Photo: Cynthia Lynn
Rescue dogs of all shapes, sizes, and ages are invited and encouraged to enter the 2022 contest for a chance to win exciting prizes — for the winning pup and their shelter! To enter your adopted canine, upload a photo of your pet toPeople.com/rescuedogcontest, and tell us how saving a dog has changed your life — and theirs. Don’t forget to recognize the shelter or rescue that helped match you with your canine companion in your submission. If your dog wins, their rescue wins too! Submissions are open from June 29 — August 10.
For more on PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.
This year’s grand prize winner of the World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest will receive:
Last year’s winner, Heaven — who’s part chow chow, Labrador, boxer, and Pekingese — triumphed over more than 10,000 other adorable rescues. Before her big win in 2021, Heaven was a stray in Kentucky who was rescued and transported from an overcrowded shelter to theStarfish Animal Rescue, where she met her owner Jackie Rakers.
jaclyn rakers
Initially afraid of “everything” — especially men and the outdoors — Heaven displayed “intense” anxiety when she and Rakers first met,the owner told PEOPLE. After adopting the dog, Rakers helped Heaven comfortably overcome her fears but taking the canine to parks and dog-friendly businesses. Gradually, Heaven became more outgoing and is now a beloved “social butterfly” in her St. Charles, Illinois, hometown. The pooch also brings smiles to her over 15,000 Instagram followers (@heaven_is_a_dog) each day.
To give your adopted dog the chance to join past champions like Heaven andLamb Chopin the World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest winners' circle, enter your pooch now atPeople.com/rescuedogcontest.
source: people.com
