Max, Erica Scherzer pay pet adoption fees as thank you to DC originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
As Max Scherzer prepares to make his first start Wednesday as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers, he and his wife Erica are saying “thank you” to the D.C. community for its support of them during their seven years with the Nationals by paying all pet adoption fees for any animals adopted at the Humane Rescue Alliance over the next seven days.
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“We couldn’t think of a better way to honor our time in Washington, DC, than by sponsoring adoption fees at the Humane Rescue Alliance so even more families can benefit from the love and joy of rescue animals – a feeling we personally experience every day through our own adopted animals,” the Scherzers said in a statement provided by HRA.
“While our time in the District is coming to an end, we are grateful to Nationals’ fans and the entire community for welcoming us. Whether near or far, we will remain steadfast supporters of HRA.”
According to HRA, the pledge comes at a critical time with both its adoption centers and foster homes at full capacity. HRA rescues animals ranging from cats and dogs to turtles, rabbits, birds, guinea pigs and mice. Erica is a board member for the organization, which has been rescuing animals in the D.C. area since 1870.
Max and Erica have been active animal advocates for years. In addition to Erica’s work at HRA, they sponsored pet adoptions in 2017 for animals displaced by Hurricane Harvey and matched over $27,000 in donations pledged for each strikeout he recorded in 2019 with the fund going toward helping rescue animals.
The Nationals traded Scherzer along with shortstop Trea Turner to the Dodgers at the trade deadline Friday, putting an end to the future Hall of Famer’s time in D.C. Though he no longer pitches in a Nationals uniform, he and his wife’s efforts will still be felt by every animal that finds a new home through HRA over the next week.
