Draw for Paws keeps Scarlett ’s retentivity alert .
While Scarlett Chwatko was undergo handling for brain cancer , she was always dreaming up musical theme for how she could help animals and other pallid children . In December 2018 , she realized what her cause was pass to be . She pass her female parent , Robin Chwatko , a art object of newspaper publisher she had been scribbling on .
Scarlett had drawn what would become the Draw for Paws logotype . Scarlett explained that she need to aid theSPCA of Westchester . Her idea was unsubdivided : For every clip someone donated $ 20 to the SPCA , she would draw their favored or favorite animal . After Scarlett died at age 8 in March 2019 , her family , admirer , and residential district carried on her movement .
Photo: Courtesy of Carolyn Simpson
Now more than 75 artists participate in a platform , and the Scarly Squad ( everyone who participates inDraw for Pawsinitiatives ) has even avail preferred parent in need during the pandemic .
Scarlett’s Animal-Focused Life
" Scarlett was the most sovereign and spunky person I have ever met from a very untried old age , " Robin tells Daily Paws . Scarlett was born with a compassionateness for animals . Her first parole was even " dog . " Scarlett loved playing veterinary with her many ingurgitate animals — all of which had names , personalities , and favored foods . When she would leave for school , she would let her momma recognise who call for medicine during the Clarence Day .
Scarlett also get laid watch animal - center flick , TV shows , and happy rescue videos . Before the family unit could watch any motion picture or TV show , they had to checkdoesthedogdie.comto verify that no animals died or were injured .
For Scarlett ’s fourth birthday , she ask if she could have puppies and kitty attend and get toys for dogs alternatively of gift for herself . Robin reached out to the SPCA in Briarcliff Manor , N.Y. , to see if they could aid make this happen . The SPCA brought two puppy to her birthday party , and instead of gifts , all of her friend brought dog food and toys to donate .
Courtesy of Draw for Paws
This was only the scratch line of Scarlett and the Chwatkos relationship with the SPCA . The SPCA let Scarlett enter in their junior unpaid worker political program from a young years because of her matureness , compassionateness , and reliability . The Chwatkos enter in animal transports bringing dogs from protection in the South to shelters in the Northeast that are in a better situation to handle for them .
Scarlett also often served as a junior cage captain at adoption events , sitting amidst the puppy to keep them calm and happy until they were adopted . " Scarlett always pronounce that she wanted to be dipped in a bucket of puppies , " Robin says . " That was literally her being dipped in a bucket of pup .
In February 2016 , at 5 years old , Scarlett was diagnosed with a psyche tumor . She underwent handling for a year , went into remission for eight months , and then relapsed . " Until just a few calendar month before she give out , you would not have known that she was sick at all , " her mom says .
Courtesy of Draw for Paws
The Chwatkos had two rescue hot dog when Scarlett was born , and after one passed away they got Ollie . " Ollie and Scarlett were best friend from day one , " Robin sound out . " When we were croak for treatment all over the country , all she desire was to get back to Ollie . " Ollie was by Scarlett ’s side to her very last breath .
The Scarly Squad
After Scarlett came up with the concept for Draw for Paws during treatment , Robin buy her thedomain namefor the holidays that yr and transformed her drawing off into an official logo . They held their first business merging at a Starbucks in their town .
" She literally devote us the map to her bequest . "
When starting Draw for Paws , Robin asked Scarlett , " What if we get 1,000 order of magnitude ? " Scarlett quickly react , " Well then I ’ll do 1,000 rules of order . " It was n’t a question for her . Toward the end of Scarlett ’s life , Robin require , " If anyone else were to help you with this , who do you think would aid you ? " Scarlett immediately retrieve of her three best Quaker : Tate Shalov , Annabelle Fisher , and Grace Frieder .
Courtesy of Draw for Paws
When Scarlett go past , Robin hold a meeting with the three of them . They call themselves the Scarly Squad and quickly committed to convey on Draw for Paws . " The Scarly Squad has grown and grown and mature , " Robin says .
" For a kid to see losing a child around their age is something that is just unthinkable and impossible to realize , " she bestow . " To have this outlet has been so curative for them . It ’s a really happy matter rather than something that was so scandalous and sad and traumatic . "
All of the 75 artists from across the country who now contribute to Draw for Paws are member of the Scarly Squad . Robin is passionate about keeping Draw for Paws true to Scarlett . " It be her : her art , her humor , her Quaker , her love of animals , her lovingness and kind nature , " she says .
Courtesy of Draw for Paws
The web site is covered in her artwork , and to employ to be a Draw for Paws artist you must color in a bunny rabbit that Scarlett drew . " Every newfangled bunny that comes in is something that they ’ve join forces with her on , " she order .
Draw for Paws
Draw for Paws was formally register as a nonprofit at the closing of February 2020 . To engagement , Robin say Draw for Paws has contributed around $ 60,000 to a variety of animal - focused crusade .
Draw for Paws remain true to Scarlett ’s visual sensation by gifting pet portraits to anyone who donates $ 20 to the Westchester SPCA . The Scarly Squad admit artist from geezerhood 3 to 99 . They are currently working with senior inwardness and attend to living facilities who have art classes to get their resident physician call for .
People are always overjoyed when they receive their draft . Artists are indiscriminately assigned to pets , so the draftsmanship range from realistic to abstractionist . " In that scribble is that pet through a youngster ’s center , " Robin enounce . Some nipper simply capture the sparkle in a pet ’s eyes , a waggy tail , or a giant tongue through their perspective .
imbibe for Paws was even commissioned by the SPCA to draw portraits of Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest ’s pets . They gave the drawings to them as a natural endowment .
you’re able to find more charming favored portraits on the Draw for Paws / Scarly SquadInstagram page .
In October 2020 , a little young woman in Westchester asked Robin how they can help ducky during theCOVID-19 pandemic . Without a absolved solution , Robin surveyed fauna shelters to find out about their specific needs . fit in to their local shelters , nutrient insecurity has collide with people hard during COVID . " For every report you hear about shelter being cleared because multitude are acquire more brute there ’s another family that has to give up their pet due to nutrient insecurity , " Robin says .
" We found that partnering with food pantries that serve humans was a better mode to get the pet food directly to masses who needed it , " Robin says . They thought of the idea , now called Buddy Bowls , in October and first partnered withHOPE Community Servicesin November . They delivered 500 pounds of donate pet food for thought to the solid food pantry , and it was all go before Robin drive away .
" To recognise that we ’ve prolonged the clock time that they can have with their beast and to have intercourse that they ’re asking for it the next fourth dimension they follow around , I find like it ’s our duty , " she says . line for Paws is already influence to add a second food pantry partner for the program .
Draw for Paws also fund animal channelise through Scarlett ’s Rainbow Rescue . They primarily lick with theHomeward Bound Project of Mississippi , the transport computer program that Scarlett on a regular basis volunteered with .
The Future of Draw for Paws
With Scarlett ’s vision and direction , the future of Draw for Paws is shiny . They are already planning collaborations with well - known artist , online art classes , and initiative to helpsenior tax shelter dog .
" It ’s a cause that very few people wo n’t stand , " Robin says . " We roll in the hay our pets like family unit , so it ’s hard to disagree with the fact that we should be helping fauna . The cause is also something that kids can be enthusiastic about and take part in on their own . "
Robin dreams of having Draw for Paws all over the country to raise awareness for and assist in brute rescue and welfare . " We would hump to partner with shelters , transports , and especially small fry to join the Scarly Squad to move this into other city , " Robin says . Draw for Paws has the process down and has the mental ability to replicate it in other cities .
" If you worry about animals , we can get you demand , " she say . " you could be any age , any skill point , any type of liaison . We can help you start Draw for Paws in your region , and we can get you involve wherever you are . "
