Pets Lifeline’s Paws for a Cause focuses on dinner parties

This is about an important series of fundraisers for Pets Lifeline, and Paws for a Cause has at least two meanings.

Organizers, board members and staff of Pets Lifeline decided to pause their often steaming and wonderfully raucous fundraisers at Vintage Kennels in favor of smaller events, partially to avoid large crowds and the possibility of spreading viruses.

“Paws” of course refers to their offering temporary rescue and forever homes to cats and dogs in Sonoma’s new facility on Eighth Street East, all due to the community’s generosity and hard work to build the new kennel.

Now Pets Lifeline needs to secure operating expenses and invites guests to pay for a ticket to one or more of four dine-around-the-Valley events at any amount you wish. Maybe that’s simply the amount you would pay for a ticket or that you would pledge in person in a fund-a-need.

The first of these yummy events will be a five-course, meat-free dinner for people and a three-course dinner for your dog at Kivelstadt Cellars in Schellville. The whole event is generously sponsored by Yvonne Hall and Elaine and Graham Smith, so your donation will go a long way.

People can drink their wine out of a glass instead of lapping it out of a dog bowl. Those are reserved for those with four legs and a wagging tail.

The human dinner will include Executive Chef Oscar Bendeck’s smoked eggplant; endless summer salad with arugula, fennel, radish and stone fruit; walnut gazpacho; cauliflower Wellington with mushroom Duxelles and heirloom carrots; and a ube doodle cookies, Chantilly éclair, fresh fruits and Ghirardelli pot de crème, all paired with Kivelstadt’s fine wines.

The event is Sept. 9, 6-9 p.m. Suggested donations range from $100 (vaccinations for five dogs) to $10,000 (300 spay fees).

Look for Cocktails Among Wild Animals at Lyon Ranch on Sept. 24; a Behind the Scenes Experience and Picnic at Safari West on Oct. 2; and Fall Elegance Cocktails and Dinner at Pets Lifeline Oct. 30.

Register at petslifeline.org.