State unveils cat-theme license plate

Georgia’s newest specialty license plate, unveiled Thursday, is aimed at cat lovers.

The “Feline Friend” plate features a painting of a cat named Hope, a fetching black-and-white with big yellow eyes who was adopted from a shelter. A portion of revenue from the $25 tag fee goes to the Dog and Cat Sterilization Program, which subsidizes spay/neuter procedures by Georgia vets.

State of Georgia

Georgia’s new feline-theme license plate

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Randalyn Bieniek

Hope, a former shelter cat, served as the model for Duluth artist Randalyn “Randy” Bieniek, who painted the portrait that graces new Georgia license plates.

Josie Wind of Snellville, Hope’s owner, said she adopted the cat from a Suwanee shelter after seeing the Hope’s picture in a newspaper.

“I fell in love with her face and said, ‘I’ve got to have this kitty,’” she said.

The new plate joins the state’s list of plates that, for a fee, enable motorists to support various causes or show their support of colleges and other institutions.

The cat tag is to be available March 1 at tag offices. More than $22 of the fee will go to Georgia’s dog and cat sterilization program.

The state already has spay/neuter plates featuring a dog named Buddy and a drawing of a dog and cat.

Since 2003, nearly $2.9 million has been raised through the sale of the animal tags and through a state income tax check-off program, the Agriculture Department said.

The image on the new cat tag is by Duluth artist Randalyn “Randy” Bieniek, who painted four cats at the Suwanee shelter and submitted them in a contest. Hope was one of six finalists.

Following 18 days of voting and more than 12,000 votes, Hope’s painting “was the overwhelming choice,” state Agriculture Department officials said in September, when the winner was announced.

• Blog: Will you buy the new plate?

• Gallery: The finalists and other Georgia license plates

• Read more about Hope the cat

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