The fact that 219 pets a day die in Atlanta metro shelters may come as a shock to you. Most people don’t realize the number is so high.

Compare to 54 pets per day in Chicago and fewer than 400 pets every year in San Francisco, and it puts the severity of the pet overpopulation problem here in Atlanta in stark perspective.

To raise awareness about Atlanta’s disproportionately large homeless pet euthanasia rate and to raise money to support its programs to spay and neuter and find homes for dogs and cats, AARF is holding 219: The Show on April 18.

The art auction will feature 219 works from various Atlanta-area artists. Each piece will represent one dog or cat that will have lost his or her life in a county shelter that day. The art will be sold in both silent and live auctions, with all proceeds going to AARF’s rescue, spay and neuter and education programs. The organization’s fundraising goal for the event is to generate enough to support the rescue every pet that would die in the course of one day in metro Atlanta.

CALLING ALL ARTISTS: AARF is searching for artists and crafts people to donate art of any medium to be sold in a silent auction. Two special pieces will be chosen to sell during a live auction at the end of the event. All artists will be listed in the program and an artist bio will be posted by each donated piece. Artists interested in taking part should e-mail melissa@aarfatlanta.org.

CLICK HERE TO SEE A LIST OF SOME OF OUR ARTISTS

CALLING ALL BUSINESS OWNERS: Sponsorship opportunities for the event are available. Those interested in finding out more can email: susan@aarfatlanta.org or carrieann@aarfatlanta.org.