Mark Wahlberg Raises Awareness About Pet Adoption Alongside His “Arthur the King” Canine Costar: Watch

The PSA was released in collaboration with Lionsgate and the Best Friends Animal Society

Mark Wahlberg is looking out for dogs and cats across the nation.

The actor, 52, stars in a new PSA, in which he and his Arthur the King canine costar raise awareness about the importance of pet adoption.

Released in collaboration with Lionsgate, which is distributing the upcoming film, and the Best Friends Animal Society, the clip kicks off with Wahlberg sitting beside his furry friend, as he states, "There are dogs and cats in shelters all across the country hoping to find their very own people."

Highlighting how the animals "have an amazing ability to be an amazing friend," just like Arthur, the father of four continues, "All they need is someone like you to show them the way home."

"Best Friends Animal Society is working to make sure that every dog and cat in America has a chance to find a loving home of their very own," adds Wahlberg. "When you adopt your next pet from a shelter, or a rescue group, you are helping to save the lives of pets like Arthur and so many others."

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Related: Mark Wahlberg Bonds with a Stray Dog Under Extreme Circumstances in Arthur the King Trailer (Exclusive)

The Best Friends Animal Society is a welfare organization working to end the killing of dogs and cats in shelters across the United States by 2025.

According to data shared by the group, 4.4 million pets recently entered the 3,943 shelters scattered across the nation.

And while 56.6% of shelters are no-kill — including all those found in Delaware, New Hampshire and Vermont — 1,000 dogs and cats are still killed in shelters every day.

Aid can be provided to animals in shelters by choosing to adopt over purchasing from a breeder or store, the Best Friends Animal Society said, as well as by volunteering and donating to rescue causes.

Arthur the King is based on Swedish extreme athlete and author Mikael Lindnord's 2016 book Arthur: The Dog Who Crossed The Jungle To Find A Home.

The film stars Wahlberg as Lindnord (named Michael Light in the film), who meets his four-legged companion Arthur while taking part in an adventure racing competition.

In real life, the film's subject Lindnord spent six years living with Arthur after he met the dog during a 2014 championship adventure race in Ecuador, according to a 2016 ESPN story on the pair.

In 2020, Lindnord announced Arthur's death through an Instagram post, writing that the dog's "life was bigger than life itself and I still see and hear you everywhere in the house."

Arthur the King releases in theaters on March 15.

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