Rays and Pet Pal Animal Shelter partner for third "Players and Pooches" calendar

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.-For the third straight year, the Tampa Bay Rays and Pet Pal Animal Shelter have partnered to create the "Players and Pooches" calendar. The calendar will go on sale Monday, December 22, 2014 at the Pet Pal Animal Shelter, Pet Pal Veterinary Clinic and the Rays Pro Shop and Ticket Outlet in Tampa (mail orders also available from this location). The calendar costs $20, with all proceeds going to Pet Pal.

This year's full-color calendar consists of 15 months, each featuring a different Rays player along with either their own dog(s) or a dog from Pet Pal.

The calendar includes: Grant Balfour, Brad Boxberger, Alex Cobb, Logan Forsythe, Brandon Gomes, Brandon Guyer, Ryan Hanigan, Kevin Kiermaier, Evan Longoria, Jake McGee, Matt Moore, Wil Myers, Jake Odorizzi and Kirby Yates. Guyer, Kiermaier, Myers and Odorizzi each posed with a shelter dog from Pet Pal.

The dog featured in Guyer's photo, Queenie, is still available for adoption along with dozens of other animals looking for homes.

"Our supporters wait anxiously around this time of year for the calendars and when they ask how much of the proceeds benefit Pet Pal, they are even greater fans of the Tampa Bay Rays than before," said Scott Daly, Executive Director of Pet Pal. "We are lucky and grateful for the Rays generosity."  

The calendar is made possible through the Rays and the Ted Williams Museum and Hitters Hall of Fame.

Pet Pal Animal Shelter is a no-kill, nonprofit 501(c)(3) animal organization dedicated 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. It is also committed to educating the public about the pet overpopulation crisis, the importance of spaying/neutering and responsible pet ownership.

For more information or to donate to Pet Pal Animal Shelter, visit petpalanimalshelter.com or call (727) 328-7738.