Katherine Heigl - Heigl Helps Save Christmas Chihuahuas

Actress KATHERINE HEIGL has given 25 Chihuahuas a special early Christmas gift - their lives.

The pooches, all strays, were due to be put to sleep when the Knocked Up star learned of their plight and helped find them a new home.

According to People magazine, Heigl and her mother's Jason Debus Heigl Foundation donated $25,000 (£15,625) so the pets could be flown from Los Angeles to their new families in Boston, Massachusetts.

The dogs will be made available for adoption at the Humane Society for Greater Nashua and Salem Animal Rescue League of New Hampshire.

Humane Society director Karen Bill tells the publication, "All 25 would have been euthanized if we didn't take them. We're just so happy to be saving their lives."