Annual Bideawee Art Contest And Expo

Who says Valentine’s Day is reserved for couples of the traditional, romantic sort?

For the fourth consecutive year, Bideawee and children across the East End are proving that the romantic holiday is anything but. At this pet adoption center, love simply transcends species.

Welcome to the “Love Your Pet Art Contest and Expo.”

This year, hundreds of children, from kindergarten through the eighth grade, were inspired to submit artwork—from drawings and photos to sculptures and finger paintings—to Bidawee’s annual contest as a loving gesture to their fluffy friends, according to event manager Amy Hraniotis.

The first 300 entries will be on exhibit from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Westhampton adoption facility. Contest winners will be featured in Bidawee’s monthly e-newsletter and will receive prizes from Splish Splash, Dave & Busters and Tanger Outlets.

“We wanted something fun for kids to do around Valentine’s Day that would really showcase some of our animals and the love for pets that children have, a way younger supporters could show how they feel about the animals at the adoption center and the animals they have at home,” Ms. Hraniotis explained during a telephone interview last week. “Art would be a great way to do that.”

But the event doesn’t just stop with the artwork. During the “Love Your Pet Art Contest and Expo,” visitors will be encouraged to tour the facility and spend some time playing with the animals up for adoption, Ms. Hraniotis said.

“It’s a great success across the board—for volunteers, donations and adoptions,” she said. “We’re always looking for volunteers. Always. They’re really the backbone of the organization.”

Bideawee, which means “stay awhile” in Scottish, was founded in 1903 and continues to be one of the country’s oldest animal welfare and pet adoption organizations. All of its funding is provided by private sources and raised during events such as the upcoming expo, Ms. Hraniotis said.

“It’s wonderful to see the beautiful work these kids do and how their animals, and our animals, really affect their lives,” she said. “Plus, this is a way to give back to Bideawee.”

Bideawee’s fourth annual “Love Your Pet Art Contest and Expo” will display artwork from local students on Saturday, February 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the U Learning Center at the adoption center’s Westhampton location. Admission is $5. All proceeds benefit the center. For more information, call (516) 785-4687, ext. 7369 or visit bideawee.org.