Three great fundraising events are on the horizon with all profits funding the care of needy animals at the South Euclid Humane Society – and it's a good thing, too, because the nonprofit group serving South Euclid, University Heights and Richmond Heights has never been in such need of help. (Remember, this organization does not have a shelter. It relies entirely on foster homes and donations.)

The first is a spaghetti dinner from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 24, at the University Suburban Health Center, 1611 South Green Road. Think food and the opportunity to meet cats up for adoption. Tickets will be sold at the door: $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and children under 10.

The second is DogTopia Daycare for Dogs' fabulous Howl-o-Ween Party/Doggy costume contest from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Friday, October 30. Bring your leashed, well-behaved dogs! Admission is $10, but prizes could more than make up the difference – first prize is five days of daycare and one month service from Poopbusters ($150 value), second prize is a doggy toy chest of toys and treats ($75 value), and third prize is a DogTopia sweatshirt and hat and a Poopbusters T-shirt ($50 value).

Four great dogs – three big boys and one medium girl – and "tons of cats and kittens" will be looking for a new home at the event. In addition to the party, DogTopia of Cleveland Heights will proudly unveil its Adoption Hall of Fame with photos and stories of all dogs it has fostered for the group. Should be a heartwarming time.

Then, at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 6, the annual Pets Light Up Our Lives tree-lighting will brighten up the northwest corner of Mayfield and Green roads.

This event will also include the drawing for a hand-hooked rug, “Home at Last: Lonely No More,” valued at more than $750 and crafted over six months by Linda Crane and the Tuesday Morning hooking group. Tickets are a dollar each, with a free ticket for every 10 purchased. The winner need not be present to win.

Anyone unable to attend these events may send a tax-deductible donation, with checks payable to South Euclid Humane Society, to Laura Buck, 4508 Rainbow Road, South Euclid, Ohio 44121 – and put those donations toward the rug raffle, too! Just write RUG, your phone number, and the number of tickets you're buying on the memo line.

Call Laura at 216-297-0360 with questions about fostering or adopting, the raffle, the spaghetti dinner or the Halloween party.

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