Keeping Pets & People Safe

Seventeen local artists will join paws to help the animal victims of domestic violence during the Zoonitas Extravaganza Exhibition benefiting the Animal Safehouse Program at Rancho Coastal Humane Society. An opening reception will be held on Saturday, July 26, from 1-4pm at the Encinitas Library Gallery, offering guests the rare opportunity to step into “virtual studios.” Each artist will have one hour to complete an original handmade work of art. Participants include wildlife and landscape artist Gary Johnson, muralist and fine art instructor Linda Luisi, and Joan Hanson, a nature artist, instructor, and book illustrator. During a silent auction afterward the guests with the highest bids will take home the original works of art “fresh off the easel.”

 
“Safehouse is a safety net for the pets of domestic violence victims,” says Amy Heflin, director of the program. “When they know their pets will be safe, it allows them to escape and break the chain of violence. Safehouse is also a lifeline for veterans, senior citizens, accident victims, and — most recently — victims of the fires.” (760.519.1551, www.zooinitas.zohosites.com)