Kitty Humbug™ > Art for Animals

Art for Animals

Preventing animal cruelty. Saving pets from euthanasia. Rehabilitating injured wildlife. These are among the programs supported by Art for Animals, a nonprofit foundation formed in 1999 by Diana Madaras, owner of Madaras Gallery in Tucson, Arizona.

In its first 10 years the Foundation has donated more than $150,000 to a variety of groups that help ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned animals, including dogs, cats, and horses, as well as wildlife

• The Humane Society of Southern Arizona — For pets' lifesaving medical care, and to rescue animals from abusive situations where domestic violence has occurred.
• 88 Crime and the Pima County Animal Cruelty Task Force — To help apprehend and prosecute people charged with animal abuse.
• Equine Voices Rescue & Sanctuary — Seed money for saving unwanted horses and foals from slaughter.
• Therapeutic Riding of Tucson — For equine programs that help people with special needs. Madaras also donated her own horse Bisbee to work at TROT.

Art for Animals is funded with proceeds from select events at Madaras Gallery, as well as private donations. One highly successful fundraiser in 2008 followed Madaras' adventurous photographic safari to Africa. The paintings created as a result of the trip comprised the African Sojourn art show, and Madaras donated 100% of the proceeds from the sale of original paintings to the Foundation. Several other prominent artists also donated their work to the show, which raised an astonishing $80,000 for five charities in Tucson and South Africa.

Another huge fundraising effort is the Kitty Humbug project. Part of the proceeds from the art, holiday cards, clothing, plush toy, children's book and other Kitty Humbug products will go to animals in need. (Read more about this project on the Kitty Humbug page)

Madaras, who has felt an intense, lifelong connection to animals, comes from a family with a long track record of helping them. Both her father and brother are veterinarians; Madaras grew up in an apartment attached to the veterinary hospital founded by her father. Madaras' sister has produced and hosted television programs promoting the adoption of homeless animals for more than a dozen years for the PBS station in New Jersey.

Creating beautiful art. Helping animals in need. The two great loves of artist Diana Madaras were brought together when she founded Art for Animals in conjunction with the opening of her art gallery. Countless animals now live safer, healthier lives thanks to one artist's decision to give back.

To make a tax-deductible contribution to Art for Animals, please contact Madaras Gallery at 520-623-4000 or email Diana@madaras.com.