CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One of Charlotte’s favorite doggie day cares is about to open a non profit shelter that places stray dogs in homes. With the help of Project HALO, Helping Animals Live On, and the support of two infamous NFL football players, the shelter is scheduled to open at the beginning of October.

Club K-9 is financially backed by linebackers Will Witherspoon of the St. Louis Rams and Dan Morgan of the Carolina Panthers.

Morgan and Witherspoon have both been quoted as being animal lovers. And in the wake of the Michael Vick dogfighting case, these NFL football players have agreed to sponsor the new rescue program.

The Michael Vick case has been a hot topic all summer. Vick faces jail time and an indefinite suspension from the Atlanta Falcons after pleading guilty to his involvement in a federal dogfighting conspiracy. Witherspoon and Morgan decided to strike while the iron was hot, and show the public and animal abuse should not be tolerated, and that Vick’s actions shouldn’t reflect all NFL players.

Witherspoon and Morgan became friends 5 years ago as teammates for the Carolina Panthers. During their time together in Charlotte the two football players partnered with J.P. Brewer, owner of Club K-9. Brewer already had business in Uptown Charlotte. She later combined with Witherspoon and Morgan to open a second location in North Davidson.

The team is now working with Project Halo to open a non profit shelter that will place stay dogs in homes. The new facility will be called Club K-9 Halo.

Brewer said the facility has scheduled a grand opening in October, and they already have close to a dozen dogs available for adoption. Brewer also said that Witherspoon and Morgan have agreed to be lifelong donors in the project.