Cristiano Ronaldo steps up to help save Portuguese shelter with 80 dogs

Sometimes, a seemingly innocuous gesture can go a long way. A very long way, in fact — especially when it comes from the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo.

A dog shelter in the Real Madrid star's native Portugal faced closure until Ronaldo stepped in, according to Correrio de Mahna. All Ronaldo had to do was send the kennel a signed jersey, which they could then auction off.

It's a simple and easy task, but he certainly had no obligation to do it. Yet he did! And the sentiment isn't lost on those that work with at the shelter.

“I want to thank Ronaldo from the bottom of my heart," shelter owner Liliana Santos said, via The Sun. “It’s a simple gesture, but very important.”

The shelter is located in Gouveia, just under 200 miles north of Lisbon, and houses 80 dogs. One of the kennel's volunteers reportedly has a connection to Ronaldo, which is how he heard of the ordeal. The autographed jersey, which was sent in November, arrived this week and will be auctioned.

The profits will go to the keeping "Cantinho da Lili" up and running. Ronaldo has a long history of charitable donations, so it's not a surprise that he stepped up. Still, a round of applause is in order for CR7.

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