David Backes Launches Athletes for Animals

St. Louis Blues captain David Backes has assembled a team of doggedly devoted sports stars who are ready to ‘get in the game’ and help animals in need.

On November 10th the NHL great and his wife Kelly mingled with the media at the Mandarin Lounge in St. Louis at a celebration of the launch of their new foundation, Athletes for Animals.

Created to offer financial assistance to rescue organizations, promote the option of adoption and educate the public about responsible pet guardianship, Athletes for Animals includes the following players in its pack:

• Backes’ St. Louis Blues team mate Barrett Jackson. A doting Dad to two rescue dogs, Jackson is a long-time supporter of Stray Rescue of St. Louis.
• David Perron of the Edmonton Oilers, who is a pet parent to a cat and two canines.
• Defenseman Erik Johnson of the Colorado Avalanche, who has three tail-wagging chums cheering for him when he steps out on the ice.
• Never one to sit on the sidelines, Jake Long of the St. Louis Rams, who has two Labradoodles in his fur family, has joined the paws cause.
• James Laurinaitis of the St. Louis Rams, who has two Rottweilers and two Morkies on his ‘home team,’ is ready to get in the huddle to help find forever homes for Fidos and felines.
• Baseball star Kyle McClellan– who plays ball with his Golden Retriever when he’s not on the pitcher’s mound at a Texas Rangers game– has given a helping hand to several St. Louis animal rescue organizations.
• Long-time animal advocate and proud Pittie parent Mark Buehrle of the Toronto Blue Jays is ready to go to bat to help put an end to BSL.
• Pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Dad to two French Bulldogs, Trevor Cahill is ready to step up to the plate to help rescue organizations in Arizona and California.

Over the years David Backes has offered an assist to such rescue organizations as Five Acres Animal Shelter and Adopt-A-Pet.

For more information:

• visit http://athletesforanimals.org