Sharing a common interest in animal welfare and art, the Public Animal Welfare Society of Ohio (PAWS) and two students of The Cleveland Institute of Art, Melinda Laszczynski and JenMarie Zeleznak, have combined their passions into an event to raise awareness and funding for PAWS on Saturday, June 27 from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Museum of Contemporary Art, 8501 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland. 

This first time event, Art Helping Animals, will feature an auction of work donated by students and faculty of The Cleveland Institute of Art and other prominent local artists. Auctioneer services are being provided by Neal Grossman of Grossman, Inc. Noted artists include Derek Hess, Amy Casey, Thomas Frontini, Eric Neff, Randall Tiedeman and Dana Depew. Live music will be played by Drew Robertson and Ben Malkevitch, students of The Cleveland Institute of Music.  There will also be a silent auction, food and a donation bar. 

Tickets for the event are available on the PAWS website, www.pawsohio.org. Parking is free. All proceeds from the evening’s event will support PAWS.

Founded in 1976, the Public Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization considered to be one of Ohio’s most reputable long-standing cat and dog humane rescue groups. PAWS philosophy is that kindness to animals helps build a better world for all of us.  Through the generosity of other caring individuals, we can ensure that animals who come into the care of PAWS will never again be alone, hungry, sick, afraid, or in pain.

Jill Connor is a Cleveland-native who became a PAWS volunteer in early 2007 after adopting two cats from the organization. She volunteers with the PAW's helpline and is an adoption screener, cat foster and pr novice.