PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Several designer dog houses are being auctioned online to help raise money for various charities.
It's called The Designer Dog House Fundraiser. East Falls artist Jay McClellan conceived it as the November project for his nonprofit organization, Benevolent Hound.
"I built nine blank dog houses," he said. "I painted them white just like blank canvases. I gave them out to interior designers, some fine artists, and I said, 'Let’s make these into dog houses and do them in your style. At the same time, I'm going to pair you with a nonprofit.'"
The nine dog houses, each with a unique design, are being auctioned online, with each benefiting a different organization. One house resembling a cathedral will benefit the Brandywine Valley SPCA.
Another with wooden shingles, a cushy floor and dog-themed wallpaper, will help raise money for Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation.
"My house is for helpusadopt.org," said McClellan at his studio. "It has a floral pattern on the outside of the house. On the inside of the house, it has like a ship lap that has been painted in similar colors that are on the outside of it. It has the classic Jay McClellan floor on the bottom which is in all of my paintings."
McClellan started Benevolent Hound in the beginning of the year to connect artists with nonprofits to benefit charities.