The Jacksonville Jaguars gave defensive lineman Malik Jackson a fortune in free agency last year, and Jackson is giving back to his new home.

With pet shelters in Jacksonville full, Jackson paid the adoption fees for 181 homeless pets, according to the Jacksonville Humane Society (JHS). Pets from the JHS and Jacksonville Animal Care & Protective Services (ACPS) were available for adoption last weekend at local PetSmart stores and the JHS.

The Jacksonville Humane Society told stories of a woman who heard of the free adoptions and found an older cat named Devan who had not been adopted due to its Feline Immunodeficiency Virus and scars. The woman adopted Devan. Also, the free adoptions led to a dog named Prince, who needs arthritis treatment, finding a new home.

Jackson, who signed a six-year deal worth more than $85 million last offseason, didn’t just give money, he showed up to sign autographs and meet fans and the staff. Here’s a picture from the JHS website of Jackson with Prince the dog and the woman who adopted him:

View photos Malik Jackson paid adoption fees for homeless pets like Prince the dog. (jaxhumane.org) More

Jackson’s generosity comes right after Philadelphia Eagles receiver Torrey Smith did a similar thing by paying for homeless pets’ adoption fees in Baltimore, where he used to play.

– – – – – – –

Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdown.corner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @YahooSchwab

More from Yahoo Sports:

• LeBron makes clear to Celtics who is No. 1 in the East

• George W. Bush photobombs reporter at game

• Blue Jays star apologizes for gay slur amid MLB investigation

• NFL player earns master’s, astonishing GPA from Columbia