One of My Favorite Spring Things: Working with the Chronicle for this Report on PAWS Benefit

PAWS: Pets ARE Wonderful Support

PAWS threw their annual fundraiser, Petchitecture 15, in May at the Palace Hotel, raising almost $250,000. Steven Winn, former San Francisco Chronicle Arts and Culture Critic, turned in this full-page report that perfectly mirrors the benefit's theme, "A Palace, A Pup and A Party," in service to the serious side of the fun:

PAWS steps in and provides support ... pet food, veterinary care and volunteers ... so that people never have to give up the unconditional love of their pets.

"We know that pets heal. We all aspire to the day when no one has to choose between feeding their pets and feeding themselves." John Lipp, PAWS president, from In the doghouse for a good cause.

To read the complete June 22 OUT & ABOUT cover story by Steven Winn, and for a closer look at Chronicle photographer Michael Macor's witty, touching pictures, click here.

Over the past two years of this Great Recession, the PAWS client base has grown by more than 30 percent. Founded in 1987, PAWS today provides comprehensive support services so that ~800 people (low income clients living with HIV/AIDS and other disabling illnesses, and seniors) can maintain the love and companionship of their +1,000 pets. In addition, PAWS reaches thousands more with their education programs and advocacy.

To contact PAWS and see how you can give and/or get help, go to www.PAWSsf.org.