Wahl Donates Funds, Grooming Supplies to Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

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PHOTO GALLERY of final 10 HERE

According to the Chinese calendar, 2018 is the year of the dog, which makes the annual Dirty Dogs Campaign even more poetic. The brainchild of pet industry leaders Wahl and GreaterGood.org, the campaign, now in its seventh year, donates funds and grooming supplies to rescues and shelters nationwide in an effort to transform more than 20,000 dogs each year and better their chances at finding a home. Ten of these amazing makeovers have been chosen to demonstrate that a good bath can make the difference between life and death.

“Most dogs enter shelters wearing the effects of their harsh lives, making it difficult for adoptive families to see the lovable animal underneath the matted fur and dirt,” said Steven Yde, division vice president for Wahl. “And while rescue organizations work tirelessly, the sad truth is that less than half of these dogs are getting the grooming they need due to a lack of resources.”

Since 2012, Wahl’s pet shampoo donations have helped rescues and shelters nationwide transform more than 100,000 dogs and get them ready for adoption. Hundreds of these amazing makeovers have been captured through the Dirty Dogs Before & After Photo Gallery. What makes this gallery unique is that visitors can see what each dog looked like when they arrived at the shelter or rescue and how they looked after they were cleaned up. The site also allows visitors to search for adoptable dogs in their area, learn more about the dogs’ backgrounds and stories and share their favorites on social media. Pepper (pictured here) is one of the dogs in that gallery. She was left in an abandoned home and was rescued when neighbors spotted her hanging out the window next to an air conditioner crying for help. Left with no food or water, Pepper was in desperate need of medical attention and grooming. She went from horrific conditions to feeling like a million bucks and is now eager to find a family to love.

To promote the gallery and help get the dogs adopted, Wahl is also launching the seventh annual Dirty Dogs Contest. Ten of the most dramatic transformations from the gallery have been selected to participate in the contest. Public votes will determine the top three winners. The animal shelters and rescue groups affiliated with these transformations will receive monetary grants to further support their efforts. First place takes home $5,000, second place receives $2,000 and third place earns $1,000. See the photo gallery of the competing dogs’ before and after photos.

The Dirty Dogs Contest runs August 8-21, 2018. To vote for one of the shelters, visit the Wahl Pets Facebook Page. Winners will be announced August 22, 2018. In addition to shampoo, Wahl offers doggie deodorants and wipes.

“A first impression at the shelter is incredibly important for adoptions. Dirty, unkempt dogs will often get overlooked by potential adopters. The goal of the Dirty Dogs Before & After Gallery is to inspire people to volunteer their time grooming and bathing animals at their local shelter, or to donate much needed money and supplies,” said Noah Horton, director of Marketing and Development at GreaterGood.org. “It’s amazing the impact grooming can have on a dog’s appearance, health and overall quality of life. And for a shelter dog, it can mean the difference between sitting in the shelter and finding a forever home.”