The Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter are hosting a fundraiser, the third Pause 4 Paws event, this upcoming Monday at Chianti’s Italian Cuisine restaurant.

Nettie Rose Cooley, a volunteer for the shelter, said the staff at the Warwick Animal Shelter have each and every animal’s best interest at heart and its “easy to fundraise” for such a worthy organization.

“You never want to hear about an animal having to spend time at a shelter, but if they have to the Warwick Animal Shelter is the place to be. It’s top notch,” Cooley said. “It’s the country club of animal shelters. No one cares more about these animals than the staff.”

When she had first begun volunteering she had been discussing with her friend T.J. Martucci, owner of both The Trap and Chianti’s restaurants, about wanting to do more for the organization. She mentioned the desire to begin a fundraiser and Martucci opened the doors to Chianti’s “immediately.”

Cooley said that because the restaurant is typically closed on Mondays the chefs and staff all volunteer their time. Vendors also donate the food to ensure that 100 percent of the proceeds benefits Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter, the non-profit fundraising branch for the shelter.

At the event guests can enjoy light fare and dessert. There will be a cash bar. There will also be a silent auction as well as raffles prizes including, but not limited to, items such as sports game tickets, fitness packages, a sterling silver pen set, house cleanings, gift certificates to local restaurants, a Block Island getaway, a 50/50 and a handcrafted Adirondack chair.

Over the last couple of years the event has had upwards of 140 attendees, raising just under $5,000. This year the hope is that the Pause for Paws event will reach or even surpass $5,000.

“I think people know about the great work going on at the shelter and want to help,” Cooley said. “They are really vested in these animals supporting them even after they are adopted to make sure they are taken care of. Everyone is always so giving each year.”

The Pause for Paws fundraiser will be this upcoming Monday, May 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chianti’s Italian Cuisine restaurant, 195 Old Forge Rd., East Greenwich. To purchase tickets call 263-5900. For more information visit the Friends of the Warwick Annual Shelter Facebook. All the money raised joins the Friends of the Warwick Animal Shelter general fund. These funds go towards medical care for the housed animals, spay and neuter initiatives, beds for the animals and heating and cooling assistance.