HOUSTON -- Dozens of people packed the Momentum BMW showroom on the Southwest Freeway Wednesday night, but they weren't there to shop for cars. They were there to attend a fundraiser for PAWS Houston.

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Event organizers Deena Carstens, Brooke Webster and PAWS Executive Director Donna Dishman.

PAWS, or Pets Are Wonderful Support, is a non-profit organization that helps sustain relationships between terminally or chronically ill pet owners and their beloved four-legged family members.

PAWS volunteers will take the pet to visit its owner in the hospital, hospice, nursing home or rehabilitation centers in the hopes of improved physical and mental health.

Most of the major hospitals in the Texas Medical Center now allow pet visits arranged through PAWS Houston.

Many doctors and nurses who have witnessed the dramatic effect of these four-legged visitors, are now among PAWS' biggest fans. Some even serve as volunteers themselves.

Other services provided by PAWS include subsidized veterinary care, volunteer pet care, foster care and adoption when necessary.

Donna Dishman, the founder and executive director of PAWS Houston, shared the spotlight Wednesday night with Katie, the group's spokesdog.

When Katie wasn't busy gobbling up delicious crab puffs and fortune cookies from P.F. Chang's, she posed for pictures with her fans.

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Katie is the official spokesdog and party pooch for PAWS Houston.

Other attendees bid on auction items gathered by event organizers Deena Carstens and Brooke Webster. The live auction items included two roundtrip tickets donated by Continental Airlines and purchased by Dr. Mark Silberman, a Houston veterinarian and longtime supporter of PAWS.

A laptop donated by Masterworks International owner and event underwriter Bob Munn, went to high bidder Steve Halpert.

For more information, to make a donation or to request a hospital visit, go to the PAWS Houston Web site or call 713.840.7297 (PAWS).