Local artist Karlia Engel paints a custom keychain in her art studio Thursday. The artist is selling the keychains for $20 each, with all proceeds going directly to APARC. She can be reached on Instagram @karlia.art--NEWS PHOTO MO CRANKER
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
A local artist is doing what she can to help out Alberta Pound and Rescue Centres during these tough times.
Karlia Engel started painting custom wood keychains a couple months ago, then decided to sell them at the Page and Whisker downtown to support the animal organization.
“Just last month alone at APARC, there was 71 new intakes – that’s just cats,” she said. “Only 12 of those 71 got reclaimed by their owner. It’s been really difficult for them with COVID.
“I know APARC always needs help with food, vet bills, medicine and other stuff – this is a way for me to help where I can.”
Each keychain takes Engel between one and four hours to finish. People are encouraged to send photos of their pets to her to get one done.
“People can send me a message on Instagram or Facebook and they can send me pictures of their pets,” she said. “There’s a bit of a lineup right now, but I’m getting them done as soon as I can.”
Each keychain is $20 and money can be e-transferred to the local artist, which will be donated to the pound.
Engel has been doing commissions for almost a decade. She works at the Page and Whisker and has four cats. She says pets have always been an important part of her life.
“I love animals,” she said. “I grew up with them and my family has always tried to rescue animals.
“I’ve always found it really sad that animals end up in shelters and pounds.”
The Page and Whisker has a small selection of keychains for sale with limited supply.
Custom orders can be made by contacting Engel on social media. Her Instagram page is @karlia.art
