Orioles, Pets Smile for Cameras for Annual Calendar Fundraiser

BALTIMORE (WJZ)--Some of Baltimore's most famous faces are posing with some of the furriest faces around.

This photoshoot is for the annual pet calendar which pairs Orioles players with their own pets and rescue animals.

Catcher Matt Wieters smiles for the camera with his German Shepherd Millie and then cradles a 3-week old kitten who's available for adoption.

"All the guys love animals. They love to be able to take pictures and then to see the calendar come out that's put together really well," said Wieters. "And knowing that the money is going to a good cause is something everyone in the clubhouse loves doing."

The calendar features players and pets at locations around Oriole Park at Camden Yards with proceeds benefiting the city's animal shelter, BARCS.

RELATED: Behind-The-Making Of The Orioles Pet Calendar

"The more that we can get out the word for treating animals with kindness and respect and giving them a loving home that helps promote goodness in our community as well," said Maria Wieters.

Even though WJZ is getting a behind the scenes look, the final product is top secret. You'll have to wait for the calendar to see which pictures made the cut.

The rescue cats and dogs are just some of the 12,000 animals BARCS takes in every year.

"To be able to see them in that softer side, a more personable side of them with an animal, it just really helps to spread awareness," said Jennifer Brause, BARCS executive director.

Awareness that could get animals off city streets and in forever homes.

The calendar costs $15 and will be on-sale later this season.

This is the fifth year for the pet calendar. In 2015, it helped raise $46,000 for animals in need.