This spring I wrote a #PawPawty article that introduced you to many of the anipals behind the infamous grandaddy of all anipal Twitter pawties.  But did you know that even if you can’t attend a #PawPawty, or simply want a souvenir to remind you of all of the fun you had at a #PawPawty, there is a talented anipal behind the scenes that brings you #PawPawty swag?  In this article I introduce you to @JavatheCat, the super-kitty that works graphics magic and helps @FrugalDougal and #PawPawty raise money for all of the animals in need.

Recently I met up with @JavatheCat where she took me for a spin in her pink convertible Cadillac and we happily cruised the streets of Java’s hometown, Irvine, CA, USA.  With our fur blowing in the warm breeze I asked Java how she got involved in #PawPawties. “Well, @MizzBassie & @JazzydaCat & I were tweeting about how much fun the pawties were and wouldn’t it be pawesome to open a cafe for them. So we created the Jaba Jazz Bar & eCafé. It was such a success that @FrugalDougal asked me to do one for the Woodstock #PawPawty. Then @MizzBassie came up with #Chickfest. I helped her create a web site, which also had a new menu for the café…the rest is history!”

The Beginning

Knowing that Java’s involvement with #PawPawties had gone beyond menu planning, I asked her to expand on Zazzle, her online #PawPawty store. As Java put on her sunglasses, she explained, “The Zazzle store started when I designed the art for the Chickfest site. It was such fun @MizzBassie & I decided to sell products for charity. That is when we formed the online store. It became the official #PawPawty store when we held the Halloween #pawty, selling items for that special event. Next, I partnered with @frugaldougal to make the Zazzle site the official #PawPawty commemorative store!”

Store Supports Animal Charities

I was curious how Java’s store is involved in @FrugalDougal’s #PawPawty fundraising efforts, so I asked Java if her Zazzle store benefits animal charities.  “Oh yes,” explained Java, “each sale of #PawPawty merchandise has a mark-up, this is what we set that goes on top of what Zazzle charges for their services. 100% of that mark-up goes to the #PawPawty animal charities. Also, when anyone comes thru the Zazzle store using a special referral link (http:www.zazzle.com/javathecat*) the charities will get an additional 15% bonus! Even if they decide to shop in the Zazzle marketplace and lets say buy a soccer t-shirt! As long as they enter the Zazzle store thru our link our charities will get that bonus!”

As Java pulled in to a drive-thru taco stand to order our lunch, I asked her if she knew how much money her Zazzle site has raised for animal charities.  “Yes, we have raised $775 so far. We try not to make the items too expensive…let’s face it Zazzle is making money! So the best way to increase our contribution is to make sure the anipals are using that referral link. Also if they ever go thru the #PawPawty site or any of the menus, that referral is built in to the web links.” 

Wow, that’s a lot of money you’ve raised for the animals, Java, I exclaimed as I gobbled down my fish taco.

The Artist

I sat quietly next to Java while she creatively played with her fish taco, making little faces and figurines out of her food.  Java, I said, you are very artistic, that must be why you manage the artwork for #PawPawty.  “Well my ma is an apparel and textile designer. She has a studio with a couple partners, one is a cartoonist! He drew the Anipal Olympics trio, St. Pawtrick’s Day cat & Paw’s Kitchen cartoons… they do the artwork and I supervise! They use PhotoShop & Freehand for most of the designs.”  Ahhhh, Java is management, that makes sense.

As Java circled her Cadillac in to her garage I asked her if she works with other charities or mainly focuses on the #PawPawties. “Well, I am involved with just the #PawPawty charities and our local animal shelter. Ma & her partners do work for the Sumba Foundation (and island in Indonesia) too. My family & I love to help animals. Over the years my folks have adopted big cats at the Exotic Feline Breeding Center. But over time we just didn’t have lots of cash any more…I must eat too much or something! So they try to donate whatever they can, so art and design seemed to be the best way to help out!  The #PawPawties are purrfect for that. And we get to help animals around the world, not just in our neighborhood. The anipals are pawesome for making that happen!”

Thank You…Now I Must Go Shopping!

I’d like to thank @JavatheCat for taking me for a spin in her car and treating me to a wonderful lunch. I learned a lot about how she helps out #PawPawties and all of the animals in need. I hope you can visit @Javathecat’s Zazzle site, do a little shopping through the referral link, and help out the animals in need too!

Tagged as: @frugaldougal, @javathecat, pawpawty, zazzle