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  • Arts and Entertainment
    'Poorly drawn pets'
    Must-see drawings from Pasadena Humane fundraiser
    By  Makenna Sievertson
    Published September 18, 2025 2:29 PM

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    Six white pieces of paper with drawn dogs and cats in colored pencil and marker, with photos of the animals stapled to the corner of each paper.
    Some of the artwork from Pasadena Humane's poorly drawn pets fundraiser.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    Topline:

    Pasadena Humane’s “poorly drawn pets fundraiser” wrapped up Thursday after yielding some hilarious and heartwarming portraits.

    How it works: Owners across the country submitted photos of their cats, dogs, birds, turtles, hamsters and horses on Facebook with a small donation to be turned into works of art by a team of shelter staff and volunteers.

    Why it matters: Alyssa Staniland,  Pasadena Humane’s philanthropy communications manager, told LAist the fundraiser exceeded expectations with around $11,000 raised across more than 450 submissions.

    Abou the art: Pasadena Humane assured people that they’re a lot better at caring for animals than they are at drawing them. Some of the animals were done by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best.

    What's next: If you missed out on the fundraiser, don’t worry, you’ll have another shot soon. Pasadena Humane is hoping to make it an annual tradition, Staniland said.

    Read on ... to see some of the best pet renditions.

    Pasadena Humane’s “poorly drawn pets fundraiser” wrapped up Thursday after yielding some hilarious and heartwarming portraits.

    Owners across the country submitted photos of their cats, dogs, birds, turtles, hamsters and horses on Facebook with a small donation to be turned into works of art by a team of shelter staff and volunteers.

    Pasadena Humane assured people they’re a lot better at caring for animals than they are at drawing them. Some of the animals were done by extremely talented artists. The others … tried their best.

    Alyssa Staniland,  Pasadena Humane’s philanthropy communications manager, told LAist the fundraiser exceeded expectations with around $11,000 raised across more than 450 submissions.

    “ Every donation that comes in is really providing life-saving care to these animals that are coming from our community, “ Staniland said. “And you're making a difference in a really, really fun way.”

    LAist favorites from the fundraiser

    A black dog with a white patch on its chest is laying on a couch with its tongue resting slightly out of the side of its mouth.
    The real Finn, a rescue dog from Florida.
    (
    Courtesy Andy Guz
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn dog with a pink tongue sticking out of its mouth.
    The portrait Finn, drawn by Pasadena Humane volunteers.
    (
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Andy Guz
    )

    Owner Andy Guz told LAist that Finn was rescued from the streets of Miami.

    Guz said they donated to Pasadena Humane during January’s devastating fires and were happy to have the opportunity to do it again — “and get this masterpiece” in the meantime.

    A brown, black and white dog is lounging in a dog bed next to a white and brown cat.
    The real Scout and Izzy.
    (
    Courtesy Anna Su
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn portrait of a dog and cat with the words "You can't sit with us" on the top right.
    The portrait version of Scout and Izzy from Pasadena Humane volunteers.
    (
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Anna Su
    /
    Facebook
    )

    Anna Su told LAist she ended up commissioning a dozen photos from the fundraiser, including Scout and Izzy.

    A large black Labrador is laying on the floor on top of a grayish brown carpet.
    The real Hank.
    (
    Courtesy Emily Bailey
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn portrait of a dog daydreaming with about a red steak to the right of his head.
    The portrait Hank, who apparently was hungry for steak.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Emily Bailey
    )

    After a pet photo was submitted on the Facebook fundraiser, they were printed out and paired with a volunteer in Pasadena Humane’s makeshift art room, which was stocked with colored pencils, markers and paper.

    A tan and white Shiba Inu dog lounging in a bed of white sheets and blankets.
    The real Zoe.
    (
    Courtesy Alison Rubke
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn portrait of a Shiba Inu dog in brown and tan marker.
    The portrait Zoe, drawn by Pasadena Humane volunteers.
    (
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Alison Rubke
    /
    Facebook
    )

    Owner Alison Rubke told LAist she thought the fundraiser was such a cool idea and hopes more shelters follow suit.

    A pair of brown dogs are laying next to each other on a carpeted floor. The dog closest to the camera has its long narrow mouth wide open.
    The real Kevin and Pepper.
    (
    Courtesy Nichole Littlewood
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn portrait of two dogs, one brown on the left and a white one on the right, laying next to each other. The brown one has its mouth wide open, with a pink tongue sticking out around its teeth.
    The portrait Kevin and Pepper, drawn by Pasadena Humane volunteers.
    (
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Nichole Littlewood
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A black and tan dog is sitting on the ground, with its head angled up towards the camera and mouth slightly open. A blurry tail can be seen wagging on the top left.
    The real Pepsi.
    (
    Courtesy Barb Levin
    /
    Facebook
    )
    A hand drawn portrait of a black and brown boxy dog with a red collar hanging from its neck.
    The portrait Pepsi, drawn by Pasadena Humane volunteers.
    (
    Courtesy Pasadena Humane and Barb Levin
    /
    Facebook
    )

    Pasadena Humane did the poorly drawn pets fundraiser once before in 2021 on a much smaller scale during the COVID-19 pandemic.

    A hand drawn portrait of a tortoise in black pen, with the real photo of the tortoise stapled to the top right corner.
    A few turtles and tortoises were submitted to the fundraiser.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    While most of the submissions were dogs and cats, there were some portraits of other cute critters.

    A hand drawn simplistic portrait of a cat frowning, with the real picture of the black and white cat stapled to the top left of the paper.
    Pasadena Humane has held onto all of the original artwork and pet pictures.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    The fundraiser included a wide range of artistic abilities.

    A hand drawn picture of a dog laying down with some pig-like features, including a round nose. The real picture of the brown and white dog is stapled to the bottom right corner of the paper.
    Pasadena Humane's volunteer artists drew every single pet picture that was submitted before the noon Thursday deadline.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    “There are some people just drawing stick figures and some people making these masterpieces,” Staniland said, “which they're all beautiful, don't get me wrong.”

    A hand drawn portrait of a chihuahua with a huge head and round eyes. The real picture of the tan dog is stapled to the bottom right hand side of the paper.
    Some of the pet portraits included exaggerated features.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    Some of the portraits truly captured the essence of the pet.

    A white piece of printer paper with a hand drawn dog on it in color pencil. A small real photo of the dog is placed on the table next to it.
    Pasadena Humane invited LAist to get in on the art action and draw a pet.
    (
    Makenna Sievertson
    /
    LAist
    )

    Pasadena Humane invited this LAist reporter into the drawing room shortly before the fundraiser closed Thursday.

    To the owners of this dog, I’m not sure if I should say sorry or you’re welcome for fitting the theme.

    If you missed out on the fundraiser, don’t worry, you’ll have another shot soon. Pasadena Humane is hoping to make it an annual tradition, Staniland said.
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