Blue Cross announces partnership with DreamWorks Animation's DOG MAN

Blue Cross pets to star on ‘big screen’ near you as Dog Man seeks your help to find pawfect homes for rescue pets

If you're planning a family cinema trip to see the new movie DOG MAN (in cinemas 7 February), chances are you might leave wanting your very own heroic pet. 

Universal Pictures have teamed up with UK animal charity Blue Cross to find homes for their heroic pets. Pets who are currently looking for a home with the charity will feature on billboards in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, Southampton and Manchester city centers this week (3 February 2025) to coincide with the release of Dog Man in cinemas in a mission to find loving homes for heroic pets near you. Just think, with Valentine’s Day around the corner – you could find your pawfect match. 

The pet charity, which has seen a 29% increase in pets coming into its care over the last year, has rehoming centres across the UK which find new homes for dogs, cats, small animals and horses.

Could you give one of these superheros a new home?

Alyson Jones, Director of Rehoming and Fostering at Blue Cross, said: “We know pets are part of the family and they are our superheros in many ways.

“Not just dogs but cats, small animals, horses – they can all provide love and companionship and so much more to their owners.
“We’d urge anyone thinking of taking on a pet to choose rescue as we have so many looking for loving new homes and with Valentine’s Day coming up there’s never been a better time to find your pawfect match.”

Basil

Cockerpoo Basil has had a life-changing impact on his family and the many young people he helps as a support dog. Rehomed from Blue Cross in 2018, he is also a certified therapy dog.

Owner Charlotte Pope, who has various learning needs and health difficulties, says: “He helps me so much. I love taking him with me to places that make me feel anxious, like the hospital. And he’s there to provide support.” Life for the 18-year-old from Jersey with special needs was transformed when her family welcomed the cavapoo home six years ago.

Not only does Basil support Charlotte in an emotional and social way, but he also helps other youngsters with learning or behavioural challenges. For three years, he has been going to a higher education college specialising in learning disabilities, which Charlotte has just joined. Basil's important work has also taken him to a school for children with behavioural challenges and a residential home.

She continues: “I'm really proud of how far he's come from the beginning to now.”

Bleu

Seven-year-old greyhound ‘Bleu’ was rehomed from Blue Cross in Thirsk after she was admitted as a retired racing dog.
Amy Johnson, from Leeds, has multiple sclerosis (MS) and was struggling with her mental health and depression.

She said: “It got to the point that I was just like: ‘I can't do this anymore’. "And I just needed something to keep me getting up each day.” As well as transforming Amy’s mental health, ex-racer Bleu miraculously learnt to detect when her owner is on the cusp of an MS ‘attack’ and her muscles are failing her. Even before Amy knows it herself, Bleu will sense an oncoming attack and start pulling her home. She also helps to guide Amy when her optic neuritis becomes worse and she struggles to see.

Amy continued: “That first day I took her onto the beach, and her feet hit that sand, the joy on her face was just amazing. "And her smile… it literally brought tears to my eyes. "She is my world, 100 per cent my world.”

Read Bleu's story

If you think you could give an animal a new home visit bluecross.org.uk. You can also find out more about the fim, watch the trailer and book tickets here.