Calgary art auction to feature pieces made by rescue animals

Rescue animals are tapping into their artistic spirit for a week-long Calgary fundraising auction beginning on Valentine’s Day.

The Artistic Rescue Tales (ART) event will have cats, dogs, horses, and “mystery animal guests” showcasing their artwork.

Katie Shannon, president of the Rescue Friends Animal Foundation, tells 660 NewsRadio that five other animal rescues are involved, and went with creating art to try something new and fun to promote animal adoption.

“We have asked the groups involved with the auction to create art pieces with animals in their care,” Shannon said.

“Of course, they’ll need some human help.”

Shannon says the animals will manage this without getting any paint on their paws.

But this also comes as rescues have been struggling to keep their doors open, she explained.

“We just can’t keep ahead of how many requests we keep getting,” Shannon said. “Fundraising is our lifeline, we have to raise funds in order to keep our doors open and be operational.”

The animals’ art pieces will be auctioned off and proceeds will go to the rescue that submitted those art pieces.

The other rescues are MEOW Foundation, Saving Grace Animal Society, Pawsitive Match Rescue Foundation, Canadian Animal Task Force, and Bear Valley Rescue.

There will also be behind-the-scenes videos and photos of the critters creating their art.

Shannon says they have partnered with local artist Dean Stanton, who has been making art murals at schools for years and hosts interactive art sessions.

The event runs from Feb. 14 at noon until Feb. 21 at 8 p.m.

More information can be found online.