Imagine going to a job interview, or on a first date, smelly and covered in dirt. That’s what it is like for millions of shelter pets across the world that are waiting to get adopted.
Giuseppe’s arrival at Española Humane in Espanola, New Mexico, USA, started out as a heartbreaking case of neglect, but ended as a testament to second chances. Five pounds of matted fur covered up a host of health issues and rendered Giuseppe unable to walk. Once groomed, however, the senior dog could finally get the dedicated medical care and foster support he needed.
Giuseppe is now living out his golden years in the comfort of a loving home. His dramatic transformation not only got him a new “leash” on life, but the title of America’s Top Shelter Dog Makeover and a $10,000 grant for the shelter that had taken him in.
The annual Dirty Dogs Contest, the 13th edition of which was held this year in May, is an effort from pet industry leaders Wahl and Greater Good Charities to demonstrate the power grooming can have on pet adoption.
Millions of dogs enter shelters across the world each year, including in India, the vast majority dirty and matted. Few get the grooming they need. For the past 13 years, it has been a mission for Wahl, a company based in Sterling, Illinois, that offers a full line of pet-grooming solutions to make grooming at home safe, easy, and enjoyable, to draw attention to this problem with the annual Dirty Dogs Contest.
Each year, Wahl donates grooming supplies to shelters nationwide, aiding in the transformation of dogs and preparing them for adoption. In turn, the shelters post hundreds of amazing transformation photos into the Dirty Dogs Contest gallery. Ten of the most dramatic makeovers from the gallery were selected to participate in the contest, and public votes determined the top three.
See: Take your pick: America’s 10 most amazing shelter dog makeovers
Española Humane, the rescue organization that saved Giuseppe, will receive a $10,000 grant, equivalent to about Rs840,000, to support its efforts to help stray and abandoned animals. Williamson County Animal Center in Franklin, Tennessee, the rescue that submitted second place winner Maddie, will receive a $3,000 grant, or about Rs250,000. Third-placed Pete won $2,000, or about Rs166,000, for Apollo Support and Rescue in Justin, Texas.
“Winning this grant is a game-changer for Española Humane, as it allows us to enhance our care for animals in several critical areas,” said Mattie Allen, the rescue’s director of communications. “The funds will enable us to provide essential medical treatment for dogs with severe health issues, much like Giuseppe. Additionally, we can now ensure that all our dogs receive regular grooming, which is crucial for their physical health and emotional well-being.”
Also see: From neglect to hope: Giuseppe, Maddie, Pete show what it takes
Allen said the grant would also support the organization’s Paws in the Pen programme, where inmate trainers learn grooming skills that help rescued dogs become more adoptable. “We are excited to expand our outreach efforts, educating the community on the importance of adopting shelter dogs and the comprehensive care they require,” he said.
Greater Good Charities is a 501(c)(3) global nonprofit that works to help people, pets, and the planet by mobilizing in response to need and amplifying the good. Greater Good Charities, with a four-star rating on Charity Navigator and a platinum seal on GuideStar, has invested more than $750 million in impact, including cash grants, in-kind supplies, and programmatic support, to charitable partners in 121 countries since 2007.
SOURCE: PR Newswire
