Hockey legend Don Cherry is a famous dog lover – and Thursday, the former Bruins and Rockies coach announced the formation of a foundation in his name to benefit and promote animal welfare across Canada.
Don Cherry creates new foundation to promote and support animal welfareLegendary hockey coach Don Cherry is partnering with a dog treat company to create a charity in his name promoting and supporting the well-being of animals.
Run in collaboration with Simply Pets dog treats, Don Cherry's Pet Rescue Foundation will provide financial aid to registered pet rescue groups, and educate the Canadian public on animal welfare. All of Cherry's portion of proceeds raised from the purchase of Simply Pet products will go to the organization, and the former pro player and onetime NHL bench boss couldn't be prouder to be assisting animals in need and the people who devote their lives to that end.
"From raising rabbits as a little boy, to owning my beloved Blue," Cherry said in a statement, "there has always been a special place in my heart for dogs. I feel if you meet someone who is mean to a dog, chances are, the way they treat people will not be far off. In the past, anyone who asked me for autographed merchandise to be used in a pet rescue fundraising event, got an automatic reply of, 'my pleasure'. In my heart I always wished I could do more. Especially when I’d meet the dedicated people who gave so unselfishly of their time to save and rescue pets. They are people who I term, 'in the trenches' in saving animals' lives."
The products benefitting Cherry's new foundation will be sold at WalMart stores across Canada and at the company's Canadian website.