Artist raising money for injured abandoned animals.
Here’s your chance to help seriously ill or injured homeless animals and pick up a lovely original piece of artwork at the same time.
Miami artist Darek Pala is auctioning ten of his paintings, with 50 percent of the proceeds going to start Karmela’s Fund. The fund will finance surgeries and medical treatments for seriously ill pets in the custody of four Miami-area rescue groups: Buddies Thru Bullies, Humane Society of Greater Miami, Miami-Dade Animal Services, and Paws 4 You Rescue.
The care will be provided by Miami Veterinary Specialists, a regional critical care and emergency center that treats animal patients needing advanced surgeries or procedures.
The fund is named for Pala’s dog, Karmela, who has three legs. Pala adopted Karmela from a Miami animal shelter where she had been surrendered by her owners, who were unable to pay for Karmela’s treatments.
According to the center, thousands of dogs and cats, like Karmela, are taken to animal shelters because they have conditions their owners can’t afford to treat or don’t want to bother dealing with. People often shy away from adopting such animals, so the majority are euthanized.
“We have close relationships with the shelters and rescue groups in Miami, and they are short on funds as well,” said Dr. Juan Sardinas, a surgeron at Miami Veterinary Specialists. “We see broken legs, tumors. Maybe Karmela could have kept her leg if her owners had gotten her treatment earlier.”
Bidding for the paintings, which all feature dogs, starts at $1,000 a piece. The auction continues today and through tomorrow, Friday, Aug. 15.
You can see the paintings in person at Miami Veterinary Specialists, 8601 Sunset Drive, Miami, during business hours. You also can view them online by clicking here.
To place a bid, call Robbie at 305-665-2820. You also can make a donation to Karmela’s Fund at that number.
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
