Josh Duhamel teams up with PetSmart Charities to help homeless pets

Actor/producer Josh Duhamel and his production company, Dakotakid Media, are lending their services to PetSmart Charities for the launch of Rescue Waggin': Tales from the Road.



Under the direction of executive producers Duhamel and Jude Weng, the eight-episode web series follows homeless dogs as they travel hundreds, even thousands, of miles for a better chance of being adopted. The web series includes cameos from a cache of celebrity pet adoption advocates, including Kristen Bell, Adam Shankman and Bret Michaels.



The web series chronicles the shelter pet transport process from start to finish and showcases real stories of dogs and puppies from communities with more pets than adopters to communities where adoptable pets are in demand.



New webisodes are viewable each Monday in March at www.rescuewaggin.org.



Rescue Waggin' vehicles travel up to 3,000 miles a week giving hopeless pets a new "leash" on life. The program has saved the lives of more than 70,000 dogs and puppies since 2004.



"The Rescue Waggin' program is an extension of our adoption program and unites animal shelters from across the country in an effort to avoid euthanizing healthy, adoptable dogs," said Jan Wilkins, executive director of PetSmart Charities. "We are excited to show the world how our Rescue Waggin' program gives thousands of beautiful dogs and puppies a second chance at life."



"Adopting my dachshund, Meatloaf, changed my life," said Duhamel. "He was a clumsy little dude with horrible breath, but we adored him."



Meatloaf turned the Hollywood actor into a passionate advocate for animal rescue.



"I tell anybody who's going to get a pet that adoption is the only way to go, not just because it's the right thing to do, but because they make incredible pets. I'm honored to partner with PetSmart Charities to help share the joy of pet adoption with others," he added.



PetSmart Charities Rescue Waggin' program has not only helped save the lives of thousands of pets, but also helps many shelters improve their operations through spay/neuter programs, grants and mentoring.



The Rescue Waggin' program is sponsored by Blue Buffalo and Sergeant's Pet Care Products.