Phillies Second Baseman Urges Fans to Adopt Dogs and Cats From Animal Shelters and Never to Buy From Breeders or Pet Stores
For Immediate Release:
April 1, 2011
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
Philadelphia -- Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Chase Utley has just signed with a new "team," but don't worry, he's not leaving Philly. That's because on Monday—a day off between the Phillies' home series with the Houston Astros and the New York Mets—the perennial all-star and member of Sports Illustrated's 2009 All-Decade Team will unveil in person at Seger Dog Park his brand-new ad for PETA. In the ad, Utley poses alongside his beloved adopted dog Jack, whose parents were confiscated from a dogfighting ring. The ad, which was shot by celebrity photographer Gabrielle Revere, reads, "Adopt, Don't Buy. Buying Animals Is Killing Animals. Save a Homeless Dog or Cat—Always Adopt and Never Buy."
When: Monday, April 4, 12 noon
Where: Seger Dog Park, 1061 Rodman St. (near the intersection of S. 11th and Lombard streets), Philadelphia
"There's so many dogs and cats that don't have homes," said Utley in an exclusive PETA interview. "[I]t's really sad to see, so anytime I can encourage someone to adopt, I'm all for it."
Approximately 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters every year in the U.S., and roughly half of them must be euthanized simply because there aren't enough good homes. Buying an animal from a pet store or a breeder robs a homeless animal of his or her chance at adoption.
Utley—whose work in the community has included the Utley All-Star Animals fundraisers that he and his wife, Jennifer, have organized to benefit animals in shelters—also talked about how important Jack is to him in his personal life. Says Utley, "As a baseball player, there's many nights where I come home and … I've had a tough game, but seeing his face, it just kind of puts that behind you a little bit."
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
