By Kelsey Knott • Photos By Matt Johnson and Courtesy EthanAlmighty Movie
“It was never just to get his name on something.” It’s been a major year for Louisville’s beloved boy, Ethan! In March, Ethan’s Law passed in Kentucky and became law in July, making the intentional torture of a cat or dog a first-offense class D felony. Fast forward to now, and filmmakers prepare to make Ethan’s story a movie.
Jeff Callaway, Ethan’s owner, was always involved in animal rescue. Even when they adopted Ethan, they had five dogs and five cats at home. “It wasn’t something we talked about–it was just something we did because we knew these animals needed help. Ethan’s story gained a large following of people who had a personal connection with him even though they never met him. We felt a responsibility to give back to all the people that had helped and supported him while he was recovering.” Jeff continued updating social media daily with Ethan’s incredible progress, thinking the hype would eventually die down. It didn’t. “We were so happy to see that he could make a difference… We just wanted to make sure that before he passed away, he knew someone cared about him.” Now, Callaway states that whether recognized or not, Ethan always puts a smile on people’s faces. Ethan won the American Humane Shelter Dog of the Year in 2022 before eventually being named the overall Hero Dog of the Year at the Hero Dog Awards, where he competed against the other category winners!
Callaway reminds us that being a voice for the voiceless is crucial: “An animal can’t show up to court and testify on its behalf. We’ve got to be there to stand up for them. And in the short run, you’re helping animals and you’re putting criminals away.” While Louisville is no exception to crowded shelters where digressions and behavior issues can occur, Callaway empathizes with how difficult it must be for these animals to be expected to bring their best selves to the table. “There’s not any animal out there in a shelter by choice. Anything you can do–help volunteer, spread the word on social media, report abuse, foster, or ultimately adopt… Ethan’s name is known only because he lives. Had he not made it, people would have talked about him for a bit and then they would have forgotten. That’s part of why it’s so important to do what we’re doing with the law and the court–to give all those other animals a name and make sure their stories get told, whether they survive or they don’t.”
While there’s much excitement for Ethan’s Law passing, the prevalence of the issue and correct prosecution and adjudication reminds Callaway of the work that’s still to be done. Callaway notes: “Over 90 percent of people that commit a violent crime against another person started with an animal… It was a good tie-in to tell people in Frankfort that even if you don’t want to vote for this ‘animal bill,’ vote for it because it’s going to make your community safer. ” Callaway and Ethan have traveled to D.C. to work with Congress on some better federal legislation. “You never know what you may have prevented in the future, but it’s still important to do. ”
Because paying forward kindness has always been at the heart of their mission, the movie will focus on how one random act of kindness changed the world. “Ethan’s storyis all about kindness, even though it didn’t start that way.You can’t imagine what he had to go through in the monthsbefore, but kindness is what saved him. When we first saw him dumped in a parking lot, to a law changed in Kentucky with his name on it, to a movie about how kindness can change people’s lives. The whole thing is pretty cool, and sometimes very surreal.” The film will be filmed at the beginning of 2025 and released next fall.
And the kindness doesn’t stop there. Callaway started a nonprofit, EthanAlmighty’s Blessings, to remove barriers for animal rescuers, providing free spay and neuter, microchipping and rabies shots, and paying vet bills. “Just in the last six months, we’ve helped a little over 132 animals.” Knowing that animals won’t be euthanized or surrendered due to finances is a major win. Callaway stays inspired by words from those who claim Ethan’s story has helped them battle their own struggles.
What’s next for EthanAlmighty? Jeff hopes to cultivate a museum exhibit in Louisville so that Ethan’s story can exist among the other major game-changers in the city. Furthermore, Ethan and Jeff are the grand marshalls of the Bardstown Christmas parade. Come join and celebrate their hard work! Visit ethanalmighty.com, follow on Instagram and Facebook, and “please do something kind for someone today.”
Comments