First Ever Reality Series about Rescue Shelter Premieres on Nat Geo Wild

June 4, 2015 - The N. American premiere of the first ever reality series about a rescue shelter, Give Me Shelter, is this Saturday, June 6, from 7pm to 9pm on Nat Geo Wild. The first four episodes will be shown back to back to celebrate the launch of the series.

"Give Me Shelter" is a 13 x 30 series about life at Pet Helpers, a rescue shelter in Charleston, SC. The series is produced by Bruce Frigeri and Jessie Anderson-Berens, with Anderson-Berens directing all 13 episodes. "Give Me Shelter" is already a hit in several major international territories, including the UK. "We were always convinced that there was an audience for this kind of authentic, heartfelt, reality programming," said Frigeri. "Our popularity in the UK only reinforces this point and now we get a chance to really make a statement here in the U.S. too. And kudos to Nat Geo Wild for stepping up to the plate for this kind of programming," Frigeri added.

Frigeri and Anderson-Berens met during the production of "Rescue Vet," a series about emergency animal medicine. When the series was well received internationally, the duo knew they were onto something. "It was more than a little frustrating that "Rescue Vet" was being appreciated by international audiences but we couldn't get it on the air here in the States," said Anderson-Berens. "But we trusted our instincts and now good things have happened."

When the producing team decided to explore the possibility of a follow up show about rescue shelters, things took off very quickly. "What we discovered is that animal welfare is always exciting, ever changing, and always dramatic. Then when you factor in how people at these facilities do some of the most honorable, selfless work you will ever see, it just makes for fantastic TV," said Frigeri.

With Charleston resident Anderson-Berens as the point person, they secured the cooperation of one of Charleston's best known shelter facilities; Pet Helpers. Once that was done, the team set about producing the first two episodes, which Frigeri used to secure deals in over 112 countries, and eventually here in the USA on National Geographic Wild. The series will air every Saturday on Nat Geo Wild at 7:30 and 8:00pm moving forward.Check your local listings for exact times and channel location.