A Kansas City Chiefs player is celebrating his team’s 2023 Super Bowl win by giving back to his local community.
Derrick Nnadi, a defensive tackle, is paying for the adoption of every dog currently sheltered at the KC Pet Project. The effort is in conjunction with pet food supplier Kiwi Pets.
As of the Super Bowl, every single dog at the shelter was able to go home at no cost to the adopting families.
“Starting Monday, February 13th, 264 dogs will have their adoption fees paid for thanks to their incredible support, and we can’t wait to help them get matched with wonderful families,” said Tori Fugate, chief communications officer at KC Pet Project.
“We have had an amazing, season-long, partnership with Derrick Nnadi and ZIWI with so many dogs finding their homes, and now all 264 dogs that are available for adoption are sponsored by them until they are adopted,” KC Pet Project wrote on their Facebook page after the Chiefs 38-35 win over the Philadelphia Eagles.
KC Pet Project took in 15,703 animals during 2022, including 7,686 dogs, 7,554 cats, and 463 other pets. The adoption fee is usually around $150.
The organization also facilitated 10,725 adoptions last year, which it says was the largest number of pets adopted in Kansas City’s history.
Annual expenses for owning a dog can range between $1,500 and $1,900. KC Pet Project partnered with other local organizations to provide more than $144,000 in financial assistance to thousands of families so they could keep their pets.
After posting about the effort on his Twitter page, Nnadi’s feed was flooded with positive messages from supporters.
Across the U.S., roughly 6.3 million animals enter shelters every year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Roughly 4.1 million are adopted each year, while about 920,000 are euthanized.
Nnadi played college football for Florida State, and was a round three pick in the 2018 NFL draft.
He has been serving his community through the Derrick Nnadi Foundation by providing assistance to youth and families in need.
