Shelter Me: Phillies catcher raising money for PSPCA

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Phillies Catcher Cameron Rupp is coming to the rescue of homeless animals with a fundraiser dubbed Ruppapalooza.

Rupp says he's always had a love for animals.

"I'm a dog lover, I call myself a dog whisperer," he told us. "Any dog I see walking around - if I have a chance to go talk, go pet or say hello I'm going to do it."

Rupp has three dogs of his own and says he truly believes they are man's best friend.

"It doesn't matter how long you've been gone or how mad you get at them for just a few minutes, they're always happy to see you," he said.

On July 27th, Rupp is inviting his fellow dog lovers and baseball fans to Ruppapalooza at Morgan's Pier to raise money for the Pennsylvania SPCA.

"Cameron will be there, some other players will be there, the Philly Phanatic's going to be there," said PSPCA Director of Public Relations Gillian Kocher. "We're going to have some of the ball girls there as well. And of course some really adorable, adoptable puppies too."

There will be raffles and games as well.

You can buy tickets on the PSPCA website. General Admission tickets are $35, or you can upgrade to VIP tickets for $55 each.

VIP Tickets let you hang out with some Phillies ballplayers in the lounge.

"Every dog needs a home," says Rupp. "Anything I can do to help, any home I can help them have is something. I want to help."

Here are some of the PSPCA has up for adoption right now.

Sweetie is an Olde English Bulldog Mix who comes by her name honestly.

"She's just the sweetest, sweetest girl you could ever meet," said Kocher.

Onyx is a 7-month-old puppy.

"He's probably a Pittie (pitbull) pup, but he has really pointy ears, too," said Kocher. "So who knows? Maybe he has some Shepherd in there as well."

Coco Puff is a two-year-old Chihuahua mix

"Sometimes littler dogs don't like to be held or picked up," said Kocher. But "he doesn't mind that at all."

And then there's Capone, a 9-year-old bulldog-beagle mix. He lived with one family his whole life, but they had to give him up.

If you're interested in Capone or any of these other animals, or if you want to spend a night hanging out with the Phillies and raising money for homeless animals, visit the PSPCA website.

And, if you'd like us to share your shelter success stories, post a picture to the FYI Philly Facebook page using #6abcshelterme and tell us where you adopted your pet and how much they mean to you.

We'll be featuring your stories on upcoming Shelter Me segments.

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