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Foreclosure Cats Art Fundraiser
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Read About Each Cat's Journey at www.ForeclosureCats.org
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Pet Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization who partnered with 2 other small grassroot animal rescue organizations to save the Foreclosure Cats.
The Foreclosure Cats project began in May 2007.
Cats Discovered Completely By Chance
What would YOU do if while enjoying the beautiful weather with a relaxing bike ride, you came upon a house that you learned had 62 cats that had been abandoned in a foreclosed house (about half trapped inside without food or water and the remaining left to fend for themselves outside)?
Gail Silver with Silver Bells Rescue, chose to get involved rather than look the other way. She asked the Cincinnati SPCA to allow her time to get help from the No Kill Rescues in Cincinnati before the SPCA was forced to remove the cats, and most, if not all, would probably have been euthanized because of their state of health.
Local Rescues Provide Limited Help
Lynne Heldman with Save Our Strays (SOS) heard Gail's plea for help and came to immediately assist by placing the easiest cats to catch, as well as, trapping the cats that had the most urgent medical issues. Janet Corbett with Wildwood Pet Network interviewed potential fosters and adopters for the Foreclosure Cats, as well as, solved the numerous challenges that arose in such a huge undertaking. Anita Barron with Pet Alliance worked to find fosters, resources and funding for this very large and expensive initiative but...
All area rescues and shelters were totally overwhelmed with kittens and cats due to kitten season. Most rescues and shelters just did NOT have any room left to take these discarded cats and kittens.
As of December 14, 2007, the Foreclosure Cats Project still has 25 cats waiting for their forever homes.
25 Cats Need Homes
31 Cats Have Been Adopted
6 Cats Are Deceased
62 Total Cats in the Foreclosure Cats Project
Original Art is donated to raise funds, accelerate adoptions
From Disney animators to greeting card artists and children's book illustrators, artists around the country are creating portraits of the 62 "foreclosure cats" and kittens. The cats were discovered by a Cincinnati, Ohio, rescuer in early May, apparently weeks after an evicted man walked away from his home without telling anyone about the cats and kittens who were trapped inside without food, water or medical attention. The foreclosure cats gained national attention when they were featured in a business publication as the latest victims of accelerating foreclosure trends nationwide.
More than 25 of the cats and kittens are still seeking homes, many only recently spayed, neutered, and sufficiently recovered from their ordeal to be ready for "forever" families. The art is being donated to raise funds for veterinary care, and to help find adopters and foster homes for the abandoned animals.
Robin Moro, a Cincinnati artist who initially answered the call for help by fostering two of the cats, Delta and Lucy, came up with the idea to invite artists around the country to contribute original art to the project, in the form of portraits of each cat.
"Artists as far west as California, east to Rhode Island and south to Florida were inspired by the plight of these cats and kittens and have created or are working on portraits," said Moro. Media include acrylics, oils, pastels, fabric, and digital. Rhode Island artist Janet Parker Prata created portraits of three of the cats, including a framed mirror featuring Titus, an orange tabby. Cincinnati artist Karen Kurak has created fabric art of Max and Mae, and Moro herself is contributing four paintings, two each of Delta and Lucy.
Some of the cats and kittens bear permanent injuries and scars such as eye damage, blindness, or chronic colds. The artists were asked not to hide these characteristics, while capturing the joy and energy of animals finally receiving medical care, attention and love. Cincinnati artist Meredith Smith captured Tortellini's joyous spirit by showing the kitten's damaged eye as a happy wink. "When I saw the most recent photos of Tortellini, she seemed so happy, confident and completely unhindered by the permanent damage to her eye," said Smith. "I wanted my portrait of her to express these traits and present her in the dignified way she deserves."
This website, www.ForeclosureCats.org , originally created to solicit volunteers, accept foster and adopter applications and donations, has been revamped to include the art, as well as photos and stories about each cat. People can see the art, read about the artists, and order framed or unframed prints at the website. The original art, once completed for all of the cats, will be on exhibit on Saturday, January 12, 2008 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Loveland Art Studios on Main, 529 Main, Loveland, OH 45140. In addition to the art, the star of the portraits, the Foreclosure Cats who are still in need of homes will be at the Studio in "purrson" to provide "pawgraphs" as well as hors d'oeuvres for the humans.
The original artwork will be sold on EBay with all proceeds going to help with veterinary bills, supplies, boarding and other expenses for the cats. Adopters will receive prints signed by the artists.
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