Last Hope K9 Rescue hosts its inaugural Heaven Can Wait Gala from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., Thursday, October 24, at the Artists for Humanity Epi- Center, in Boston. The black tie optional event includes dinner, entertainment and live and silent auctions to promote awareness and raise funds for vital animal welfare programs.

“We hope people will dress up, eat, drink, dance and support our work, saving the lives of thousands of homeless dogs and puppies,” says Manda Carco, marketing manager for Last Hope K9 Rescue. “Since 2012, we’ve helped save more than 1,300 animals and we hope to double that number for 2014 with donor support.”

Heaven Can Wait will celebrate and honor the foster families, adopters, rescue dogs and donors, and is also designed to serve as a major animal rescue education event, bringing awareness to Last Hope’s mission, programs, groundbreaking shelter initiatives and urgent medical care. “Support makes it possible for Last Hope to handle the high costs of treating dogs that enter our program,” says Carco.

Cost: $150. Tickets can be purchased at HeavenCanWait.bpt.me. Location: Artists for Humanity EpiCenter, 100 W. 2nd St., Boston. For more information, call 781-316-6813 or visit LastHopeK9.org.