Animal art will aid its subjects

Suzie Harrison

Watching his expressions is unforgettable. His nickname is Starbuck;

he’s an adorable five-month-old black Labrador mix with white on his

back paws and a dab of white on his chest. He has his own bed, plenty

of food and a place to stay that is clean and heated.

Along with his health care and exercise needs, he is taken care of

with love on a daily basis. Hopefully, he’ll move on to a more

permanent home soon, but they’re keeping him happy and healthy in the

meantime -- but that takes money.

To help that effort, a group of Laguna professional artists have

joined forces with the Laguna Beach Animal Shelter and its nonprofit

Pet Responsibility Committee with a benefit art exhibit and sale,

“Animal Chemistry,” which opened April 1 at Wells Fargo Bank’s

Banking on Art.

“Joan Corman developed the theme,” said Mike Tauber, city arts

commissioner who came up with the idea for the benefit. “I often

think very philanthropically and go to the shelter periodically, on a

break, and play with the dogs and cats. I thought it would be fun to

make it a fundraiser for the shelter.”

The art exhibited is nature themed and will feature everything

from ants to zebras. Ten Laguna professional artists are

participating and will donate 15% of their sales to the Pet

Responsibility Committee of the Laguna Shelter.

Pet Responsibility chair Gen McMenomy said the exhibit will help

the needs of the animals. A collective of artists have never done

anything like this since the nonprofit’s incorporation in 1979.

The city bought the shelter from the American Society for the

Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1979. Though the city pays for

many expenses, the responsibility committee provides for needs as

well.

“We pay for vet expenses over and above what the city can pay --

like when a special operation is needed,” McMenomy said. “Some

orthopedic [procedures] are very expensive -- rather than euthanize

[we would] rather have that done.”

The Pet Responsibility Committee sponsors myriad low-cost clinical

programs, improvements and also helps with behavioral problems.

“Adoption rates are way up, good adoptions,” McMenomy said.

“Euthanasia doesn’t happen unless there are severe health problems

[that can’t be fixed] or severe behavioral problems.”

“Animal Chemistry” will run through April 30 at Wells Fargo Bank

at 260 Ocean Ave. Donations can be made in care of the Pet

Responsibility Committee, Inc. PO Box 104 Laguna Beach, CA 92652. The

Laguna Beach Animal Shelter is at 20612 Laguna Canyon Road. For

information about making a donation, call (949) 497-3552.