Did you know the exclusively donation-funded Cleveland Animal Protective League turns no animals away - regardless of age, health or behavior?

It's quite amazing when you consider that thousands of homeless and abused animals arrive at its doorstep each and every year.

If you're interested in helping the cause, here are two things to consider:

• The nonprofit's annual gala fundraiser - the Fur Ball "Cold Noses, Warm Hearts" - is coming up, slated for 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, at the InterContinental Hotel Cleveland.

All proceeds benefit its Second Chance Fund, which provides veterinary care for animals looking for a chance to heal and start a new, healthy life.

Hosted by Q104's Rebecca Wilde, the event will include dinner, a video presentation of success stories, and silent and live auctions featuring a "Lunch With" series of local celebrities and the opportunity to have your pet appear on the cover the 2011 Cleveland APL calendar.

Tickets for individuals and 10-person corporate and private tables will be available later this summer. For more information call 216-771-8823 or click here.

• For a $25 entry fee, enter the 2010 calendar contest, in which 12 winning pet pictures will get prime real estate as "Pets of the Month."

The fee includes a copy of the full-color calendar and a guarantee that your pet will appear somewhere in its pages. All entries must be postmarked or sent digitally by July 17.

To learn how to enter, click here.

-- Sandra M. Klepach, SKlepach@News-Herald.com