Scroll through social media long enough, and you're bound to stumble across a dog with better style, more brand partnerships, and a bigger following than most people. That's the world of pet influencers, where adorable personalities, creative content, and everyday adventures turn into moments worth sharing. For Houston's Kate Stouffer, it all started with a rescue pup named Louie. Today, the lovable three-year-old mixed breed charms thousands of followers while showing that behind every four-legged star is a devoted owner and plenty of treats.
To start from the beginning, how did Louie come into your life?
We adopted Louie from K9 Angels Rescue when he was a 12-week-old puppy. At the time, my three boys (and husband) had been relentlessly campaigning for a dog, and their ages finally felt right for us to take the leap.
K9 Angels Rescue has an amazing Instagram account for people looking for their perfect pup. They post photos of the dogs along with descriptions of their personalities, and you scroll through until one catches your eye. Once you find a potential match, they arrange a meet-and-greet to make sure it’s a good fit for both the family and the dog.
What exactly is a pet influencer, and when did you realize Louie could be one?
We knew almost immediately that Louie’s personality was something we needed to share with a larger audience than just our household. The dynamic of our family becoming completely obsessed with this dog was entertaining in its own right, and it felt like there were endless moments worth sharing.
I had no idea how many major brands have pet lines, launch pet collaborations, feature pets in their campaigns, or create limited-edition capsule collections for dogs. It felt like this entire world existed right under my nose, and I wanted to share it with other pet owners. That’s really where our content found its niche. The shoppable collages I create are always a reflection of things I’ve genuinely discovered and loved, whether that’s a great product for dogs or something stylish for the human behind the leash.
What goes into creating content for Louie’s social media accounts? Is there a lot of behind-the-scenes planning?
Honestly, most of his content comes from organic moments with our family that I find amusing, or things my boys tell me they want people to see about Louie. The content is usually a reflection of who he already is rather than something we plan too far in advance.
When it comes to shoppable content, I tend to focus on seasonal moments, color trends, or products that feel relevant to what is currently going on in my life. Those types of posts let me showcase products in a way that feels timely and natural, while staying true to Louie’s personality and everyday life.
Has being on social media opened any doors for Louie, such as brand partnerships or travel opportunities?
Yes! It’s been so fun watching his brand grow on social media and having companies reach out. It’s also been fulfilling to raise awareness about rescue dogs and show just how unique and special they can be. @callsign_louie
I enjoy curating guides that speak to both sides of the relationship, because for many of us, our dogs aren’t just pets, they’re part of our families, our routines, and, occasionally, our personal style.