The new movie, "Benji - Off the Leash!", is sure to thrill audiences across the country this summer. Few realize, however, that seeing the movie can actually help increase the numbers of pets adopted from the nation's shelters.

Awareness of the new movie helps shelters substantially raise their adoption levels by branding all adoptable pets as Benji's Buddies. The more successful the movie, the more awareness generated in the media and among movie patrons. This translates into greater awareness of pets awaiting adoptions in animal shelters, which saves lives and reduces the numbers of puppy mill pets sold.

The Benji's Buddies program is managed and administered by the Benji's Buddies Foundation, a non-profit corporation formed specifically to utilize Benji-generated awareness for the purpose of helping shelters raise money for better facilities.

"Whenever this movie is talked about in the media, money comes into shelters and pets are adopted," said movie producer Joe Camp, who adopted the dog star from a Mississippi animal shelter. "During our search for Benji, adoptions went up wherever we went. After Benji's adoption in South Mississippi, that facility had the biggest month in its history, completely emptying the shelter."

Mulberry Square Productions, owner of all of the Benji copyrights and trademarks, along with Camp and his wife, Kathleen, owners of the dog who plays Benji, have jointly donated the use of the Benji trademarks and copyrights and the use of Benji herself for the purposes of accomplishing the mission of the foundation. Joe Camp is the creator of the character Benji, the writer/director/producer of all the Benji movies, and the chief executive officer of both Mulberry Square Productions and the Benji's Buddies Foundation.

Camp said he hopes the movie can build on the success of previous Benji movies, raise awareness levels and increase pet adoptions across America.

Benji's web site (www.benjiofftheleash.com). The movie is a fantastic way to teach children about backyard breeders. The movie revolves around Benji saving his mother, with the help of his pal Lizard Tongue, from a backyard breeder.