The BC SPCA is looking for the next Pablo Petcasso!

Now till midnight July 23, kids up to 13 years of age are invited to submit their original artwork in the 2010 Scotiabank & BC SPCA Paws for a Cause Kid's T-shirt Contest.

The winning artwork will be featured on the front of more than 5,000 Paws for a Cause youth T-shirts.

"Youth from all across the province will be wearing these T-shirts," says Denise Meade, the BC SPCA's director, development. "Alone, that's pretty special, but the winning young artist of this contest will also be helping homeless and abandoned animals."

Contestants are invited to submit their original artwork online, then customize a fundraising page with details about why their artwork should win. The artist will then be guided through a step-by-step process emailing friends and family members and asking them to make a donation to the BC SPCA. The artist who collects the most online donations wins.

This contest is open to all youth in B.C. up to 13 years of age; each entry that raises a minimum of $15 also qualifies for a free one-year Kids Club membership.

In addition to the grand prize, honourable mentions will be given to four other outstanding artists, who will receive a goodie bag with a selection of official BC SPCA gear.

Full rules and regulations are posted on the contest page.

Paws for a Cause will be held in September in 36 communities across the province and is generously sponsored provincially by Scotiabank, Global BC, Bosley's Pet Food Plus, TV Week Magazine, Seeya Later Ranch, WestJet and Coast Hotels & Resorts. Visit spca.bc.ca/walk for more information. 

For more information please contact Denise Meade, director of development for the BC SPCA at 604-709-4677.

The BC SPCA is a non-profit organization funded primarily by public donations. Our mission is to prevent cruelty and to promote the welfare of animals through a wide range of services, including cruelty investigations, emergency rescue and treatment, sheltering and adoption of homeless and abused animals, humane education, advocacy, farm animal welfare, spay/neuter programs, and wildlife rescue and rehabilitation.