As a part of the Hockey & Hounds initiative, PSPCA and PAWS have teamed up with the Flyers and Flyers Alumni to name 32 adoptable dogs after current Flyers players and Flyers Alumni to help them score forever homes
See the full roster for PSPCA dogs here and PAWS dogs here
MEDIA ASSETS: Accompanying photos can be downloaded here
PHILADELPHIA (December 14, 2022) – Today, the Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA) and the Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), along with the Philadelphia Flyers and Flyers Alumni, are excited to announce the official 2022-2023 Hockey & Hounds Roster of Adoptable Dogs. As part of the Hockey & Hounds initiative and in partnership with PSPCA and PAWS, 32 adoptable dogs have been named after each player on the 2022-2023 Flyers roster and a group of Flyers Alumni to help them score a forever home.
As pandemic restrictions have been largely removed throughout the region, the Flyers announced before the season that each player on the team would be paired with a local charitable or community-focused initiative. The idea to create a Hockey & Hounds roster was inspired by a recent visit to PSPCA by Flyers defensemen and advocate for animal welfare Rasmus Ristolainen. Last week, he made a special visit to PSPCA to tour the facility, make the dogs special treats, and learn more about animal rescue and welfare. Check out their visit to PSPCA here.
Currently located at PSPCA (North Philadelphia) and looking for their home team, the roster consists of 26 chihuahuas recently rescued together by the PSPCA’s Humane Law Enforcement team who are named after each player on the Flyers 22-23 roster. In addition to Risto and Provy, are Sarge (Scott Laughton), Hayesy (Kevin Hayes), Beezer (Joel Farabee), and others. See the full roster and read their stories here.
“My pup means so much to me and I am so glad to have represented the team for this charity because I love what they are doing at PSPCA and PAWS,” said Ristolainen. “I think it’s awesome that every guy on the roster will have a pup named after them. Especially since now there will be a ‘Risto’ up for adoption.”
Rounding out the roster and honoring Flyers local alumni Brad Marsh, Bob Kelly, Todd Fedoruk, Jim Watson, and Joe Watson are Marshy, Hound, Fridge, and Watson. The four dogs named in honor of the alumni are currently located at PAWS (Old City). Learn more about Marshy, Hound, Fridge, and Watson here.
“My fellow Alumni and I are excited to team up with the Flyers to help these local pups find a home,” said Brad Marsh, President of Flyers Alumni. “We are honored to have them named after us and we hope with some extra awareness we can help get them adopted.”
Earlier this season, the Flyers and Coach Tortorella teamed up with PAWS and PSPCA to launch Hockey & Hounds to bring attention and awareness to local animals who are looking for a forever home.
“We are thrilled to hear about what PSPCA and PAWS is doing with these dogs and it’s fantastic to have them all associated with the Flyers in this way to help their cause for adoption,” said Tortorella. “Since my family and I got here, we’ve seen the tremendous work they have done in caring for and fostering animals. It is our hope that the platform created with these groups and the Philadelphia Flyers brings more attention to their work and the help that is critical towards finding these animals a forever home.”
Each week, an adoptable dog from either PSPCA or PAWS are featured on 97.5 The Fanatic’s Hockey & Hounds segment, and highlighted at PhiladelphiaFlyers.com/
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About Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS' mission is to make Philadelphia a no-kill city where every savable pet is guaranteed a home. As the city's largest rescue partner and provider of affordable, basic veterinary care, PAWS saves and finds loving homes for thousands of homeless animals each year, and prevents thousands more from entering shelters in the first place by enabling families to care for and keep their cherished pets. To join PAWS by adopting, donating, fostering, or volunteering, please visit https://phillypaws.org/.
About Pennsylvania SPCA (PSPCA)
The Pennsylvania SPCA rescues animals from cruelty and neglect, rehabilitates them medically and behaviorally, and places them with new, loving families. They bring their mission to life through the lifesaving efforts of our Humane Law Enforcement division, in-house shelter hospital, low-cost veterinary services, behavior and enrichment program, humane education, and placement of abandoned animals in loving forever homes. The PSPCA is the state's leading animal welfare organization. Headquartered in North Philadelphia, they have two regional locations, the Central PA Center at Danville (Montour County) and the Lancaster Center as well as our affiliate Main Line Animal Rescue. To learn more, please visit https://www.pspca.org/.