Shelter Me: Artist creates sculptures to help grieving pet owners

FRANKLINVILLE, N.J. (WPVI) -- Artist Charles Kerns has been sculpting since 1991.

"I started sculpting tabletop fountains, and about three years later I decided to take it to the next step and I started sculpting faces and animals," he said.

Two years ago, inspired by his rescue cats Fenn, Schway, Odie, and Twee, he decided to sculpt something that would benefit animals and local rescues.

"We started seeing how there was a need for money, there was a need for medicine, everything," Charles said.

And Everlasting Hug was born.

"I had my very first hug - what it is, is it's a human being hugged by a dog, and then I made the human hug by a cat and it was showing the everlasting love of the pet has for a human," said Charles.

Charles donates 100 percent of the proceeds from Everlasting Hug to local animal rescues. He's given $2,000 so far this year.

"No matter what they benefit pets," says Charles.

And the keepsake helps many pet owners cope with the loss of a pet.

"Always remind you how much the pet loved you, because of what you gave it," he said.

The hugs have chambers in the bottom to place mementos from your pet, and every hug is unique.

Charles has expanded the Everlasting Hug line to include candles, urns, pet fountains, and rainbow bridge fountains.

"As pets pass away and people in need are buying the products, which help out the pets that are still here, so it just keeps going around in a nice full circle," says Charles.

If you're interested in the sculptures, you can visit the Everlasting Hug website.

And, if you'd like us to share your shelter success stories, post a picture to the FYI Philly Facebook page using the hashtag 6abc shelter me and tell us where you adopted your pet and how much they mean to you.

We'll be featuring your stories on upcoming Shelter Me segments.

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