Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Paint for Paws


Paint for Paws is a public art intervention in the form of an annual fundraiser. I would like to propose that the SPCA, pet businesses and local animal shelters would pull money to purchase ten dog-waste removal stations. The organizations would then auction off the stations to the highest bidders (with biddings starting at $75). These would be distributed at local parks.

How Does This Work? 

The bidders are really paying to be able to personalize their own dog-waste removal station. There are only ten stations so the hopes are high that some of Austin's creative minds will be willing to pay sizable donations to the shelter to paint the station. The money for this event should not come just from the shelter. Local vets and grooming companies could all donate and set up tables at a local park like Zilker or Town Lake. They could promote their businesses and help the SPCA cover the costs of the stations.
Why Are These Stations Necessary?

No one likes to walk their dog or run an be constantly checking for dog waste on the path. By implementing more stations at well traveled parks, the hope is that more people will clean up after their own dogs. Also if the stations are personalized and brightly colored they will be easier to notice than the normal green or black stations that blend into the landscape. If they stand out they are also harder to ignore!

What Will Paint for Paws Day Look Like?

I propose that a park like Zilker or Town Lake could be rented for a few hours and that local vets, dog groomers, pet stores and businesses could donate money to have a stand at the fundraiser. That money will then be put into renting the park and purchasing the dog-waste removal stations. The bidding will begin an hour into the event and last for two hours. At the end, the winners will have the paint and materials available to begin to design and paint their station. People can bring their pets and come watch and visit the tables set up by the vendors. Donations will also be open to Town Lake Animal Shelter all day. This fundraiser is a great way to both clean up local parks and give back to the SPCA and local vendors.

My inspiration for this project is my mutt Bella. I adopted her from Town Lake last winter and I cannot imagine my life without her. I take pride in knowing that I gave Bella a better life but I could not have done that without the shelter. They covered all of her medical costs to the point where I paid $25 for a neutered, vaccinated, healthy dog. I want to give back and allow others to experience the same joy that my shelter dog brought into my life last year. This fundraiser is geared toward pet owners but specifically dog owners. The only materials needed are ten dog-waste removal stations and paints and brushes. 

Tait Thorne

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