CUMRU TWP., Pa. \u2013 At the Animal Rescue League of Berks County, pets aren\u2019t just waiting for homes. Some are becoming works of art.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have the pet portrait contest coming up. This will actually be my third year participating in it,\u201d said Alexi Neiffer with the Animal Rescue League.<\/p>\n
Neiffer works at the shelter, helping care for animals, but she also takes part as one of the artists in the fundraiser.<\/p>\n
\u201cBasically, I get a submission of a pet. I get a little description of how their personality is like and their preferred style,\u201d Neiffer said.<\/p>\n
Artists use photos of pets and turn them into paintings, each one inspired by the animal\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n
\u201cI 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,\u201d Neiffer said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Artists and pet owners can both participate in the fundraiser.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are always looking for more artists to help sign up. We get a lot of commissions each year,\u201d Neiffer said.<\/p>\n