Suwanee cat chosen for Ga. car tag

Randalyn “Randy” Bieniek won — and so did the cats at the Georgia SPCA shelter in Suwanee.

Bieniek painted four cats at the shelter and entered them in a contest to select a cat painting for Georgia’s new pet friendly tag.

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Randalyn Bieniek

Hope was chosen for the state’s new cat license plate.

Photos:Car tag

Hope, a black and white cat, was chosen as one of the six finalists.

Following 18 days of voting and more than 12,000 votes, Hope’s painting “was the overwhelming choice,” said state Department of Agriculture spokesman Arty Schronce.

She was also the overwhelming choice at her shelter. Founder Joan Sammond said following the publicity a number of people applied to adopt Hope, and they will select her new home shortly. Other shelter cats are already in new homes thanks to the painting.

“It brought people in to look at our other adult cats, so other cats got adopted, too” Sammond said. “We were thrilled.”

Bieniek, of Duluth, snagged a $2,500 prize and plans to donate $500 to the shelter. The tag with Hope’s picture will be available in December for a one-time fee of $25 in addition to regular tag costs.

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