10 Shelter Dog Finalists In Dirty Dogs Contest Beg For Your Vote

We (The Animal Rescue Site by GreaterGood) have partnered with Greater Good Charities and Wahl Pets again to showcase some of the best shelter dog makeovers across the country.

The Dirty Dogs Contest is celebrating 12 years and the transformations are breathtaking. Many dogs arrive matted, underweight, and covered in dirt. It is amazing what a warm bath, grooming session, and love can do.

According to Wahl Pets, “Three out of four animals entering shelters today are in need of grooming.”

Shelters and rescues submitted before and after photos of their rescue dogs and we had the difficult task of narrowing it down to 10, but we did it.

The 10 finalists are all in the running for the grand prize of $10,000 (second place receives $3,000 and third place earns $2,000) for their shelter or rescue. The winner will be decided by your votes, so check out the finalists below and don’t forget to vote.

Dirty Dog Contest Finalists

You can vote once a day through October 31st for your favorite. Each dog is already a winner but would like to give back to the shelter or rescue that gave them a second chance. Some have already found homes and others are patiently waiting for their person.

Jamie-Animal Aid

Jamie was rescued from a serious hoarding and neglect situation in Oakland Park, FL. After receiving a much-needed grooming and bath, she felt and looked like a brand-new dog. Jamie is incredibly grateful and happy to be a clean, thriving puppy, free of mats and grime. With her incredible makeover complete, Jamie is now ready for adoption and can’t wait to settle in with a loving family.

Fluffy-Lehigh Valley Humane Society

Fluffy was abandoned in an apartment in Allentown, PA, and discovered in deplorable condition. She was filthy and matted when the police brought her into the shelter. A full groom revealed her to be a beautiful one-eyed girl with a permanently outstretched tongue. Several weeks after arriving at the shelter, Fluffy was adopted by a loving family.

Luke – Second Chance Animal Sanctuaries

Luke was found wandering aimlessly without a home or identity in Tioga, PA. He was so dirty and matted, his face wasn’t visible. In fact, when he was finally bathed and groomed for the first time, he needed anesthesia to remove the mats on his legs and belly. This scruffy pup was transformed into the handsome gentleman he was meant to be. Thankfully, Luke now knows exactly where he belongs – with his loving forever family.

Homer Simpson- Nashville Humane Association

Homer was found under a house during construction in Nashville, TN, along with another adult dog and two puppies, all suffering from mange. Thanks to the care they got at the shelter, the ‘Simpson’ family is now healthy and furry. Although Homer is mature in age, he’s youthful in spirit, cherishes affection and wears a perpetual goofy smile. Homer, now Goose, is happy to report that he has found a family, and new canine sibling, to guide him through life’s adventures!

Scar-Valley Animal Center

Scar was spotted in a social media post about a severely scabies-infested dog by a Fresno, CA, area shelter staff member. Initially unrecognizable due to his condition, it was determined Scar was a small Pomeranian mix. Rescuers suspect he contracted a disease from previous living conditions, but after receiving medication and baths his rash healed. As his skin health improved, so did his demeanor — today Scar is a completely new dog.

Foxy-Marshfield Area Pet Shelter

Foxy was discovered living under a trailer park mobile home in Marshfield, WI. Humane officers contacted Foxy’s owners and persuaded them to surrender the pup to the shelter. As soon as she arrived, she was promptly pampered with a luxurious grooming and bath. A happy pup was revealed under all that matted and dirty fur, and it didn’t take long for her to find a forever home with a lovely couple and her new canine brother.

Mirage-Ingham County Animal Control & Shelter

Mirage arrived at her shelter in Mason, MI, as a severely matted little Shih Tzu. The shelter staff used fear-free grooming techniques to ensure Mirage’s experience was as stress-free as possible. And after shaving him down, they discovered an emaciated little guy with injuries to his eyes from the mats and burns on his feet from urine. Despite everything, he’s a happy pup who absolutely loves people. Not surprisingly, Mirage was quickly adopted and is happily living in his forever home.

Cookie-Kansas Humane Society

Cookie arrived at the shelter in Wichita, KS, as a stray with severe mats on his ears, legs and chest. With the help of an expert dog groomer, they removed around two pounds of fur, revealing his true beauty. He’s now thriving in his new home and living his best life.

Madeline-NYC Second Chance Rescue

Madeline was found as a stray in deplorable condition. She suffered from an extreme case of mange, with skin that appeared as though it had been singed off. Blood and pus oozed from her wounds, causing her significant pain. Rescuers from her shelter in Whitestone, NY, healed her wounds and provided her with love and care she had never known. Madeline now has her forever family, is living happily in the city and now goes by Milly.

Mattie-Mountain Humane

Mattie was found abandoned in a hotel parking lot in Hailey, ID. Her owner, a homeless woman, asked police to surrender her to the shelter in the hopes she would get better care. After being assessed by a medical team, it was discovered Mattie had more than 40 pounds of mats, and other health issues. But after a week of care, Mattie found her forever home and became a beloved companion, enjoying car rides, vacations and cuddles.

Animal shelters are overcrowded and in desperate need of donations and help. Vote daily for your favorite! The winners will be announced November 6.

If you’d like to help other dogs get similar transformations, click below!