Rescue shelters have to get creative to make money. But one shelter took it literally and started selling their dogs’ own paintings.
Paintings by Rescue Dogs
The Longview Animal Care and Adoption Center is nestled in the town of Longview, Texas. About a year ago, an employee came in sharing some videos she saw on social media. Longview Animal Control Supervisor Chris Kemper told ABC 7 it sparked an idea in everyone. The paintings not only looked cool but were unique and could draw attention to the shelter.
The next day, Kemper and everyone else gathered the supplies they needed for the dog masterpieces.
First, somebody pours acrylic paint on a canvas. Then, they seal the canvas in a plastic bag. Afterward, that same someone lays the canvas down and puts a good bit of canned dog food on top. Finally, the artist enters the studio.
After licking every morsel away, the finished painting lays patiently within the plastic.
Letting Dogs Express Themselves
“A lot of them turn out really great. You know, and they’re all unique. And, they’re all a little bit different, just like the animals,” says Kemper. Usually, the shelter employees let the dogs freely express themselves. Occasionally, though, they’ll give them a hand with the holiday themes. And thankfully, the paintings have found an audience.
Kempers says, “We’ve gone to some of our different events off-site when we’ve taken these, and we’ve sold them. And, at times, we’ve actually attached the animal that did the artwork, and sent it with that animal when the animal got adopted.”
Amazingly, Kemper hasn’t started charging fixed prices for the artwork. Mostly, he says, people will give whatever they think is reasonable. According to him, some people have paid almost $100 for a piece. Not surprisingly, all profits support the shelter and buy more art supplies for the dogs.
In the end, letting dogs be creative and finding them homes makes these paintings priceless.
