![]() Home | Quick Index
| ||
| Designer Dog and Cat Houses Raise Money for Los Angeles AIDS Charity Interior designers, architects, movie set decorators, and artists labored through a long and hard--as well as costly--project to design the most creative and most unique dog and cat houses in order to raise money for PAWS-L.A., a charitable group that helps care for the pets of AIDS patients. Belgian actress Nadia Sutton, who went to California in the early 1980's to continue her successful acting career, started the organization in 1989. Devastated by the AIDS epidemic, Nadia was motivated to do something when the family of one of her dearest friends gave away his pets while he was in the hospital because no one could care for them. Nearly ten years later, PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) offers help free of charge to over 1,100 clients and their 1,700 pets. House designers made each dog and cat house distinctive and beautiful, full of imagination and various themes. Over 46 entries were on display at Los Angeles Pacific Design center. Some themes included a western saloon, a lighthouse, a giant pair of sunglasses, a spaceship-like dome equipped with a television and a fan as well as a motorized door, a military bunker, a log cabin, and even a replica of Dorothy's home from The Wizard of Oz. The houses are more likely to be used as a decoration than an actual abode for pets. |
One entry was designed as a replica of the Beverly Hills home of Academy Award nominated Songwriter Carol Connors. "The Hotel Catifornia" featured a piano full of miniature picture frames that held such things as a reduced copy of her Emmy nomination! On the wall was a framed copy of the Nov/Dec 97 issue of the Pet Tribune in which Carol appeared on the cover. Terry Putz and Pam Linden designed the house. Carol entertained the guests with a performance of "Love without Strings," the theme song to the television special "Bob Hope Presents Morris the Cat Salutes America's Pets" for which she received an Emmy nomination. "The Hotel Catifornia" was purchased as a gift for acclaimed designer Carol Wior, creator of the Slimsuit, by her husband Bruce and her daughter Niki. "The auction was a tremendous success, and the creativity was amazing," said Carol. The Auction raised $40,000 two years ago and was expected to raise as much as $100,000 this year. All proceeds go to PAWS-L.A. to help AIDS patients and their pets. | |