The Fire Escape art shop in Oshkosh is hosting another “Painting with Cats” event April 12, in a fundraising effort with Frosty’s Foster Animal Rescue.
This is the fourth such event for the partnership, with the last event on March 15 raising just under $800.
Rebecca Graf, the owner of Fire Escape, said fundraising events like these are not uncommon for the store.
“A bunch of the non-profits in the area will reach out to us to do fundraisers,” Graf said. “So now we do one almost every month.”
Graf said customers bring home more than just the artwork they create at these events.
“There’s been plenty of puppy and kitty adoptions,” Graf said. “(Adopters) get to meet the cat, spend time with the cat, and then they fall in love.”
Graf said Fire Escape, a non-profit, is always prepared for these events.
“There’s usually five or six workers that are here with (the cats),” Graf said. “We keep (the cats) in the party room.”
Fire Escape hosts other more unconventional events like “Painting with Goats,” and Graf said she has experience hosting painting events with almost every animal.
“I’ve done ‘Painting with Highland Cows’ and I’ve done ‘Painting with a Sloth,’” Graf said. “I’m looking for piglets now.”
Even though the event is full for Sunday, Graf said there are still ways to participate in the fundraiser.
“They can pop in and drop off money for the fundraiser,” Graf said. “People can also bring in food, kitty litter, anything for the animals.”
Those who want to donate but are unable to do so in person can contact Graf through Fire Escape’s Facebook page or fireescapeart.com.
