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On Tuesday, the Utah Jazz and Utah Mammoth took part in the Smith Entertainment Group’s ‘Pay It Forward’ initiative. Players from both teams (as well as broadcasters, mascots and others) were in a number of places across Salt Lake County covering people’s groceries, paying for meals and drinks, buying gas, and — probably most adorably — covering the cost of pet adoptions.
It was at Best Friends Animal Society in Sugar House where I caught up with Kyle Filipowski, who said he was going to try his best to leave the shelter without a dog, as it would probably make his 8-year-old German Shepherd, who was waiting at home, grumpy.
The Jazz forward brought a haul of treats, leashes, toys and other goodies for the animals and SEG covered the cost of pet adoptions for the day.
Filipowski took a dog on a walk before heading to the puppy room where he held as many of the little pups in his arms as possible before heading over to hang out with the kittens. But between the mews and barks, Filipowski said that he jumped at the opportunity to help out, especially with the shelter.
“It was an incredible opportunity to enjoy my passion and love for dogs and animals and try to do some good in the community,” Filipowski said. “Just show some light on these little guys and help find them homes.”
But the Jazz and affiliated teams aren’t done trying to find homes for animals. The Salt Lake City Stars, the Jazz’s G League affiliate, have partnered with Best Friends to host a pet adoption event during the team’s Dec. 15 game at the Maverick Center. Fans will have the opportunity to adopt a pet on-site, with the Stars covering all adoption fees.
That’s right. If you attend the Stars’ game, there will be pets in the arena available to adopt at no cost.
So, if you’ve been thinking that it’s time to add a furry family member, or there’s someone you know who deserves a new best friend for Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to give the gift of a home to a pet that is desperately waiting to be loved.
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