PRESS RELEASE

CELEBRITY ANIMAL ADVOCATE KATHERINE HEIGL AND ELLEN DEGENERES’ PET FOOD COMPANY, HALO, PURELY FOR PETS® SUPPORT PBS FILM, "SHELTER ME"

TV Premiere Illustrates How People’s Lives Are Positively Impacted By Shelter Dogs

Los Angeles, California – Actress and animal advocate Katherine Heigl is hosting the PBS premiere of "Shelter Me," a film that illustrates how people’s lives are positively impacted by shelter dogs. The one-hour, emotionally-charged television special celebrates the human-animal bond by showcasing three inspirational stories about shelter dogs and the lives they change.

"As a huge animal lover, I was immediately drawn to this project because it advocates for the homeless pets at our local shelters," said Katherine Heigl, co-founder of the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation. "It’s important to generate awareness and overcome stigmas about these local facilities as well as promote these amazing animals and how they improve people’s lives."

The project was created by filmmaker Steven Latham who wants to engage the public in helping to find solutions for the 3-4 million dogs and cats that are euthanized every year in the United States. "Shelter Me," is sponsored by Ellen DeGeneres’ pet food company, Halo, Purely for Pets®, and together they are committed to the well-being of shelter pets.

"Katherine Heigl and Ellen DeGeneres have been so dedicated to helping shelter pets and I am grateful that they are part of ‘Shelter Me," said Latham. "We need to continue to raise awareness and increase shelter adoptions. I want people to realize that shelter pets are the best pets."