Weekly Feature: Hidden Gems

Today's Hidden Gem: Cleveland APL!

Cleveland has a plethora of local organizations which help those in our area who can not help themselves. It's also proven and on record that whenever there is a national or natural disaster, Clevelanders gladly open their pocket books, volunteer their time, or even travel to whichever locale needs help!

The Cleveland Animal Protective League helps man's best friend and so many other animals who just can't speak for themselves!

The APL was incorporated back in 1913 and has been providing assistance to our local pets ever since. Their mantra: Adopt, Protect, Love! Being a non-profit humane society, the APL relies heavily on generous community assistance and the help & sponsorship of individuals and organizations to keep their hopes and dreams alive!

Many may think of the APL as a place where abandoned or stray pets wind up, and though that is true, the APL does so much more!

1. Adopt out pets they receive--in 2007, they placed almost 6,000 animals with new owners! They never give up and when space is limited, use their foster families to hold animals while they continue looking for a good owner.



2. Treat sick and injured animals. Contributors to the Second Chance Fund assist with this program.



3. Spay and Neuter--they have a new spay and neuter clinic which offers low-cost spay and neuter surgery to low-income owners as well as surgery for animal welfare groups, rescue groups, shelters, and others in need.



4. Screen dogs for heartworm



5. Screen cats for feline leukemia and FIV



6. Vaccinate all animals over 3 months old for rabies

The APL gets their need and their story out to the local media on a regular basis. Every Friday at 6am on Channel 3 News Today, Hollie Strano highlights adoptable dogs in her Doggone Weather segment. Every Friday on Good Company, Amy Hafner is LIVE with adoptable dogs. The APL also appears periodically on the Channel 3 weekend morning show with pets needing a good home.


The APL holds various events throughout the year to raise funds for their cause, their programs. One such event is HERE! The annual Pledge for Pets Radiothon on Q104 kicks off Friday, May 9th at 6am. It goes until 6pm and then starts up again Saturday, May 10th from 10am until 4pm.

The Q104 morning show team of Wilde and Fee will broadcast LIVE from the APL. I have tuned in every year and have heard absolutely heart wrenching, unbelievable stories of situations these animals have endured. Stories about abused, mistreated animals who have overcome as well as the heroes who rescued and nursed them back to life.

Last year's radiothon raised more than $126,000 and placed 125 animals.

If you are an animal lover or love helping out with good causes in your hometown, tune in for the 3rd annual Pledge for Pets Radiothon 2008 and you will see why the Cleveland APL is this week's Hidden Gem!

You can certainly get more details about the APL, their animals, the animals you have seen in this story on this blog, their programs, and upcoming events by logging onto http://www.clevelandapl.org/ or calling 216.377.1628.

Pictures and Information Courtesy and with Permission of the Cleveland APL.