NEOPIAN POUND - I paint pets and then put them back into the pound. You must
be shocked to hear that. Why bother painting them and putting them back into
the pound if you are saving up for a paint brush for my own pet? I have a goal:
to paint all of the Kougras and Scorchios in the pound for them to find a loving
owner.
Usually painted pets are taken in seconds, even if they have a "creative"
name such as fartjr111. With every visit to the pound, I see pets with not-so-nice
names. I know that if I gave them a chance and painted them, someone would love
to have such a pet.
Since I am currently busy with my main pet, umi_no_sapphire's training with
the lab ray (you can expect an article on that later), I decided to make a new
account, just for painting pets, to experiment.
I created the account serenecloudz and then headed for the pound, not bothering
to make a new pet. I was going to take one in anyway. I decided to start with
one, because I couldn't possibly support four. I took the first Kougra I saw,
a green one named evergreen932512. (You can do specific species, more on that
later) She was dying of hunger when I checked her status so we headed for the
soup kitchen for a free meal.
Taking care of evergreen was a satisfying experience, and I am still keeping
her now. Now that the story's over... let's go into detail about Painting Pound
Pets!
Starting Out
You should probably make a new account for this, unless you have space on
your main account. Please note that there are rules to follow for secondary
accounts! Just so that you don't have to have random pick, I advise to choose
a species that you like, and that is easily found in the pound (I've rarely
seen a Shoyru). Chias, Quiggles, Bruces, and especially Grundos and Grarrls
are needed!
I would advise you to jump-start your account with some NP before you try anything.
Play some of the games or something, and getting ready a paint brush is fine
too. After that, head for the pound.
After refreshing a few times, you see the species you want. Adopt it if you
like but don't choose species that are already painted, or species with a great
name like... faerieprincess or something... they will probably be adopted soon.
We are looking for Neopets that will probably not be adopted...
Adopted
OK, so you have adopted that perfect pet :) You can read to it, groom it,
feed it if it is hungry (most probably if they are stuck in the pound for a
long long time...), and paint it if you are ready. Train it or take it to Coltzan's
Shrine or the Lab Ray... Just simply make it an above average pet. Especially
with Christmas coming on, you can buy a relatively cheap Christmas Paint Brush
this coming December to paint it with!
Meanwhile as you earn more NP to afford that Paint brush, you can join a guild
with just a subject like this, to have more fun and link with other people with
the same goal.
Painted
Now that your spectacular pet is painted, it is finally time to let it go.
Perhaps it took you a long time to get it to this form, and I completely understand
if you want to keep your pet. Maybe you should, if you feel a great bonding
between you, but the point of this hobby/dedication is to let them go. As you
click the last time and watch them go, you can track their progress through
the search engine, and maybe contact their new owners and tell them about your
mission.
But wait!!! Don't go yet! :) There is more! I have just gotten in contact with
a guild owner whose guild has this specific purpose! You may know her on the
messageboards, but I will not reveal her username, due to privacy. I have interviewed
her on how she takes it, what she does, and how she might help you with her
perspective! Here is the live chat done at the 8th day of Storing, Y4 3:33:46
am NST.
lavenderamethyst: Hi Dedicate Grace*, I want to interview you
for The Neopian Times.
Dedicate Grace: M'kay. Let's do this.
lavenderamethyst: What made you start painting pets and putting them
back into the pound? Was it a person on Neopets or did you cleverly think it
up yourself?
Dedicate Grace: I had been painting pets on my own before doing so with
the guild. I adopted two pets from the pound when I first joined (since have
gone to new homes) and I wanted to 1. Help more pets get adopted and 2. Help
more players get painted pets.
lavenderamethyst: What are some tips that you would give for a relatively
new person that still wants to help? Is it the quality that's best or is it
the thought that counts?
Dedicate Grace: Thought that counts... if you save even one you've made
a difference. The most cost effective way is to get hold of the lab ray map
pieces.
lavenderamethyst: Do you save specific species or just ones that you
see, ones with bad names, etc.
Dedicate Grace: I try and get most common species - if it's a limited
edition it will get adopted soon anyway.
lavenderamethyst: What are some tips that you can give to players that
want to make this a hobby?
Dedicate Grace: Get the Lab Ray map pieces, find a someone/guild to
paint with - support is nice - make sure you always have one space available
on your account.
lavenderamethyst: Anything else that you would like to share?
Dedicate Grace: Um, if you put your name in the pet's description the
new owner will often mail and thank you... lol :)
lavenderamethyst: LOL... thanks for your time
(*Names have been changed to protect privacy)
I hope you have a fun time on your mission to change and paint Neopia, because
I know that I have had a really fun time writing this, and also adopting these
pets! If you have any questions, feel free to Neomail
me! | 
