Hallmark Goes to the Dogs with Airing of Special Country Music Hall of Fame Theater-Taped Benefit Concert

Easton Corbin, Hunter Hayes and Lee Brice

Dogs, if you're listening: Hunter Hayes and his friends want to make you feel wanted. Really. There's a rumor going 'round that loving you is fun. (And if you don't have a pedigree - don't worry - that won't stop Pedigree from being a sponsor of the show). -MC/TCC

Hallmark Channel and PEDIGREE Foundation teamed up for a television special to help the millions of shelter and rescue dogs across the country find loving homes. The Love of Dogs Benefit Concert will air October 21st on Hallmark Channel at 9:00 CST. The concert special (taped on October 10th) will feature country artists Lee Brice, Hunter Hayes and Easton Corbin from the Country Music Hall of Fame CMA Theater. Rising country artist Jillian Cardarelli performed during the Sponsor Reception prior to the show taping while Hallmark Channel's own Larissa Wohl served as emcee for the evening.

The television special will help raise much needed grant funds for PEDIGREE Foundation as part of Hallmark Channel's Adoption Ever After initiative. The initiative has helped over 40,000 pets find their forever homes. With estimated totals from the two-day event, that also included a golf tournament, at $325,000, PEDIGREE Foundation and Hallmark Channel are hoping to raise even more funds through tonight's airing with the Text to Donate option. Viewers can make a donation by texting "Dogs Rule" to 615-392-1626 or visit their website at www.PEDIGREEFoundation.org. See more photos here.

Hallmark Channel's Adoption Ever After works in collaboration with the country's leading animal rescue and welfare organizations, activists, distribution and advertising partners, and celebrity influencers, Hallmark Channel's Adoption Ever After aims to dismantle common misconceptions about shelter animals, provide resources, inspire the public to adopt, and ultimately create a future where every pet has a loving home. The initiative shines a spotlight on the countless lovable pets in our nations shelters through annual on-air programming specials like Kitten Bowl, Cat Bowl, Hero Dog Awards, and American Rescue Dog Show, as well as strategic partnerships, consumer marketing campaigns, public service announcements, and grassroots efforts.

"We were honored to partner with Hallmark Channel and these incredible country artists to do this television special that we know will bring much needed awareness to the millions of dogs that end up in shelters every year," said Deb Fair, Executive Director of PEDIGREE Foundation. "Our mission is to support shelters and rescue organizations across the nation - including those in your backyard - to make it a little easier for them to help these dogs find loving homes."

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