Coloring contest to raise awareness, honor animal lover | News

HERMITAGE — An annual coloring contest will help introduce children to the Tails of Hope spay/neuter clinic while honoring the legacy of animal lover Jean Harnett and her cat Bootsie.

Tails of Hope is running the coloring contest through Jan. 25, according to a press release.

The coloring sheet, featuring Bootsie dressed in a mask and cape to represent the “superhero” legacy,” may be picked up from Tails of Hope or downloaded throughout January from the Tails of Hope website, TailsofHopeWPA.org.

“Kids 12 and under are invited to have fun coloring Bootsie with siblings, friends and classmates using whatever coloring items they wish,” a press release states.

Harnett enjoyed celebrating her birthday all month long. Since 2022, Tails of Hope has celebrated January as “Jean and Bootsie Month.”

Known as a lifelong animal lover, Harnett’s efforts to help animals continued long after her passing.

Harnett established the Glenn and Jean Harnett Private Charitable Foundation and funded the foundation with gifts from her estate at the time of her death and from her trust following her death.

Since then, grant awards from the Harnett Foundation have supported services at Tails of Hope for over 1,900 animals since 2020.

Grants have been awarded for both the Tails of Hope Spay and Neuter Angel Program, or SNAP, for those in need of financial assistance for their pets’ services, and for the Trap-Neuter-Return program for homeless stray and feral community cats.

“These programs improve the lives of pets and homeless animals and reduce entry into already overcrowded and overburdened shelter and rescues in the first place,” the release states.

Located in the Thomas M. O’Brien Animal Care Center in Hermitage, Tails of Hope is a nonprofit clinic that offers spaying and neutering services at low to no cost.

“We want kids to have fun and understand that everyone has the power to change a life,” Tails of Hope Executive Director Soraya Hejazi said.

Two winners will be chosen, including one winner from the category for up through age 7 and one winner from the 8-12 age category. Winners will be contacted individually and receive a fun and creative prize pack.

See Tails of Hope’s website for more details. Entries must be received at Tails of Hope by no later than what would be Jean’s 93rd birthday on Jan. 25. Pick up or drop off coloring sheets from Tails of Hope, 2450 Hoezle Road, Hermitage, 16148 during regular office hours, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays or Fridays.

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