The Shelter Me project, a photographic fundraiser for local animal shelters was started by former Lyme resident, Karen Stevenson. Now in its fourth year, Shelter Me has expanded to raise money for nine different animal shelters/rescues in the state.
This year they welcomed a new addition to the project from Coventry. Tara Farm Rescue, a nonprofit animal sanctuary, is a home for unwanted, neglected and abused horses, cows, pigs, rabbits, chickens, goats, dogs and cats. The animals are rehabilitated, and when possible, placed in adoptive homes. This year’s calendar features Phoebe from Tara Farm, the first ever pig to be photographed for the project (see photo below.)
The Shelter Me project has been selling calendars and photographic prints to raise money for these great rescues, but this year they expanded to also offer notecards (see photo at left.) With all proceeds donated to the shelters, you can enjoy the beautiful notecards knowing you’re also helping out animals in need. The notecards come in themed packs of four featuring dog, cat, duck, farmyard or equine-themed images.
There is also an eight card “shelter pack,” which features a variety of animals. On the back of each card is the animal’s name, the shelter they came from, and a short description of Shelter Me so that the card’s receiver knows a donation was made through the purchase of the notecard. Notecards have been very popular and will be available year round.
And it’s not too late to purchase a 2013 calendar. They are a modern art calendar featuring photographs from each of the nine shelters. This year’s cover image features “Q-Tip” from the Meriden Humane Society. Other images of note are Ashley and Taco (from Beech Brook Equine Rescue in Mystic), who are miniature donkeys with Taco having been born to Ashley just one day before the photo shoot.
And at Pet Animals Welfare Society (PAWS) in Norwalk, Dottie was photographed, who is a blind cat and the first special needs animal to be featured in the calendar.
Other shelters and rescues that the project supports are Forgotten Felines in Clinton, the Majestic Waterfowl Sanctuary in Lebanon, Ray of Light Farm in East Haddam, Greener Pastures Rescue in Salem and Hop-A-Long Hollow in Norwalk.
For more information about the Shelter Me project visit www.thesheltermeproject.com
To place an order, visit their Etsy shop at www.etsy.com/shop/shelterme
