Awkward Pet Portraits 2026
August 17
Awkward Pet Portraits 2026
Orders close January 31
Digital portraits delivered February 14
Awkward Pet Portraits is a joyful, slightly surprising community fundraiser supporting the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation. Local student artists and professional artists create one-of-a-kind pet portraits that celebrate the quirks, expressions, and undeniable charm of the animals we love.
Some portraits are heartfelt.
Some are… creatively interpretive.
All of them support shelter animals who need us!
How it works
- Click the “Order my portrait!” button
- Select the number of digital portraits or shelter portraits you would like to order
- Upload a photo of your pet if applicable
- Make a $35 donation per portrait
What you’ll receive
Digital Pet Portraits ($35)
- A digital portrait of your pet, created by a community artist
- Delivered by email on February 14
- Perfect for sharing, printing, or gifting
Shelter Pet Portraits ($35)
- A digital portrait of an adoptable shelter pet
- Randomly assigned
- A small way to help a shelter animal get seen and supported
Join us on March 6th for the Awkward Pet Portrait Exhibit at The Painted Cork in Santa Cruz
The Awkward Pet Portrait Exhibition is free and open to the public. Some original art will be available at the exhibit for an additional $15 donation.
Why it matters
100% of proceeds support the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Foundation, helping provide daily care, medical support, enrichment, and second chances for animals in our community.
This fundraiser is about more than art, it’s about:
- Supporting shelter animals
- Celebrating creativity at every level
- Bringing people together around something joyful and meaningful
A few good things to know
- One pet per portrait
- No revisions (the charm is in the surprise)
- Digital portraits delivered by email on February 14
- More than one pet?
Email us: awkward@scanimalshelter.org
Thank you for supporting shelter animals, student artists, and a community that believes love—and art—doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.
Let’s get awkward.
