By Krista G.

Friday was PAWS' (Pets Are Wonderful Support) annual Petchitecture fundraiser event - perhaps the only black tie event in the city where volunteer help is enlisted to 'poop scoop'.

Held at the Westin St. Francis, guests bid in silent and live auctions for a variety of human and pet related items to raise money for PAWS' services. The featured items are the Animal Habitats donated by local architects.

Seventeen habitats were constructed from recycled and sustainable materials for this year's theme, "Petchitecture Goes Green." Designs ranged from"CAT-TANK-ER-OUS," a cat house with a built in aquarium, crafted by Levy Art & Architecture to "Teagan's Terranium" a sustainable turtle hut designed by Gensler

All of this good natured bidding helps many low income people with illness keep their pets. PAWS and its squad of volunteers walk their clients' dogs, provide pet food and veterinary care, and foster pets when their owners cannot care for them. On the surface, it sounds simple but when you realize it takes a team of 12 to provide dog walking services twice a day, seven days a week - you begin to gain an appreciation for the great work PAWS does.

In addition to money, PAWS and organizations like it need our time. Next week is National Volunteer Week. So get out there and volunteer, people! This and many more unusual opportunities can be found online at The Volunteer Center.