What do a cool cat artist, a wild spinner, an ACEO painter and a queen of all things green have in common? They are all sellers who share a common mission: to give something back to animals through the Etsy for Animals Team (EFA).
EFA team members are spread around the world, and some of the team’s sellers are as exotic as the animals they love. Here’s a snapshot. Seller thefrogbag in California says, “I’m a long time crafter with a zoology degree — hence the high percentage of animals in my work! By day I work as a zoo keeper at the Playboy Mansion. I also do some writing, both fiction and non-fiction…” She loves the wonderfully strange tapirs, and donates a percentage of sales to the Tapir Preservation Fund.
ArtbySusmitha, an artist and vegan living in India, supports the Vishakha SPCA cow sanctuary, saying “…We’re all children of the same Mother Nature and they need love and respect, just like us.” Jeanne of MellyrnShireShop who lives “in a small apartment near Milan, Italy, with a guy, 4 cats, 2 rabbits and 6 guinea pigs,” supports Vancouver Rabbit Rescue and Advocacy. All of Jeanne’s animals are free to roam inside her home!
[Guinea Pig ACEO - SavageArtWorks]
[Spring chicks by VioletsNewVintage]
Not only do EFA team members have some great stores, several EFA members also run animal rescues. Amanda of Abandoned Wild Babies Animal Rescue is a wildlife rehabilitator, and Lynn of ArfArfMeowMeow helps with Priest River Animal Rescue in Idaho.
They, and many other EFA members, donate a percentage of their profits to animal charities, either one that is close to their heart, or to the EFA Charity of the Month, announced on www.etsyforanimals.com. Together these little raindrops of cash make a shower of help, with past beneficiaries receiving considerable sums. One of the biggest fundraisers for our Charity of the Month is the official EFA shop, where kind-hearted Etsy sellers donate items, with 100% of the proceeds going to animals. EFA’s team leader, Michele of MVegan5, says that “the EFA shop welcomes donations of handmade items, vintage and supplies from any seller on Etsy who wants to help us raise funds.” (More info here!)
[Country Poodles Cards - HaleysHandmades]
The EFA community has a Flickr Group and a lively blog that hosts the monthly challenges, and the website run by HaleysHandmades. Checking out the challenge entries is a great way to see a showcase of EFA members’ work and, like all the organizational work at EFA, it’s run by a team of volunteers. EFA members’ work — and pets — can also be seen on a YouTube video made by Diane of Woodnvisions.
[Original Painting ACEO - sharonfosterarts]
New sellers will get a warm welcome to EFA and, no, it’s not essential that you donate profits to charity. EFA welcomes all sellers who care for animals. Michele says, “I love that Etsy for Animals brings together artists from all over the world, helping animals, together.” Ensorcelledminds sums up the EFA ethos as such:
“Because they NEED us
To help when we can
To give what we can
And to understand”
Further Resources:
Etsyforanimals.com
Etsyforanimals.blogspot.com
flickr.com/groups/efa
AWBAR.com
Tapirback.com
Visakha Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Vrra.org
32 comments
Sign in to add your ownwalkonthemoon says:
Yay! EFA! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11156501
4 years ago
mishkat says:
Wonderful article! Thanks for featuring Etsy for Animals!
4 years ago
WHSKR says:
Gosh don't we look GOOD!!!!!!!!! EFA rocks!!!!
4 years ago
bigcatpawprints says:
Whenever animals and humans have conflict, humans are ALWAYS the victor and often the animals suffer and die. Someone must speak for the animals who are voiceless .... EFA......is doing this......awesome talent for our furry friends.
4 years ago
RainbowMom says:
Etsy for Animals is wonderful! Where would we be.. what would be without the animals? :) Great job EFA!
4 years ago
theknottysheep says:
EFA is committed to bringing happiness & relief to animals, rescues/shelters/sanctuaries & other organizations across the globe! EFA helps those without a voice!! Shop EFA!
4 years ago
aktie9 says:
This is wonderful article. Good to spread the word! GO EFA! :)
4 years ago
aimeedars says:
I love being a part of EFA and knowing that my etsy store helps animals. This article is great for spreading awareness. Also, with so many members, it's fun to learn more about other EFA teammates!
4 years ago
midnightrabbits says:
Fabulous article, great to read. I am a member of EFA and it's a fab team to be part of, with such lovely, welcoming members, all having compassion towards animals - great company to be in!
4 years ago
SavageArtworks says:
Yay for EFA!!! We rocks, because animals rock!
4 years ago
jenrosesegrest says:
Awesome article whiskr, I am so proud to be part of this team. Go Team Efa!!! xoxo, jen
4 years ago
mvegan5 says:
This is so wonderful... so happy to be the EFA founder and leader, we now have over 460 members helping animals, and our shop is full of great items helping animals, come on in! http://etsyforanimals.etsy.com
4 years ago
LolaLynn says:
I'm a member of EFA and an even prouder member after reading this wonderful article. Go Team EFA!
4 years ago
VioletsNewVintage says:
So surprised to see my photos, thanks Michelle. EFA does wonderful work!
4 years ago
UberDuperCreations says:
Proud to be EFA! Proud to help animals in need! Thanks for the great article!
4 years ago
nanjodogz says:
Wonderful EFA article! So proud to be part of such a great group helping the animals!
4 years ago
Dogonwear says:
Fabulous Article - it is so great to be a part of this team!
4 years ago
lvsbeadsnthings says:
I am proud to be a member of EFA. What could be more rewarding that being teamed up with other artists all working towards one common goal.... helping the animals who can't help themselves. This is a wonderful article and helps spread the word. Yay for EFA.... go TEAM!
4 years ago
wyspurcreations says:
AWESOME group, glad I am a part of Team EFA. Congradulations everybody
4 years ago
SharonFosterArt says:
Thanks for this article. EFA is the best Team and it helps animals around the world!
4 years ago
KaysK9s says:
Great article, I'm happy to be part of a team that does so much good! EFA is great =)
4 years ago
ArfArfMeowMeow says:
Thanks for adding us to your article. We continue to reach out to animals in need and to teach the public about the benefits of spay and neutering your pets! You have high-lighted the Pop Cat. I can create a Pop Cat or Pop Dog just for you if you email me a photo. Select a main color choice and I am off and running. arf arf meow meow. Belly rubs to all. We are grateful that such a team exhits. This is a great storque. Lynn
4 years ago
JaneDiamond says:
Amazing article WHSKR! Thank you for sharing more info about Etsy For Animals, and what all the members of EFA do to help our animal friends around the world! Purrrfect article with adorble photos to accompany it, and thank you for also adding me to your article. EFA is a team I am very proud to be a member of, and it's such a warm and rewarding feeling knowing we are helping these precious animals in need through our arts and crafts! Great job you did on this article, I enjoyed reading it and also learning more about my fellow EFA friends too. Such a diverse group of members, yet all talented and wonderful, sharing in a common goal through our art and love for the animals! - Jane
4 years ago
artbysusmitha says:
Yay EFA!! Lovely article Marje! :) Thanks for including me. I am very proud to be a member of such a talented and compassionate group or artists from all over the world!! And I am extra proud to be an EFA store admin. It's good to know that every little bit of time and effort spent counts!! Thank you all you wonderful members for making this a successful group!! :) love and light, Susmitha :)
4 years ago
casbeads says:
Great article! GO EFA! :)
4 years ago
Luminosities says:
I love this article! We have such wonderful people on Etsy for Animals! Go, EFA!!
4 years ago
CanadianRockies says:
Wonderful article and what a great group of super talented Etsians!
4 years ago
ElephantDance says:
Great article. I love how much efaers help each other and the animals they love.
4 years ago
greenglasscafe says:
This is THE BEST! I love it. They do need us. We should help. And some of us do! :)
3 years ago
claynfiber says:
Another great EFA article! YES for the animals!
3 years ago
UniqueGarden says:
Wonderfully done! EFA all the way!
3 years ago