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Politics & Government

Dunedin Women Branch Out Their Big Hearts for Pets

A pair of local women who are behind the Dunedin "Mutts for Murals" have launched another project to help the Pinellas County Animal Services Center.

Dawn Carney and Anna Hamilton simply love animals. Maybe more than people.

The women's non-profit Murals for Mutts recently landed a new project with the county. Murals for Mutts and Pinellas County Animal Services launched Pinellas Paws Cause to bring awareness to animals in need of a good home and to help make the long days of those who work with homeless pets a little brighter.

Pinellas pet owners can have Hamilton paint a portrait of their favorite furry or feathered friend for $100. In turn, monies from the portraits will go toward the Animal Welfare Trust Fund, and the beloved pet will adorn the walls of the Pinellas County Animal Services center.

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"Those walls are just white and blank," Carney said. "These portraits will help brighten [county employees] workplace."

Carney noted that the county is required to accept all animals that are brought into the center.

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Per the Pinellas County Animal Services website, the facility takes care of over 24,000 animals annually. Last year of the 18,235 animals impounded, 4,965 found new homes after adoption and 11,181 of the impounded animals were euthanized.

"It's depressing," Carney said.

Hamilton (famed for the Dogedin mural downtown) and Carney launched a the non-profit Murals for Mutts about a year ago.

For information on the Pinellas Paws Cause, visit the website for Murals for Mutts or e-mail muralsformutts@gmail.com

[Updated 9:33 a.m., Oct. 17, 2011]

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