The mission of the Paws for Love Foundation is to provide resources and funding to shelters, rescue groups, and individuals dedicated to improving the health, welfare, and adoptability of unwanted and abused animals. The Paws for Love Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable nonprofit organization, and all donations to our organization are tax-deductible.

The Paws for Love Foundation is a unique organization; not one person, not one animal...but many people who have passed our way in many capacities as donors, volunteers, event attendees, and even celebrities who have donated something special for our auction. The passion for helping animals in need is the thread which unites us all.

Paws for Love is also made up of many animals who have trusted me, a stranger, to enter their lives briefly bearing paints, a canvas, and a promise of hope.

I began painting with shelter animals many years ago. The notion that I might frame those paintings and sell them in a gallery setting came a few years later. It was easy to coax them to paint...but not so easy to walk away. These trusting and gentle souls who have been discarded for reasons they will never understand (and many times, nor do I) draw me back time and time again. I reach out to them with a little paint and a promise that Paws for Love will try to help every single animal that we possibly can. We vow that their paintings will be seen and their stories will be told. A homeless animal whose painting and biography is on display in our yearly Paws for Love benefit and gala may touch the heart of just the right person, and the sale of their painting will bring in much needed funds to save lives.

In return, each one of these unwanted pets reaches out to us with a lesson in the meaning of love. In the face of hopelessness, loneliness and pain, their connection with humans remains both mystical and brave.

They give us a sense of hope when we fear there may be none; they offer a love that is pure and stirs our hearts in a way no other creature can. They guide us to a level of courage and dignity. They teach us about survival and strength of spirit. When you witness an injured dog or cat struggle to live, to walk, to find a special person to love - in spite of their pain - you feel there is nothing you cannot accomplish. To honor these brave animals, we become better people when we open our hearts and our homes to these beautiful and forgotten souls.

What we are able to offer these animals in return is simple and basic; almost effortless. We open our hearts to them and allow them to walk beside us; to share and enrich our lives. When we feel defeated, they offer a warm head on our lap and salve our wounds in so many ways. Who can turn away from a happy wag that says "I am here...you are not alone...I love you, no matter what!"

Paws for Love is presented by the Paws for Love Foundation. Proceeds from this gala event greatly benefit the animals of Sonoma County, the North Bay, and beyond. The Paws for Love Foundation provides resources and funding to shelters, rescue groups, and individuals dedicated to improving the health, welfare, and adoptability of unwanted and abused animals. Funds raised by this event are also used to rehabilitate adoptable animals by providing necessary medical treatment, food and training for animals in foster care programs.

We are now in the process of gearing up for our FEBRUARY 11, 2012 Paws for Love benefit. For more information about donating items or services to our PAWS FOR LOVE auction, please email either Ellyn Boone (phone 209-795-4575) or Cindy Goede (phone 707-544-3974). If you or your company donate $250 or more to this event, you will receive two free tickets to our next PAWS FOR LOVE Gala. You will also receive the Paws for Love Newsletter. Please note that your donations must be received before the cutoff date of December 31, 2011 in order to receive your free tickets.

Open your heart and home to adoptable animals waiting for you!