It's time to start a new year. So what do you need? Why, a calendar, of course. And now people can help homeless animals just by buying a 2007 calendar.

Many rescue groups put out calendars as fund-raisers to pay for medical care, feeding or other needs of pets waiting for a home. Here are some local calendars that will not only let you keep track of your appointments, but will let you help homeless pets.

MAILEY McLAUGHLIN/Atlanta Humane Society (ENLARGE)

Wasabi, a 1-year-old spayed Akita mix, is a people-oriented dog who enjoys playing in a fenced-in yard. Wasabi received some training before coming to the Atlanta Humane Society, but will need further assistance with housetraining and manners in her new home. Please research Wasabi's breed and bring in the family to meet her before adopting. Wasabi will be at the Atlanta Humane Society, 981 Howell Mill Road N.W. Sealed bids will be taken at 1:30 p.m. Dec. 31.

(ENLARGE)

Third baseman Chipper Jones and a canine pal step up for the Atlanta Braves Foundation.

Atlanta Animal Rescue Friends: The AARF calendar features pets that have all been rescued. $10. It's available online at www.aarfatlanta.org and at Park Pet Supply (404-588-0140) and Inman Park Pet Works (404-522-4544) in Atlanta and Wag-a-Lot dog facilities in Decatur and Atlanta.

Adopt a Greyhound Atlanta: This calendar is put out by Celebrating Greyhounds magazine, but it's sold to rescue groups all over the country to use as a fund-raiser. These groups take in racers that are no longer wanted and try to find them homes. There's a 13-month wall calendar for $12 or a weekly desk planner for $15. Order online at www.greyhounds2.org.

Atlanta Dog Squad: This is the Year of the Retriever calendar, celebrating everything from Labradors to goldens and more. It's available online at www.atlantadogsquad.org and at various local businesses. Check the Web site for the store nearest you.

German Shepherd Dog Rescue Group of Georgia: If you love German shepherds, then this is the calendar for you. Many of the dogs chosen for the calendar are former rescue dogs that have landed in better positions since their days as unwanted pooches. $20. Available online at www.gashepherd.org.

Braves Pet Calendar: While not a rescue group, the Braves have a lot of animal lovers on board, including manager Bobby Cox. Some of the players were photographed with their pets, while others posed with homeless animals from the Homeless Pets Foundation. The $10 calendar started in October and runs through 2007. Money from the calendar goes to the Atlanta Braves Foundation, which supports local community organizations. Available online at www.braves.com, at the Braves Clubhouse Store in CNN Center or by calling 1-800-433-2728.

NASCAR Pets: Driver Greg Biffle and his girlfriend, Nicole Lunders, founded the Greg Biffle Foundation in 2005 to help homeless animals. This calendar features a number of NASCAR drivers and their pets. $13.99. Available at www.gregbifflefoundation.com.

Animals Deserve Better: This northside group has a laminated, one-page calendar that's great for a desk or wall for $5. It's available at its adoptions every Sunday (starting again Jan. 7) from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at the Petsmart at 1285 Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta. Or e-mail the Web site, www.animalsdeservebetter.com, and they'll mail it to you.

It's a "Two Fur." The after-Christmas sales have started at Good Mews, a no-kill cat shelter in Marietta. The shelter is holding a two-for-one sale through Jan. 31, where any two cats or kittens are available for $110. The shelter has about 100 cats available for adoption, in all shapes, sizes and colors. All cats at the shelter have been vaccinated, dewormed, spayed or neutered and microchipped.

The shelter is at 736 Johnson Ferry Road, Suite A-3, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays, 1-4 p.m. the first and third Sunday of each month, or by appointment. Information: 770-499-2287, www.goodmews.org.

In memory of a murdered puppy. The Fulton County animal shelter has opened a fund in memory of the puppy who was burned to death in the gas oven of an Atlanta community center Aug. 21. A jury this month was unable to reach a verdict against the two teens accused of the crime, but they are scheduled to be retried in January.

Fulton shelter director Susan Feingold said people have asked how they could help animals like the tortured 3-month-old puppy. So Fulton County Animal Services, which is managed by Southern Hope Humane Society, has started the In Memory of Angel fund to provide veterinary care and surgeries for abused and neglected animals taken into their shelter.

Feingold said they investigated 720 cases of cruelty in the first 11 months of 2006, and charged 235 people with cruelty so far this year. One commonly seen problem in Fulton County: collars deeply embedded in a pet's neck because owners put a collar on them as a puppy, then fail to ever check it again as the animal grows.

"Those collars have to be surgically removed," Feingold said. "We get cases like that every week."

People can donate to the fund at www.fultonanimalservices.com, by calling 404-794-0358 or by mailing a check to Fulton County Animal Services, 860 Marietta Blvd., Atlanta, GA 30318.

Quick tip

NOT A PARTY ANIMAL: Crowds of people can scare and disorient pets. Unless your pet is outgoing, and you're sure it won't dart outside as people come and go, keep it in a quiet room with a few toys and treats if a party is going on.

News to share?

Know of pet news, events or stories? Tell Sandra Eckstein at seckstein@ajc.com or call 404-526-7260.