Art is a curious beast, and when you go into an art gallery, you never quite know what you are going to find — art takes many forms and is expressed many ways.
But you’re not likely going to be prepared to find kittens, as visitors to wildlife artist Terry Isaac’s gallery in Cherry Lane Shopping Centre did on Saturday.
“I love animals, and I love domestic and wild animals,” said Isaac, who was lending space in his gallery to help out AlleyCats Alliance, which rescues feral and orphaned felines throughout the Okanagan.
“I feel better in my heart knowing that I am helping and these cats need a home,” said Isaac. “I adopted a cat last year and I think it is a worthy cause. I care about wild animals and wild habitat and this is just part of my plan to help the world.”
Isaac also raffled off a number of items, including a limited edition print of Orchard Quail, a quail with apple blossoms, and a limited edition print of a bobcat mother and baby.
AlleyCats volunteer Sharleen Lauzon was delighted with Isaac’s generosity.
“It gets us a spot in the mall for exposure, and because this is his private space, we can have kittens here,” said Lauzon. “They are a big attraction.”
Lauzon pointed out that they are careful about the adoptions, and the three male kittens wouldn’t be adopted out that day.
“We have an adoption form, and then we check out their details and make sure they are ready for a kitten and there is a suitable home,” said Lauzon.
Money raised through the raffles goes straight to support Alleycats’ work.
“We’re always in the process of fundraising, we are looking for funds to keep the organization going,” said Lauzon. “It is completely 100 per cent volunteer-based. We don’t have any paid employees.”