Trekking the distance to find love

"Arthur the King" is based on the true story of a dog who treks hundreds of miles to find someone to love — and ends up showing the entire world how extraordinary he is.

And Arthur isn't the only one looking for love! To celebrate the premiere of Lionsgate's new film, Arthur the King, Best Friends and Lionsgate are teaming up to give homeless dogs and cats in our communities a chance to find their very own people.

Now on Digital. Available on Blu-ray and DVD May 28. Be sure to check out the Best Friends PSA starring Mark Wahlberg in the Bonus Features.

Why we're teaming up

Best Friends and Lionsgate's "Arthur the King" are dedicated to helping homeless dogs and cats in shelters all across the country hoping to find their very own people.

Best Friends and Lionsgate's Arthur the King are teaming up to help homeless pets find loving families.

See what makes adopted pets so incredibly special

Arthur's not alone — there are dogs and cats in shelters all across the country hoping to find their very own people.

When you adopt a homeless dog or cat from a shelter or rescue group, you’re not only saving the life of a loving and loyal animal, but you’re also making space for other pets to find families of their own.

There are countless reasons to adopt a pet, but here are 10, starting with the big one.

10 reasons to adopt a shelter pet

You can help save the lives of homeless pets

You create a healthier community for both people and pets when you adopt, foster, and support the pets who need you most — homeless pets like Arthur in shelters around the country waiting to find loving homes.

Foster a pet

Fostering a pet is a flexible and short-term commitment with long-term impact. By opening your home to a dog or cat for even a few days, you can save lives.

The fun of fostering 

Smiling people enjoying time outside with a dog

Adopt a pet

When you adopt a cat or dog from a rescue group or animal shelter near you, you’re making a lifesaving difference for a loving and grateful animal.

Find adoptable cats and dogs near you 

Pets like Arthur at shelters near you are looking for love

The Best Friends Network is made up of thousands of public and private animal shelters, rescue groups, spay/neuter organizations, and other animal welfare groups, all working to save the lives of dogs and cats in communities like yours across the country.

Every one of our network partners needs caring people like you to help save lives through pet adoption, volunteering, and advocating in your community.

Find an animal shelter or rescue group near you today: 

Pets who found their people

These pets show that it’s always possible to find love or get a second chance, even if it takes an epic journey to find it.

Smiling person sitting down while on a hike with a dog

Sponsor a homeless pet

Sponsorship gifts provide essential lifesaving care to pets waiting to find a home of their own.

Sponsor a Pet

Consider giving the Fresh Start Care Package to give homeless pets the healing and attention they need to live their best lives.

Who we are

Over the course of 10 days and 435 miles, an unbreakable bond is forged between pro adventure racer Michael Light (Mark Wahlberg) and a scrappy street dog companion dubbed Arthur.

Based on an incredible true story, Arthur the King follows Light, desperate for one last chance to win, as he convinces a sponsor to back him and a team of athletes (Simu Liu, Nathalie Emmanuel, and Ali Suliman) for the Adventure Racing World Championship in the Dominican Republic. As the team is pushed to their outer limits of endurance in the race, Arthur redefines what victory, loyalty, and friendship truly mean.

Arthur the King is in theaters everywhere starting March 15.

Best Friends Animal Society is the leading animal welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in America’s shelters by 2025. Founded in 1984, Best Friends is a pioneer in the no-kill movement and has helped reduce the number of animals killed in shelters from an estimated 17 million per year to around 378,000 in 2022.

Best Friends runs lifesaving programs across the country, as well as the nation’s largest no-kill animal sanctuary. Collaborating with a network of thousands of animal welfare and shelter partners, and community members nationwide, Best Friends is working to Save Them All. For more information, visit bestfriends.org.

Let’s be friends!

Connect with us on social media to stay in the loop about the lifesaving progress we’re making together. 