Longoria home runs will again aid animal shelter

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-For the third consecutive season, every home run hit by Rays All-Star third baseman Evan Longoria will benefit the Pet Pal Animal Shelter, a no-kill, nonprofit shelter in St. Petersburg. For every home run he hits during the 2014 season, Longoria will join Bright House Sports Network, the Rays and Ducky's Sports Lounge to each donate $100 to the shelter. 

Longoria and his fiancée, Jaime Edmondson, have two rescue dogs, Jango, a nine-year-old bull terrier and Tatum, a five-year-old Boerboel Mastiff.

"We are so grateful to Evan and Jaime and the Tampa Bay Rays for once again going to bat for Pet Pal Animal Shelter," said Pet Pal Executive Director Scott Daly. "Every home run means that another animal's life will be saved and another family will find a new best friend."

"Jamie and I are proud to continue to support our local nonprofit, no-kill shelter for the third consecutive year," Longoria said. "We are very grateful for the support of our partners and we look forward to the continued growth of a project we both care about deeply."

Despite missing more than half of the 2012 season with a partially torn left hamstring, Longoria's 49 home runs the past two seasons have generated more than $20,000 for Pet Pal.

Pet Pal Animal Shelter is a no-kill, nonprofit organization committed to rescuing dogs and cats from animal shelters that may otherwise be euthanized due to time limitations, illness, injuries or lack of socialization and training. Pet Pal is also dedicated to educating the public about the pet overpopulation crisis, the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership.