32 'pets' find new homes

PRINCETON — Thirty-two dogs and cats found new homes this past weekend, thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Strays.

According to Friends of Strays Director Bonnie Doty, the culmination of a 14-month fundraiser was a success Saturday night as the community turned out for the Art ... Well-Groomed Gala Art Auction, held at Wise Guys Bar and Grill in Princeton.

“I think it went very well,” said Doty on Monday. “We’re very pleased with the turnout and everything. I don’t have it totally figured out yet; I’m working on the numbers now. But it looks like we made in the ballpark of about $20,000.”

Thirty-two sculptures — 17 cats and 15 dogs — were auctioned off to the highest bidders.

“They’ve all found new homes,” Doty said. “They’ve all been adopted.”

The FOS fundraiser began 14 months ago, when FOS solicited artists to submit drawings/designs of cats and dogs. From there, businesses in the area chose a design they wanted and sponsored a sculpture. The artists went to work, creating a colorful display of cats and dogs from their artwork.

On July 12, the sculptures were complete, and a parade down Princeton’s Main Street showcased the work, prior to being placed on display for public viewing in front of the sponsors’ business establishments. Other events leading up to Saturday’s auction included a dinner for the artists at the Chestnut Street Inn in Sheffield, an Art Detective game, and a two-day show at the Prairie Arts Center in Princeton.

“It’s been an enormous project,” Doty said. “There was a lot of stumbling on our part because it was the first time, but if we do it again, we’ll make some changes to make it easier for everyone.”

Tom and Mary Tumbleson of Tumbleson Auction Service in Princeton donated their time to auction off the sculptures. The first item auctioned was dubbed “The Pick of the Litter,” and the person who bid the highest was able to take their choice of the 32 sculptures. One bidder spent $2,800 to earn that honor. The second pick of the litter went for $1,300.

“This was a wonderful way for people to get a piece of artwork from many well-known artists in the area,” Doty said. “These artists are used to getting hundreds, thousands, for their work, and this was a fun way for area people to get a one-of-a-kind piece of art.”

While $20,000 might sound like a lot of dog biscuits and kitty litter, Doty said the money will go toward the stray animal population that calls the FOS No-Kill Animal Shelter “home.” With tough economic times, Doty said donations have been down, and people are abandoning their animals at the shelter at an alarming rate. All in all, though, the Art ... Well-Groomed event will certainly help FOS continue its mission of providing care for Bureau County’s stray animal population, she said.

Doty said she appreciates all the support FOS has received from the community, as well as the city of Princeton.

“It’s too early to tell if we’ll do it again,” Doty said. “It was pretty successful, and everything I’ve heard through this entire event has been positive.”

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