CINCINNATI, OH.- Artists rarely get to feel like what they do changes lives, but right now, 24 professional artists from across the country are feeling that way—and just in time for holiday giving. They are part of a fund-raising effort for the “Foreclosure Cats,” the cats and kittens—more than 60 of them—who received national attention when their Cincinnati owner abandoned them after losing his home in a foreclosure. Most of the cats were sick and starving when found.

Original portraits of each of the cats have been pouring in from award-winning artists including animators, children’s book illustrators, greeting card artists and painters.

Now their work is available on www.ForeclosureCats.org , not only as prints, but on mugs, totes, pillows and notes, in time for holiday gift-shopping.

“Everyone claims to have something unique,” says Robin Moro, a Cincinnati artist and coordinator of the project, “but there is only one ‘foreclosure cat project’ and one place to shop for original art and gifts to help with this huge rescue effort.”

The artists in the Foreclosure Cats Art Project used fabric, mosaics, chalk, acrylics, oils and digital art to capture the unique personality of each cat. “We wanted people to get to know each wonderful individual cat with his or her own special story through this work,” says Moro.

So Frankie, who loves to jump and lunge at his furry toy mousies, can be seen pouncing in from the side of a mug or pillow. Despite having only one good eye, kitten Tortellini’s indomitable spirit comes through in a happy wink, on her mugs, totes, pillows and notes. In a hand-crafted mosaic, Rafters Ricky, who watched the months-long rescue from a lordly position in the rafters before finally agreeing to be rescued himself, receives a royal crown.

The project plans to raise funds through an exhibit and auction of the works later this year, and sale of the merchandise featuring the artwork. The proceeds will help to offset the huge vet bills, many still being incurred, in the rescue, rehabilitation, boarding and fostering of the foreclosure cats. The artists also hope to raise awareness of the project so that more of the cats can find loving permanent homes.

To view the art, get exhibit and auction information, purchase merchandise, adopt, foster, donate, or just read about the foreclosure cats, visit www.foreclosurecats.org .