BayTails

Last year the Berkeley East Bay Humane Society — which, as many of us will recall, hosts the wildly popular Bay to Barkers Dog Walk every July — decided to do something for the kitties. An art show, someone suggested. With a cat theme. Let's call it Purr-casso...

Local artists responded with enthusiasm, and there was quite a respectable fundraiser. Everybody was happy, and it seemed like this year's event would continue along much the same path. Then Bill Presing of Emeryville got into the act.

Bill's an artist and a cat person. When not on the job as a story artist at Pixar, he works on his own projects. His graphic novel, Rex Steele: Nazi Smasher, co-authored with fellow cat fan Matt Peters, is about to debut in France, and these days he's busy with the last-minute details.

Bill's not allowed to have cats where he lives, so he began volunteering at Berkeley Humane as a Cat Cuddler. "It's a good place to get my kitty fix," he says. On learning about plans for this year's Purr-casso, he decided he'd create a piece for the benefit.

He didn't keep the news to himself, either. Back in July he posted his plan in his blog, Daily Peril. Within days, fellow artist/bloggers were on board, donating works of their own and, in the case of one intrepid Canadian, launching their own successful fundraiser for the hometown shelter.

To the astonishment of the Humanes, donated art began pouring in from all over the country, and some from as far away as Japan. A week before the event, new pieces are still arriving — over 250 at last count, from nearly 100 different artists. From ceramics to comics to clothing, it's all unique, it's all donated, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to help the animals at Berkeley Humane.

One of them is Bill's two-panel illustration "Kitty Kiss," of which we show the second panel. Judging by the blog posts, demand is going to be high for this one...

Purr-casso takes place on November 4, 2007 at the Hollis Street Project, Grand Hallway, 5900 Hollis St., Emeryville, noon-4:00 p.m. Admission is free. For more info, see the Berkeley Humane Web site, or call (510)845-7735 ext. 13.

Patrick McDonnell returns to Books Inc. in Alameda to present his latest picture book featuring the characters from "Mutts," Hug Time. Jules the kitten is so filled with love he travels the world hugging everyone in his path.

Between the hours of 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. on this evening a portion of all sales will benefit the animals at the East Bay SPCA. Books Inc., 1344 Park Street, Alameda. For more information, please call: 510.522.2226

Mission, age 6 1/2, is a gentle, beautiful blue-and-white domestic medium hair cat. He's is a longtime resident of Saffron House at Pets Unlimited (http://www.petsunlimited.org/adopt/saffronhouse.htm), a dedicated haven for FIV+ kitties, but he's waiting patiently for his forever home.

FIV+ cats have vulnerable immune systems, but most of them live long and happy lives. Mission longs for his dream home where he can lie in the sun by the window and ponder the silly behaviors of the animals frolicking outside, while spoiling his new family with his calming presence. He must be kept indoors, and must be the only cat in the home or live with other FIV+ cats. To learn more about Mission, call 415-568-3058 or visit the Pets Unlimited shelter in San Francisco.

Pets Unlimited celebrates its 60th anniversary October 14 with an animal-themed gala at Herbst Theatre in San Francisco -- including Yorkie lover Amy Tan narrating Saint-Saëns' "Carnival of the Animals." Don't miss out! Get tickets and info here.

Update: As of October 3, all the puppies are safe and soon will be happily ensconced in loving homes!

We just got word that Alza Corporation's animal testing facility in Mountain View, which is being shut down after being bought by Johnson & Johnson, is trying to find homes for 40 16-month-old beagles.

We're not even going to speculate on what would have happened to these beagles had business continued as usual, but as it is, they've escaped the fate of many of their counterparts and have never been used for animal testing. To its credit, Alza's looking for individuals or rescues to ensure that they all get good loving homes. However, if no one steps up to take them by October 15, they'll be killed.

If your home needs a beagle, or if, like us, you think it's unconscionable that these youngsters should escape being research subjects only to be killed off anyway, Rick Bible wants to hear from you. You can reach him at azoulaybible@hotmail.com. Thanks from us and the pups!