AWS Atlanta, Georgia’s oldest no-kill animal shelter, is hosting their thirteenth annual Party for the PAWS fundraiser on Friday, September 26 at The Stave Room in West Midtown. This event will include casino games, silent and live auctions, catering, and cocktails. Attendees can also enjoy meeting adoptable dogs and puppies who will join in the fun and strut their four legs on a doggy runway. All funds raised at this event will go directly to help the nearly 180 animals currently in PAWS Atlanta’s care.

Due to a recent rise in costs, including increased prices for pet supplies, food, and vet care, many more families are making the difficult decision of giving up their pets because of financial constraints. PAWS Atlanta, along with shelters across the country, are shouldering this burden while also dealing with rising costs themselves. Over the past few years, PAWS Atlanta has seen a noticeable rise in the number of animals abandoned at their gate, with 107 animals left behind in 2023 and 119 in 2024.

With the rising costs of care and the growing number of homeless animals, fundraisers like Party for the PAWS play a vital role in supporting PAWS Atlanta’s mission. Proceeds from this year’s event will provide essential resources, such as surgeries, nutritious food, and daily necessities, for the dogs and cats in the shelter and foster homes. In 2024, PAWS Atlanta raised more than $270,000, funding critical programs and the renovation of a dog kennel room. In 2025, the organization has set its sights on raising even more to expand its life-saving services and help even more animals in need.

"The need has never been greater, and Party for the PAWS gives us the chance to meet it head-on," said Crystal Bowman, Executive Director of PAWS Atlanta. "Our goal of raising $300,000 in 2025 isn’t just a number; it represents more lives saved. With the community’s support, we can ensure that every cat and dog in our care has the chance for a brighter future."

To attend this fundraiser, you can purchase tickets on PAWS Atlanta’s website (www.pawsatlanta.org). This fun-filled evening is sponsored by the Lazagna Moultrie Giving Fund, Kathy and Daisy Scott, Jonathan Kilgore, MedVet, Pam Marcus, Fran Altemose, and others.