FINAL DAY

Orders close at 11:59 pm tonight - January 31

If you have any issues purchasing a portrait, please email us at: awkward@scanimalshelterfoundation.org

Awkward Pet Portraits is a joyful, slightly surprising community fundraiser supporting the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation. Local student artists and professional artists create one-of-a-kind pet portraits that celebrate the quirks, expressions, and undeniable charm of the animals we love.

Some portraits are heartfelt.
Some are… creatively interpretive.
All of them support shelter animals who need us!

How it works

Click the "Order My Portrait" button
Select the number of digital portraits, shelter portraits, or professional original artwork you would like to order
Upload a photo of your pet if applicable
Donate:

$35 Awkward Digital Portrait or a Shelter Pet Portrait

$50 Original Artwork from a Claraty Arts Studio Artist

$100 Original Artwork from a Featured Artist

Receive your digital portrait on February 14th.

Original artwork available for pick up at the SCC Animal Shelter.

What you’ll receive

🐾 Digital Pet Portraits ($35)

A digital portrait of your pet, created by a community artist, delivered by email on February 14

🐕 Shelter Pet Portraits ($35)

A digital portrait of an adoptable shelter pet; a small way to help a shelter animal get seen and supported

🎨 Original Artwork by Claraty Arts Studio Artists ($50)

The Claraty Arts Project is an arts program, studio and gallery in Santa Cruz committed to the equality and empowerment of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities.

🎨 Original Artwork by Featured Artists ($100)

Commission original artwork directly from one of our local featured artists. Quantities are limited.

Karina North, Suzy Rad, Jane Ferguson, Jeri Anderson, Susan Tappero, Jae Liang

Join us on March 6th for the Awkward Pet Portrait Exhibit

The Painted Cork in Santa Cruz

The Awkward Pet Portrait Exhibition is free and open to the public. Some original art will be available at the exhibit for an additional $15 donation.

Why it matters

100% of proceeds support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, helping provide daily care, medical support, enrichment, and second chances for animals in our community.

This fundraiser is about more than art, it’s about:

Supporting shelter animals
Celebrating creativity at every level
Bringing people together around something joyful and meaningful

A few good things to know

One pet per portrait
No revisions (the charm is in the surprise)
Digital portraits delivered by email on February 14
More than one pet?

Email us: awkward@scanimalshelterfoundation.org

Thank you for supporting shelter animals, student artists, and a community that believes love—and art—doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.

Let’s get awkward. 🐾

Awkward Pet Portraits 2026 - FINAL DAY

By Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation

Awkward Pet Portraits 2026 - FINAL DAY

Our 2nd annual awkward fundraiser! Community made art in support of our local animals in need.