Pro rider gear raffled for dog rescue

This July, federal authorities broke up the largest dog-fighting ring in U.S. history. It ensnared people operating in five states, including Missouri, where the Humane Society of Missouri took in over 400 dogs rescued from the ring. But with so many dogs coming into their care at once, the MHS sent out a plea for donations. Cycling photographer Jonathan Devich decided to take things a step further than simply sending some toys or writing a check. He set up a fundraising initiative called MODogs, and is donating proceeds from any prints he sells from shooting the Tour of Missouri. Beyond that, he is encouraging the greater cycling community to help, too, through a raffle he’s organized with the help of a number of top professional cyclists and teams who will be participating in the upcoming Tour of Missouri.

“I have three rescue dogs, two of which are pit bulls,” Devich said. “I thought the breakup of this ring happening around the same time Michael Vick got signed to a new professional contract was auspicious. Knowing that I would be in Missouri for the Tour, I wanted to do what I could to help. This seemed like a great opportunity to mobilize the cycling community to help the Humane Society of Missouri care for these rescued dogs.”

Devich will be holding the MODogs raffle through his own website, epicimages.us, to raise funds for the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Fund.

To date, Devich has commitments of raffle items from a number of top riders and teams. They include Levi Leipheimer, whose wife, Odessa, is heavily involved in animal rescue efforts, and will donate the signed Astana jersey he was wearing when he crashed during Stage 11 of the 2009 Giro d’Italia; Floyd Landis, who is donating a signed OUCH Presented by Maxxis jersey; Tim Johnson (OUCH Presented by Maxxis), who is donating a signed jersey from his
Cyclocrossworld kit for 2009-10 season; and Davide Frattini (Colavita/Sutter Home), who will contribute a signed Italian National Team cyclocross jersey. Missouri resident Brad Huff (Jelly Belly) is also contributing a signed team jersey. The race organization is also contributing a signed yellow Tour leader’s jersey. Teams committed to signed jerseys for the MODogs raffle include Columbia-HTC and Garmin-Slipstream.

“I’m really happy to have this much support already from the professional cycling ranks,” Devich said. “I want to make this a positive message about what the Humane Society is doing in Missouri, and that those of us associated with the race will be there to support their efforts. I’ve also tried to make this easy to be a part of. Anyone can come to my site and use a credit card to buy $5 raffle tickets, as well as order a ToM print if they want. I’ll also have information there about the Humane Society and what they’re doing for the rescued dogs. Hopefully, we can get more support for their efforts from the cycling community, and get information out to fans along the way during the Tour of Missouri, as well.”

To buy MODogs raffle tickets and purchase Devich’s Tour of Missouri prints, visit epicimages.us. For raffle tickets, simply click on the image of the raffle ticket and add as many as you want to your cart. You can purchase raffle tickets throughout the Tour of Missouri. Prizes will be awarded during the week following the Tour of Missouri.

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