Benji to the Rescue!

-Benji Finalists from Animal Shelters in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Gulfport, Mississippi are Ready to Save Lives as They Work Toward Taking on the Starring Role as the All-New Benji-

Phoenix, AZ - November 21, 2001 – Joe Camp, Benji’s creator, plans to change the fate of the 3-4 million dogs and cats on “Death Row” every year for crimes they didn’t commit. Abandoned by their owners, these lovable souls make wonderful pets and Camp has decided its time to do something.

In August, 2001, Camp initiated a search for the all-new Benji in animal shelters across the country and now it’s down to three finalists. Camp is in the process of introducing Benji to an entire new generation of parents and children and this time Benji is returning on a mission as a pup who will stand for something other than just economic bottom line by making a positive difference in the lives of children and homeless animals.

“The search has generated an enormous amount of positive exposure for the needs of animal shelters everywhere and the wonderful pets that can be found in these shelters,” Camp says. “There was never a better dog than the first Benji who was rescued from the Burbank Animal Shelter.”

Since the effort began on August 12th, the search for the new Benji and Camp's campaign for pet adoption has reached more than 40,000,000 people, appearing on over 150 network affiliate television stations, radio, and in newspapers, including the top 100 markets in the country (front page in Phoenix and Jackson, Mississippi newspapers). The story has appeared on CNN, AP wire news, Copley News Service, Entertainment Weekly, Los Angeles Daily News, E! Entertainment and has been covered by syndicated radio shows such as Radio Disney, Westwood One, Pet Talk America and Animal planet, and ABC’s Primetime Live began taping the story the week of November 12, 2001, as Camp retraced his recent travels to adopt the three finalists (pictured above). Once adopted, the three Benji finalists will enter what Camp’s wife refers to as Benji Boot Camp, an evaluation and preliminary training period of approximately two months, to determine which of the three will actually become the new Benji. During that period, the three pups will appear together across the country in the media, at adoption events, and at fund-raisers.

It all began when Camp needed a new Benji for a film to be produced in 2002… and when The American Humane Association reported that because the original Benji was rescued from an animal shelter, more than one million dogs have been adopted across the country. Joe Camp wants this to happen again. As Camp says, "To be at least partially responsible for so many animals being saved is one terrific feeling."

Camp plans to announce his final selection before Christmas, after which training will begin immediately as America’s new most huggable hero prepares for his starring role in Benji Returns – The Promise of Christmas.

Twenty-six additional shelter dogs of all sizes and breeds will also be named to appear in the new movie, one from each of 26 markets. These dogs will become local poster dogs in their hometowns for their shelters’ adoption efforts.

Benji’s Return was marked in September, 2001 by the premier of the Benji Video Library in retail outlets nationwide. The entire library - nineteen Benji titles in all - has been digitally mastered in stereo and surround sound and is available in VHS and DVD. The new book series, Benji Promise Books, will be published in 2002 for kids 3 to 8 years old, followed by the introduction of the Benji Wish Books for maturing readers aged 7 -12.

More than 71,000,000 people have watched Benji movies in thea ters, over 30,000,000 of them adults. All Benji movies grossed within the top 10% of box office grosses for their year of release, and more than one billion people have watched Benji movies and programs on television. Two of Benji's primetime specials have been nominated for Emmys.