If there’s extra room, you need a smaller size, and if both fingers don’t fit, the collar is too small!)
Indemnity
This product is handmade, and although every step is taken to ensure the strength and durability of the product, Leadwithlove or any of its employees, affiliates, directors, officers or agents cannot be held liable for any claims, actions, or suits, including costs, expenses, and reasonable attorney fees caused by or arising from any act or omission of Leadwithlove relating to design, defective material, or workmanship and durability.
By making use of this product you indemnify and hold harmless Leadwithlove and any of its employees, affiliates, directors, officers or agents against any loss, liability, damage, injury or death, which may result from the use of this product or any activities associated therewith or incidental thereto, whether such loss, liability, damage, injury or death was as a result of any negligent act or omission on the part of Leadwithlove or by way of use of defective materials or equipment or by way of human or mechanical error, default or failure or from any other cause whatsoever, nothing excluded.
Meet the Team
Most of the women on our team reside in Thembisa, the second largest township in the province of Gauteng. Thembisa was established in 1957 when Black South Africans living in Johannesburg were forcefully evicted and relocated during apartheid. The legacy of apartheid in South Africa has been extreme poverty and inequality, both of which continue to plague the country. Thembisa is rife with poverty and overcrowding, gender-based violence, and has limited access to essential utilities services, quality education, and healthcare.
Thelma
Thelma was the first to join the Lead With Love team. She is mama to a 1-year-old little boy and prior to her work with Lead With Love, she had never had a job or any source of stable income.
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Thelma, she said, “Working with Lead With Love means a lot to me and has helped me so much in my life. I really hope that it is successful and grows bigger!”
Progress
Progress was the next to join our team! She recently lost employment as a domestic worker when the family she worked for immigrated, and she is also adjusting to being a single-parent to her 15-year-old daughter and 9-year-year-old son, after very recently losing her husband to kidney failure.
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Progress, she said, “Lead With Love is more than just a source of income to me – it is a blessing to be part of it! I get to work with caring and empathetic people, and from the first time I arrived there, the welcome that I received from the team was incredible. I can’t thank you enough! I’ve learned to be more compassionate, more patient, more caring, and more loving. Being with Lead With Love is not just work, but therapy too!”
Annalise
Next to join the team were Annalise, Pamela, and Nobuhle. Annalise braids hair on the side, so she quickly became one of our master braiders at Lead With Love. She is mama to two babies she forever holds in her heart.
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Annalise, she said, “Lead With Love has helped me a lot. I now can fulfill my needs and it has taught me to believe in myself. I’m very happy to be with the team!”
Pamela
Pamela lives in the same yard as Progress, so when Lead With Love was ready to grow, Progress invited Pamela to join the team as well! She is mama to her 9-year-old daughter, 5-year-old son, and 1-year-old baby girl. When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Pamela, she said, “It means so much to me, and has helped me to feel like I have become someone.”
Nobuhle
Nobuhle is a part-time domestic worker, but was super keen to learn a new skill and to be able to supplement her income to care for her 7-year-old daughter and 16-year-old son. When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Nobuhle, she said, “It’s been amazing! I’m so thankful for this opportunity and for this team of ladies!”
Vuyolwethu
The most recent members to join the team is the mom-daughter duo of Vuyolwethu and Nothemba. Vuyolwethu is the 6th of Nothemba’s 7 children, and she is also mama to twin 4-year-old boys.
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Vuyolwethu, she said, “Working with Lead With Love means a lot to me. It has enhanced my knowledge and my skills. It has also made a huge impact on me as a person and in my life in a great way because now I am a better person. I am so happy to be part of such a great team!”
Nothemba
Nothemba is the mother of Vuyolwethu, and along with being mama to her 7 children, she is Gogo to 11 grandchildren! Nothemba has brought so much fun and laughter to the mix!
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Nothemba, she said, “Lead With Love welcomed me with love and smiles and has taught me new skills that I am so thankful for!”
Sarah (& Nala)
Sarah (MSN, FNP, MPH) is the Founder and Managing Director of Lead With Love. She is a former obstetric nurse and has always been passionate about the empowerment of women and addressing social inequality. She is mama to her two 5 and 7-year-old daughters – and her fur baby, Nala!
When asked what working with Lead With Love has meant to Sarah, she said, “To see Lead With Love (something that I’ve carried in my mind and heart for years now!) come to life, has been a dream come true! Knowing that we are creating a pathway for the love that people have for their pets to uplift and empower women in need is the fuel that keeps me going. And I’m so proud of our team of ladies! I’ve watched them learn and grow so much – both in skills and confidence – and I’m so excited for what we are building together!”
Contact Us
Please get in touch with us if you have any queries, compliments, or concerns. We would love to hear from you! We will also gladly accommodate your bulk and/or custom orders. Get in touch and may love lead on…
Sarah Bryce 072 605 5093