Redbox To Donate Proceeds From "SHELTER ME" Documentary To Organization That Helps Shelter Pets

NEW YORK, April 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Every year, 3 to 4 million dogs and cats are euthanized in the United States. But groups across the country are working with their local shelters to get more people involved to help these homeless animals. Their stories are told in the inspiring film, SHELTER ME, which premieres at Redbox^® kiosks today.

All proceeds from SHELTER ME rentals between April 23^rd through April 29^th will benefit Ellen DeGeneres' Halo Pet Foundation, whose mission is to enhance the well-being of pets and the people who love them. This unprecedented partnership will help to raise funds to help shelter pets and educate people about rescue. 

SHELTER ME can be found at Redbox here:  http://www.redbox.com/movies/shelter-me

"I believe that by working together, we can find good homes for the millions of homeless and abandoned pets out there," says Ellen DeGeneres.

"We're honored to support the Halo Pet Foundation and everything they do to promote the well-being of pets and their owners," said Anne Saunders, president of Redbox.  "We hope all pet lovers take the opportunity to watch 'SHELTER ME' this week, and in the process, help us contribute to this important cause."

SHELTER ME is hosted by Katherine Heigl (Grey's Anatomy, Knocked Up) and sponsored by talk-show host Ellen's natural pet food company Halo, Purely for Pets^©. The film celebrates shelter pets with positive and uplifting stories and shows how people's lives are improved when they adopt these animals.

SHELTER ME, which is distributed by Virgil Films, focuses on how shelter pets are helping war veterans cope with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). Filmmakers also go inside a women's prison, where inmates train shelter dogs to become service animals for people with disabilities. And we see the journey of two stray dogs, from the day they are picked up on the streets and brought to a shelter until the day they become beloved family pets. 

SHELTER ME, which was produced and directed by award-winning filmmaker Steven Latham (NOVA: Saved by the Sun, TED: The Future We Will Create), is about second chances, hope, helping others and making a difference – and about how dogs are truly man's best friend.

About Redbox
Redbox Automated Retail, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Coinstar, Inc. (Nasdaq: CSTR), offers new-release DVD, Blu-ray Disc™ and video-game rentals through its network of conveniently located, self-service kiosks. Redbox has rented more than 2.5 billion discs and is available at approximately 43,000 kiosks across 35,500 locations nationwide, including leading grocery, drug and convenience stores, and select Walgreens, Walmart and McDonald's locations in some markets. For more information, visit redbox.com.

About Halo, Purely for Pets 
For over 25 years, Halo, Purely for Pets® has created holistic pet products of uncompromising quality. Halo believes nutrition is the single most important factor in the quality of a pet's life. Halo offers natural pet food, treats, supplements and grooming products - including the award-winning Halo Spot's Stew, Dream Coat and Liv-a-Littles treats. Ellen DeGeneres – a long time Halo customer – became a part-owner of Halo in 2008. HALO's natural dog food, natural cat food, treats, supplements and grooming products are available at Pet Supplies Plus, PETCO, Whole Foods Market, your local pet specialty and natural food store, and online at http://www.halopets.com.

About Halo Pet Foundation
The Halo Pet Foundation's mission is to enhance the well-being of pets and the people who love them. Inspired by our love for animals, we strive to help pets and their families live longer, happier, healthier lives together. Specifically, we seek to educate people on responsible pet ownership, eliminating animal abuse and reducing the overpopulation of uncared for pets. One hundred percent of every donation to the Halo Pet Foundation is granted to animal welfare groups – all operational expenses are covered by Halo, Purely for Pets.

About Virgil Films
Virgil Films & Entertainment was founded in 2003 by Joe Amodei to acquire, market and distribute DVD, TV and Digital product in the theatrical feature film, documentaries, special interest and sports categories.  The company has built partnerships with OWN, Sundance Channel Home Entertainment, National Geographic Cinema Ventures, ESPN, MLB Productions, Morgan Spurlock's Warrior Poets and other high-profile entertainment brands since their inception.  Recent releases from Virgil Films & Entertainment include the documentary, Miss Representation; Todd Solondz's latest film, Dark Horse, the critically acclaimed documentary, High Ground and the hit documentary Forks Over Knives. They have also successfully released Oscar^® nominated documentary Restrepo.  www.VirgilFilmsEnt.com

SOURCE Virgil Films & Entertainment