10 Of The Most Dramatic Doggy Makeovers You’ve Ever Seen

6–8 million pets end up in shelters each year, and half probably won’t be adopted. The worst part? The cause is completely avoidable.

That’s right. It has nothing to do with breed, personality or age. It has to do with their grooming.

That’s why The Animal Rescue Site’s friends at Wahl and GreaterGood.org started the Dirty Dogs Contest – to combat the animal shelter stigma and prove that beneath every overgrown coat is a loving, adoptable family member.

The team organized professional grooming and photography training sessions at 150 shelters around the country, and asked participating volunteers to upload photos of their most impressive makeovers to a Dirty Dogs Before & After Gallery. Hundreds were submitted, and the ten finalists are below. (Can’t stand the cuteness? Click a doggie before & after image to go vote!)