Blue Cross launches Paws to Draw art competition – with ex-footballer David James as celebrity judge
A new family-friendly art competition launched by animal charity Blue Cross is offering kids – and grown-ups – the chance to get creative while learning about rescue pets
With the May half-term holidays just around the corner you'll want to start thinking about free but fun activities to keep the kids entertained. Enter Paws to Draw, a new nationwide competition that encourages budding artists of all ages to draw a picture of a homeless pet who has found a loving home, thanks to the work of Blue Cross’s rehoming team.
The campaign aims to highlight the rising number of homeless pets in the UK and inspire families to get involved in celebrating animal welfare through creativity.
Celebrity judge David James lends a paw
If your kids love both art and football, they'll be delighted to learn that former England goalkeeper and animal lover David James has stepped in as the celebrity judge, joining the Blue Cross team in picking seven regional winners. James, who is also a keen artist and proud owner of three cats, says he’s excited to see the range of entries.
Paws to Draw combines two of my favourite things, animals and drawing, so I think it is a great way for people to get creative this summer and perhaps even uncover a hidden talent they never knew they had! I’ve always been a big fan of the work that Blue Cross does, so I’m looking forward to seeing all the different drawings that celebrate the amazing pets who’ve found their second chance thanks to the charity.
Each regional winner will receive a framed copy of their artwork – and one lucky overall winner will have their drawing featured in a national press campaign later this summer.
Inspiring stories behind the sketches
Entrants will be given a choice of heartwarming rescue stories to base their drawings on. One of the animals featured is Mabel, a brave dog who was heartbreakingly abandoned outside a Blue Cross rehoming centre with a note and a bag of her belongings. Her previous owner explained they could no longer afford to care for her and wanted a better life for their beloved pet.
Thanks to Blue Cross, Mabel was rehomed with a loving family who promised to give her the happy future her owner had wished for.
We are passionate about finding homeless pets their forever home. Sadly, we are seeing a rise in numbers of homeless pets we are taking into our sites and placing with foster carers. We work tirelessly to care for them until they meet the right family.
A meaningful May half-term activity for families
Whether your little one is animal-obsessed or just loves to colour in, Paws to Draw offers a meaningful, screen-free activity during the upcoming school break. It's also a gentle way to start conversations about pet welfare and responsibility – something Blue Cross has been championing for over two decades through their educational outreach.
We hope people of all ages and abilities take part and we look forward to seeing some wonderful drawings of some of the pets we have helped.
The competition is open from 1 May and runs until 30 May, with winners announced on 4 July.
How to enter
To find out more about the rescue stories and enter your drawing, head over to bluecross.org.uk/paws-to-draw. Whether you’re wielding crayons, watercolours or digital pens, every entry helps shine a light on the incredible journeys of rescue pets – and might just win a spot in the national spotlight.
Pics: Blue Cross