Art with a Purpose
Painting Pugcassos is rooted in joy, creativity, and time spent with the dogs—but also in a deep commitment to their future. Every piece is created with love… and shared with purpose.

The Heart Behind the Work
Since the time of Confucius, the pug has thrived as a beloved companion, and Painting Pugcassos works to safeguard its future through genetic health testing, humane research, and compassionate support that helps keep pets in their homes—addressing need before rescue is ever required. 

Advancing Genetic Health
A portion of proceeds also supports genetic testing through the UC Davis Veterinary Genetics Laboratory, one of the world’s leading institutions in animal DNA research.

Testing for conditions such as Pug Dog Encephalitis (PDE) and Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (PKDef) helps breeders make informed, responsible decisions that improve the long-term health and genetic diversity of the breed.

By supporting this work, each piece contributes to a future where pugs can live longer, healthier lives.

Sugarbelle Foundation
Keeping Pets & People Together. Not all support begins in rescue—sometimes the greatest impact comes before a pet ever has to be surrendered.

Through the Sugarbelle Foundation, a portion of proceeds helps families facing financial hardship afford food and veterinary care for their pets. By supporting owners during difficult times, this work prevents unnecessary surrender, reduces strain on shelters, and allows beloved dogs to remain where they belong—at home, with the people who love them.
This preventative approach means fewer animals entering rescue, less trauma for both pets and families, and a more compassionate, sustainable model of care.

Preserving Knowledge (OFA & CHIC)
Health testing is only as valuable as the ability to preserve and share it. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals maintains databases that allow breeders and researchers to track genetic health across generations.

Many dogs have undergone extensive testing—hips, patellas, eyes, cardiac, spine, and more—but submitting and maintaining these records requires ongoing funding. By supporting OFA submissions and CHIC certification, this work ensures that vital health information is not lost over time, but instead contributes to the collective knowledge that guides better breeding decisions for the future of the breed.

Supporting Ongoing Breed Health Research
Guided by recommendations from the Pug Dog Club of America, this mission also supports ongoing efforts to better understand and reduce inherited health conditions in pugs.
From PDE research to broader studies in genetics and structure, these initiatives help move the breed forward—combining tradition, science, and care to improve quality of life for generations to come.

Where It Begins
Before research, before databases, before funding—there is the daily commitment to responsible care. A portion of proceeds also helps offset the cost of essential health testing already performed: diagnostics, screenings, and veterinary evaluations that form the foundation of ethical breeding and lifelong well-being.