Josh Joiner came to PAWS/LA as a volunteer to fulfill a Court Ordered Community Service commitment. As a non-profit organization, PAWS/LA is approved by the City of Los Angeles to certify that Court Ordered Community Service hours have been fulfilled. Josh’s commitment has long been over, but his involvement with PAWS/LA has only gotten stronger. Instead of disappearing once his 100 hours of Community Service was done, Josh became more and more involved. To him, PAWS/LA is a group that is a rare treat to both the volunteers and the clients PAWS/LA serves. He likes being able to give back to the community and knows how precious companion animals are to their owners. Working with the staff of PAWS/LA is an all-around positive experience for Josh. “The staff is wonderful,” he says, “ it makes me happy just to show up.”

Josh does everything; wherever he is needed, that’s where he goes – be it working the Food Bank, delivering food in out-of-the-way places, manning the front desk or attending Outreach Events, Josh is eager and willing to donate his time and talent.

Josh heard about PAWS/LA from a friend who was familiar with the organization and believed it was one of the best groups in the city. When he learned that not only could he help people keep their animals, but also could complete his community hours, he was delighted. To Josh, working with people who are dedicated to keeping companion animals with their humans is an important relationship. A relationship that can make the difference between feeling connected to something, or feeling lonely and alone. Josh has always had animals. His cat, Cuddles, and his dog, Bandit, are an integral part of his family and he couldn’t imagine life without them.

Josh is in his fourth year at USC, with a major in Interactive Media. He will graduate in January and plans to enter the professional world of creating video games.

For more information about Volunteering, contact Raymundo Baltazar. 213.741.1950 x 116

Walking the Red Carpet

To Benefit PAWS/LA

Hollywood Hounds and their owners walked the red carpet, posed for the Puparazzi and raised money for PAWS/LA. It was a splashy beginning to the newest location in the Pooch Hotel chain. From the canine lap pool to the elegant Palace Suite, from energy-packed daycare to the SPAW offerings, Pooch Hotel Hollywood put its best paw forward to greet Tinseltown. And $3,000 was donated to PAWS/LA from the black-tie event.

Big thanks to Pooch Hotel CEO, Robin Tomb, for selecting PAWS/LA as the evening’s beneficiary. A paw’fectly good time was had by all.

photos courtesy of AB Images

Pooch Hotel

950 N. Highland

Los Angeles, CA

323.465.5810

Pet’s Name

La Salle

Guardian

Jesus Reyes

Hometown

Culver City, California

Age

4 years

Breed

Terrier

Favorite Toys

Anything that squeaks.

Favorite Playtime

Taking long walks.

Why your pet is so special to you

He helped me as I healed from lung cancer.

AT&T Store Grand Opening

Benefits PAWS/LA

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, AT&T, a company that loves dogs, marked the Grand Opening of their new West Hollywood store located at 1112 North La Brea Avenue, by throwing a Pooch Parade to benefit PAWS/LA.  The event was coordinated by Georgia Taylor, AT&T Director News Relations and Karen Diehl, Casey & Sayre P.R.

AT&T California President, Ken McNeely and City of West Hollywood Mayor John Duran were on hand to present a check for $10,000 to PAWS/LA staff member, Steve Wayland. Additionally, AT&T will donate $5 to PAWS/LA with purchase of any 4G LTE smartphone.*

The best dressed pooches on parade, judged by actors from Days of our Lives Freddie Smith (aka: Sonny Kiriakis, Days’ first gay character) and Kate Mansi (Abby Deveraux on Days), received HTC Jetstream Tablets courtesy of AT&T. In addition, all entrants received gift bags including AT&T logo doggie and human t-shirts.

Peet’s Holiday Donation Program

Benefits PAWS/LA

On December 11, 2011, Peet’s Coffee & Tea in Larchmont opened their doors to PAWS/LA as part of the company’s Annual Holiday Donation’s Program. Established in 1985 by Peet’s employees, this annual tradition invites Peet’s customers to help celebrate the holidays and support non-profit organizations in local communities where stores are based. During the program period, store employees accepted contributions for their chosen organization. Additionally, Peet’s matched the donations that each store received (up to $1,000.00 per store).

We at PAWS/LA would like to thank Peet’s Larchmont Manager, Emily Huffman for selecting our agency as beneficiary and for coordinating the donations. In addition, we would like to thank PAWS/LA volunteers, Alycia DeZanet and Josh Joiner for being on hand to distribute agency information.

Peet’s Coffee and Tea – Larchmont

124 N. Larchmont Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

323/978-1003