Katy Nelson, special to wtop.com
WASHINGTON – Every year in the United States 3-4 million dogs and cats are euthanized. Thousands of rescue groups around the country work diligently with local shelters to bring more awareness to this situation. These groups aim to get people personally and financially involved in helping homeless animals. Now, there is a new film available in Redbox kiosks; it tells the inspiring stories of some of these pets.
From April 23-29, all proceeds from the film “Shelter Me,” distributed Virgil Films, will benefit television star Ellen DeGeneres’ Halo Pet Foundation. The foundation’s mission is to enhance the well-being of pets and the people who love them.
This partnership was created to raise funds to help shelter pets and to educate Americans about animal rescue. One hundred percent of every donation to the Halo Pet Foundation is granted to animal welfare groups — all operational expenses are covered by DeGeneres’ pet food company Halo, Purely for Pets.
“Shelter Me” is hosted by Katherine Heigl (from “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Knocked Up”). The film celebrates shelter pets with beautifully uplifting stories and shows how people’s lives are changed for the better when they adopt these animals.
The first episode of “Shelter Me,” directed by award-winning filmmaker Steven Latham, focuses on how shelter pets are helping veterans with PTSD cope with daily life.
Filmmakers also go inside a women’s prison where inmates train shelter dogs to become service animals for people with disabilities.
And finally, we follow the journey of two stray dogs from the day they are picked up on the streets by animal control, to their time in the shelter and then into their forever homes.
“Shelter Me” is all about second chances, changing lives and making a difference – – and about how dogs are truly man’s best friend.
To find out how you can watch “Shelter Me” and support the Halo Pet Foundation, visit the Redbox website.
Watch a trailer for “Shelter Me” below:
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