
The Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter is our local animal rescue hub. They are a no-kill shelter that accepts cats, dogs, and even smaller pets. We are happy to donate $50 from every "Trail Home" Pendant sold to support their efforts through our Jewelry Fundraiser Program.
In celebration of the Beth Millner Jewelry partnership with the Upper Peninsula Animal Welfare Shelter (UPAWS), we thought it would be nice to share our personal connection to the cause of shelter animals.
Nearly every staff member of BMJ has the honor of being proud parents of a former shelter animal.
Beth & Bitsy
Beth had been hoping for a cat for quite some time when Bitsy came into her life. She'd asked for one for every birthday and Christmas for ages, but her partner just wasn't delivering. Finally, on Valentine's day, they went to PetSmart where there was a sweet kitty from UPAWS up for adoption. It was love at first sight. Now, Bitsy enjoys spooning all night and acting as resident alarm clock every morning. She loves snuggles, her food bowl, and most importantly, Beth.
Janna & Brita

There are cat people and dog people. Janna's husband is a cat person with, alas, a newish bride at the time who REALLY wanted a dog. So armed with a mile long list of traits he didn't want (no barking, small size, no drooling, etc...so really a cat!), Janna spent 6 months searching Pet Finder for the best fit. She finally found Brita through a foster care system in Newberry, MI. Janna drove four hours through the U.P winter and as soon as she walked in the house, she knew Brita was the dog she was meant to find. Janna brought her home and anxiously asked her cat loving, dog hating husband what he thought. His reply? "It's hard not to love this dog." Success! Brita was their first addition to the family eight years ago and holds an extra special place in their hearts. She's been the most endearingly patient pup with Janna's daughter through attention-stealing infancy and tail-yanking toddler years, loves being under blankets or in your lap when hanging out, and is always up for going for a walk.
Jane & Louie

Louie is a rescue kitty from Gaylord, Michigan. Technically, he belongs to Jane's parents, but everyone knows he'd hop on a bus to Marquette if he could. He has a lot of personality, and likes spending time outside and making friends with the local raccoons. He isn't into snuggles, but will put up with them for cat treats.
Julie & Howie
Reba & Link

Lex & Patch
Patch is a rescue dog from California that lives with Lex and brightens everybody's day! He's very energetic and extremely smart. His best tricks are sitting pretty and giving high fives.
Nina & Hildy

Hildy is a Pit Bull, saved from a high-kill shelter in California to "It Matters To One" animal rescue in Rhinelander, WI area. Nina and Hildy met there two and a half years ago and instantly fell in love with each other. Hildy's favorite things are cuddles, watermelon, and her mom and dad!
Lauren & Yin

Brand Ambassador Erin & Scout

Scout was adopted from UPAWS four years ago when he was nine months old. He was the only dog who didn't go bonkers when we came into the kennel area, he just sat there looking pathetic and unbelievably adorable. We took him for a walk with millions of mosquitoes for company and he behaved perfectly. He is my first dog and deciding to adopt him was both exhilarating and nerve-racking. This is Scout. Like all beloved creatures he goes by multiple names: Skooter, Skoots, Skooter McGooter, Goots, Skooty, Skooty McGooty, McGooty, Boo, and Booby. He is a good sport about it and answers to them all.
He suffered from separation anxiety at first, but matured into a spectacular boy who is never aggressive, is comfortable in his own skin, and is a positive influence on nervous or unsocialized dogs. He will do anything for his orange Kong ball. If you throw him any other ball he will simply watch with mild interest. Only the $5.00 ball will do for my darn dog.




We rescued Anise as a 9 month old abandoned cane corso pup from a local county's animal control. Her name is an ode to our neighborhood, Greektown! Two years later, we brought McHenry, a senior orange tabby into our family through Maryland's SPCA. He's named for Baltimore's Fort McHenry, birthplace of the Star Spangled Banner! If that didn't make our lives full enough, we recently started volunteering as foster parents to dogs in search of their fur-ever homes through Saving Grace Animal Rescue of Maryland. Our current fosters are Pluto, an energetic one year old hound mix, and Daphne, a playful and snuggly five month old Great Pyrenees.
Check out our Fundraiser Jewelry collection to see the new organizations we're supporting!