Posted in: Comics | Tagged: charity, Comics, dynamite, entertainment, Grumpy Cat, Saved Whiskers Animal Rescue Organization

You May Actually Be Saving Feline Lives By Buying Grumpy Cat #1 Today

Today, as Grumpy Cat #1 hits shelves, there's a special cover drawn by Ken Haeser which will benefit the charity: Saved Whiskers Rescue Organization, founded by Pamela J. Ott. It wouldn't have occurred to me at first glance that Grumpy Cat's rise to fame at actually a rather young age could have a beneficial impact on awareness for animal charities, but it really should have. So many meme-stars and Youtube sensations make money, why not redirect some of that attention toward doing good for Grumpy's species? Ott and Dynamite had this grand idea and saw it through.

The charity is offering purchase of the special cover, and also giving higher tier options for a signed comic and even a sketched in comic by Ken Haeser.

I chatted with Ott about the passion behind the Rescue Organization and how Grumpy Cat fits into the picture:

Hannah Means-Shannon: Can you tell us what inspires you about Saved Whiskers Rescue Organization?

Pamela J. Ott: Plain & simple. The cats! Especially, the stray & feral cats that no one seems to care about. I am a certified veterinary technician and I love helping animals. While working at a cat only veterinary hospital, I started to realize that as much as I love helping animals, that the cats coming in the veterinary hospital were mostly those with owners who could afford to take care of them. But many of the cats that I would come across were stray or feral cats, that had no one to take care of them. Most of the cats I found were abandoned or like in the case of Saved Whiskers Rescue's mascot kitty, "Whiskers", he was abused. None of the cats that I started helping had a home to go to, so I decided to foster the cats until someone wanted to adopt them. I just felt so bad for them.   I would see them out on the street skinny, trying to search for food, having litter after litter of kittens, suffering out in the cold, harsh weather, it's heartbreaking, and that's what inspired me to help as many cats as I could while providing veterinary care & nurturing until their forever home was found.

HMS: What made you think of the way in which comics could help raise awareness for the charity?

PJO: I'm always looking for ways to help raise money to help me pay for food and medical expenses for all the stray & feral cats I rescue. When Dynamite had announced the Grumpy Cat license, they suggested an exclusive cover to help raise awareness and funds for the organization. Dynamite was able to create an exclusive cover for Saved Whiskers Rescue Organization. Once Dynamite brought the idea up, I thought it was brilliant because, many of the wonderful comic artists, creators & fans love cats. So once they put it in my head, it was a no brainer. We are so fortunate that one of Dynamite's artists on the comic, Ken Haeser, created an incredible cover with Grumpy Cat surrounded by strays and with Whiskers in the background looking on, with Grumpy saying "The things I'll do for a good cause." It's so well done. I couldn't be happier!

HMS: How will the charitable support work? What part can comics fans play?

PJO: Right now, if anyone would like to buy the Grumpy Cat #1 Saved Whiskers Exclusive Cover it will help raise money that we desperately need. Comic fans can also help play a huge part of supporting Saved Whiskers Rescue Organization's mission by supporting us monetarily with donations and also by getting the word out about us.

HMS: Do you think that Grumpy Cat has helped raise awareness of the role pets play in our lives? Is she a good ambassador for a charitable focus?

PJO: ABSOLUTELY!!!!! Grumpy Cat is a household name who reminds people that cats have personality and are a huge part of family! Even non-cat lovers know Grumpy cat & can't resist her cuteness.  With all her followers, she is a great help to all animals.

HMS: How would you suggest that readers can get more involved in local animal charities?

PJO: I would suggest that anyone interested in helping their local animal rescues or shelters that they do a Google search for the area they live in to find a local rescue/shelter. They could also go to Petfinder.com and search that way. I know first hand as the founder of Saved Whiskers Rescue Organization Inc. that we are always looking for volunteers & rely on them heavily. Without volunteers we couldn't do half of what we do.

Find out more about the Rescue Organization, and even order your special charity cover of Grumpy Cat #1 right here.

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