‘Poorly Drawn Pets’ fundraiser returns to support Animal Samaritans as shelters face summer strain

THOUSAND PALMS, Calif. (KESQ) - As local animal shelters face one of their most challenging times of the year, Animal Samaritans is bringing back a lighthearted fundraiser with a serious purpose.

The nonprofit's annual "Poorly Drawn Pets" campaign invites pet owners to donate $20 in exchange for a hand-drawn portrait of their pet. While the artwork is designed to spark laughs, every donation helps support Animal Samaritans' mission of caring for animals across the Coachella Valley.

Shelter officials say summer presents unique challenges.

"The shelters are always overcrowded," one staff member said. "During the summer, we have a lot of our volunteers that are snowbirds. They leave during the summer, and then when we're in need of fosters, it's harder to find them... Especially for fostering because that is usually when kitten season starts."

To help meet those needs, volunteers are once again putting their artistic talents—or lack thereof—to work.

"We're not that good at art, it's just a lot of fun," another staff member said. "You never know what you're going to get."

The fundraiser has become a community favorite. Last year, volunteers created more than 200 pet portraits, raising money for shelter programs that support both shelter animals and local pet owners.

"Whether that is shelter costs, medical care, spay and neuter services, every donation helps."

News Channel 3's Luis Avila will once again participate as one of the fundraiser's celebrity artists.

The "Poorly Drawn Pets" fundraiser runs throughout August.

For information, click here.

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