Now through the end of August I will be donating 10% of art sales to Ocean Conservancy, which “has assembled a rapid response and recovery team to address the human and environmental needs in the aftermath of the [Gulf Coast oil] spill.”  With an estimated 5,000 barrels/210,000 gallons of oil leaking into the ocean daily, we greatly need the expertise of such organizations.  You can also directly support their work here.

Click here to view the embedded video.

For 114 years, the Wildlife Conversation Society has endeavored to preserve wildlife and wildlife habitats around the world through science, wildlife park management, environmental conservation and education.

Their earliest accomplishment was helping the American bison population recoup in the Western Plains.  Today, they manage about 500 conservation projects in over 60 countries and more than 200 million acres of protected lands around the world, employing more than 200 scientists.  WCS also manages the world’s largest system of urban wildlife parks, which includes five New York City “living institutions.” These parks reach 4 million visitors each year and assist in educating millions of schoolchildren in science and conservation issues.

Here’s a comical video example of what park visitors would find at one of the New York City zoos.

Click here to view the embedded video.

The WCS website is equipped with templates for wildlife supporters to use in writing their congressman/woman about conservation issues.  You can also donate online to support their “commitment to protect 25 percent of the world’s biodiversity.”  That’s no small undertaking, for which I’m certain your contribution is greatly appreciated.

Ps- Take a look at another animal welfare group, Paw-Talk, that graciously republished this post.  Thanks for helping to spread the word.

The Kentucky Humane Society (KHS) has several exciting events coming up in the next few weeks: Dog Day at the Park as well as the 15^th annual WAGGIN’ TRAIL 5K. Both events are a great way to take advantage of some of the venues our community offers, while at the same time providing socialization and fun for dogs.

I’ve never been to DOG DAY AT THE PARK, but I am extremely excited that I’ve been able to help coordinate this year’s event. The Louisville Bats and Your Community Bank sponsor an evening where dog owners can bring their pet to watch a baseball game. Best of all, it’s $1 hot dog and soft drink night! More importantly though, the money raised from the sale of canine tickets goes to KHS.

Even before I started working for KHS, I participated in the WAGGIN’ TRAIL 5K. Although I ran the race for the past several years, there are lots of things to do at the event that don’t require exercising. I’ve always enjoyed visiting the various vendor booths, especially the KHS booth featuring adoptable pets. In addition, throughout the day there are family-friendly activities like behavior demos, contests, music and food. There really is something for everyone at the WAGGIN’ TRAIL 5K.

I’ve always had a passion for animals, and I am proud to work for an organization that makes it a priority to provide events that strengthen the human and animal bond. Here are details about our upcoming events:

Dog Day at the Park
Tuesday, April 14
Louisville Slugger Field
Gates open at 6 p.m. Game starts at 7:05 p.m.
Click here to download a ticket order form.

WAGGIN’ TRAIL 5K
Saturday, May 9
E.P. “Tom” Sawyer State Park
Register here

Kentucky Humane Society
241 Steedly Drive
Louisville, KY 40214
(502) 366-3355
DONATE NOW at www.kyhumane.org to support needy animals in our community.

Once again I have missed another enchanting evening of educating my wine-taste buds with a glamorous crowd of hundreds at the most recent Louisville Uncorked event. Small teams of guests bring 3 bottles of the same wine, 2 to be opened for tasting (masked in a bag) and 1 to be added to the collection given to the team with the best liked wine.

The quarterly tastings benefit a different charity each time. Last week’s party of fermented fruit benefited the Louisville Zoo. The event is usually held at a non related venue, but this time the party brought guests to the selected nonprofit by setting up camp at the Zoo. You can see pictures here.

You can visit www.louisvilleuncorked.com to sign up for their email alert if you don’t want to miss out on the next tasting, which is TBA.
Oh, and by the way, the wining wine of last week was a Pine Ridge 2005 Chardonnay.

I’m a sucker for happy endings, and that is precisely what all party-goers got Saturday night at this year’s Kentucky Humane Society Tux & Tails fundraiser.  This horrifically abused boxer puppy, Dexter (previously adorning my blog in this painting), courageously shared the spotlight with his new owner for hundreds of guests to ogle at.

I’m also a sucker for costume parties, which made KHS staff dressed as KISS rock stars for the “Shake, Rattle, and Roll” theme especially entertaining.  Volunteers, with the best job ever, strolled around Millionaire’s Row of Churchill Downs with lap-size puppies dressed in poodle skirts for everyone to babble baby talk to (alcohol only making it more incoherent).

The silent auction spread was very impressive with bids during the live auction to match.  Someone took home a boxing glove autographed by Muhammad Ali.  Another high bidder will hang 2007 Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense’s halter on their wall.

Sell all artwork available for sale.

Another sad story in search of a happy ending…

In early June, “Bippity,” “Boppity,” and “Boo,” three six-week-old Siamese kittens in poor health, were abandoned at the KHS main campus. Upon evaluation, it was discovered that all three kittens suffered from malnourishment, upper respiratory infections, eye infections and worms. Bippity, Boppity and Boo were all placed in foster care where they could receive daily medication for their infections, as well as proper nutrition and care.

Visit kyhumane.org or call (502) 366-3355 to inquire about these and other adoptable pets.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Here’s a real heart-breaker of a rescue story from the Ky Humane Society:

“In late May, a five-month old American bulldog (I think he looks like a boxer) named “Dexter” was surrendered to the Kentucky Humane Society with a broken jaw. Drooling and unable to close his mouth, Dexter’s lower jaw was hanging at an unnatural angle. The KHS veterinary team immediately performed a medical evaluation and obtained X-rays to determine the severity of Dexter’s injury. Upon review, it was apparent that the young canine suffered from a bilateral compound mandibular fracture, most likely caused by blunt trauma. With this type of injury, where both sides of his lower jaw were broken, the veterinarians predicted that Dexter’s injury may have resulted from abuse, such as a swift kick or strike by a baseball bat. After placing Dexter on antibiotics to avoid the spread of infection, the KHS veterinary team decided to perform surgery using interfragmentary wires to correct the fracture. Fragments of both fractures were wired together, which should hopefully allow proper healing.”

Lets hope Dexter makes a full recovery and finds a home where a broken jaw isn’t used as a means of discipline.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Thanks to my monthly collaboration with the Kentucky Humane Society, I recently picked up a commission to paint a very large family of dogs (nearly all of which are Pomeranians). The canvas itself matches in size the enormity of this commission, which wouldn’t even fit in my car. 37 dogs take up a lot of space!

I promise you, there is a nonprofit out there for just about anything, even Pomeranian dogs! Although this painting was for a private client, it still serves as an ideal illustration to highlight the work of one such niche animal welfare organization, Ponderosa Pomeranian Rescue Inc.

Since starting this “art-meets-activism” website, I’ve been pleasantly surprised  by several of my readers who have sent me links to animal rescue organizations that focus on a particular breed (James, the basset hound organization is still on my radar). Dallas based Ponderosa Pomeranian Rescue Inc. takes in, and cares for these mini dogs, and eventually finds adoptive homes for them. Their website is full of useful info about the breed, the adoption process, and success stories.

So, for all of the Dallas people I connected with while touring nonprofits in Texas earlier this year, this one’s for you.

Last week’s post about elephant poaching in Zambia elicited some positive chatter and a request for a related painting. I’m always glad to get feedback and suggestions. I’m even more inclined to put your ideas on a canvas when info about a corresponding nonprofit is included. I got just such a lead from one reader informing me about the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee.

Who would have ever guessed that 2,700 acres in Hohenwald, Tennessee are home to 23 “old, sick, and needy” elephants? The nonprofit’s website is fully outfitted with a artwork by Tarra the elephant (not bad I might add), regularly updated elephant diaries (no sorry, they may paint, but these are written by humans), and an elephant webcam!

Apparently, elephants are, literally, a huge problem when they’re no longer of use in a circus, or they cannot stay at their zoo. Finding a home for such an animal is not exactly like asking a neighbor to adopt your cat. The Elephant Sanctuary provides a geographically unusual home for the animals and raises awareness about their plight through public outreach and an educational curriculum for schools.

The elephant refuge is in a neighboring state, so I’ll definitely be visiting to get a glimpse from the sanctuary’s “people fence.”