CUMRU TWP., Pa. – At the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, pets aren’t just waiting for homes. Some are becoming works of art.
The shelter is preparing for its annual Pet Portrait FUNraiser, which invites artists in the community to paint portraits of pets to help raise money for the shelter.
“We have the pet portrait contest coming up. This will actually be my third year participating in it,” said Alexi Neiffer with the Animal Rescue League.
Neiffer works at the shelter, helping care for animals, but she also takes part as one of the artists in the fundraiser.
“Basically, I get a submission of a pet. I get a little description of how their personality is like and their preferred style,” Neiffer said.
Artists use photos of pets and turn them into paintings, each one inspired by the animal’s personality.
“I match with whatever their pattern style might be, their color, a bit of their personality, and try to make an engaging background to match them,” Neiffer said.
Once the artwork is finished, the portraits are displayed during a special gallery event where the community can vote for their favorites. Every vote helps support the shelter.
Artists and pet owners can both participate in the fundraiser.
“We are always looking for more artists to help sign up. We get a lot of commissions each year,” Neiffer said.
If you’d like to participate, you can sign up at on the Berks ARL website.
The pet portrait gallery will be held June 20 at Alvernia University’s Miller Art Gallery.