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St. Louis Rams Star James Laurinaitis Helps Gateway Pet Guardians

BbuN7c-CUAAf9m8A middle linebacker for the St. Louis Rams recently helped to tackle the problems faced by homeless animals by teaming up with volunteers at Gateway Pet Guardians.

Proud pet parents to two Rottweilers named Gracie and Titus and Morkies Maya and Louie, football star James Laurinaitis and his wife Shelly were happy to help members of the organization as they brought nutritious meals to strays in East St. Louis and rescued two five-week-old puppies, who have been named Target and Venture. The sports star’s day of volunteering also included a tour of the shelter and Hillside Animal Hospital.

James Laurinaitis was paired with Gateway Pet Guardians through his position as an ambassador with Athletes for Animals. Launched by St. Louis Blues captain David Backes and his wife Kelly, the foundation– which promotes the option of pet adoption and offers financial assistance to rescue organizations– also includes such doggedly devoted players as Barret Jackman of the St. Louis Blues, David Perron of the Edmonton Oilers, the Colorado Avalanche’s Erik Johnson, Jake Long of the St. Louis Rams, Texas Rangers pitcher Kyle McClellan, the Toronto Blue Jays’ Mark Buehrle and Trevor Cahill from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Established in 2004, Gateway Pet Guardians saves more than 100 companion animals from life on the streets each year. Many of the canines and cats in the organization’s care live in loving foster homes as they wait for the day when they meet their forever families, and since 2012 the non-profit organization has also been able to rescue more animals thanks to a shelter space:

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Photo Credit: Twitter/ Athletes for Animals

This post originally appeared on DogTipper.com and is the sole property of DogTipper.com.