RSPCA illustrating illegal puppy trade

Artists donate pieces to raise money for campaign

ANIMAL lovers got their hands on beautiful illustrations for a good cause when the RSPCA held an auction to raise awareness of the underground puppy trade.

More than 30 illustrators and celebrities have donated artworks to the animal welfare charity to raise money for the Scrap the Puppy Trade campaign.

Illustrator and RSPCA supporter Helen Oxenbury organised the event alongside the charity.

The award-winning artist, who is best known for her drawings in We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, has donated three pictures to the cause.

Helen said: “I donated a picture to another charity before and thought it could be something nice to do for this campaign.

“It’s disgusting to think of people making substantial amounts of money out of the suffering of animals. The puppy trade is despicable so I hope we can raise money to enable the RSPCA to prosecute the ghastly people who are doing this, and to help them stamp out this appalling trade once and for all.”

There will also be pictures available from Quentin Blake, Raymond Briggs, Judith Kerr, Tony Ross and even a special illustration by comedian Ricky Gervais.

The one-of-a-kind pieces were due to be auctioned at an event at Burgh House in Hampstead yesterday (Tuesday), where the auctioneer was author and former politician Jeffrey Archer.

The illustrations

It’s so lovely to have all of these wonderful, talented people coming together to support our work to tackle the puppy trade”

will also be available at an online auction that closes on Tuesday October 18.

Event organiser Karen Branagh, from the RSPCA’s fundraising department, said: “It’s so lovely to have all of these wonderful, talented people coming together to support our work to tackle the puppy trade.

“Their illustrations are so happy and colourful. which is in stark contrast to the dark, gritty side of this underground trade that we are trying to abolish.

“Tackling large-scale, criminal operations like the trade in puppies is complicated, timeconsuming and costs a lot of money.

“The RSPCA is funded entirely by public donations from our incredible and dedicated supporters, so being able to raise additional money through events like this one is vital to continue our important work.”

To find out more, or to bid on an artwork, please visit the RSPCA’s auction website at www.rspca.org. uk.