NEED TO KNOW
Dolores Catania will help judge the 2026 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest alongside PEOPLE editors and other animal lovers
The contest highlights rescue dogs and awards the winner with a PEOPLE feature, a photo shoot, and a donation to a rescue organization
Public voting for the top 10 finalists begins Aug. 17 and runs through Sept. 28 on people.com/rescuedogcontest
Dolores Catania is adding her glamour, kindness, and deep love for shelter animals to the 2026 PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Presented by the PEDIGREE® brand
The TraitorsandReal Housewives of New Jersey reality star has joined the adorable contest as a celebrity judge
Advertisement
Catania is a natural fit for the contest, which has been spotlighting amazing rescue canines for nine years, as a devoted pet parent and one of Bravo’s most outspoken animal adoption advocates. She regularly highlights shelter animals looking for homes on her social media and is a proud owner of numerous rescue pets, including four precious pooches
“Rescue animals have an incredible way of reminding us that love, resilience, and second chances can change a life. Every pet deserves a safe, loving home, and I’m honored to support an initiative that shines a light on the importance of adoption. I’m so excited to serve as a guest judge for PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog contest and celebrate these amazing dogs while helping raise awareness for rescue organizations and the families who open their hearts to them,” Catania tells PEOPLE about her love for pet rescue.
On Aug. 17, the 2026 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest will announce its ten fluffy finalists, and public voting will begin. From Aug. 17 through Sept. 28, the general public can vote for the canine finalist they think deserves the cutest crown once a day at people.com/rescuedogcontest.The three dogs with the most votes at the end of the voting period on Sept. 28 will move on to the judging round, where Catania, The Dogist’s Elias Weiss Friedman, PEOPLE editors, and members of the PEDIGREE® brand will choose the grand prize winner.
The winning pup will receive a PEOPLE feature — in the magazine and on People.com — a custom photo shoot, a year’s supply of dog food from the PEDIGREE® brand, and a $1,000 donation to the pet rescue organization of the winner’s choice.In 2025, Bastian, a rat terrier mix rescued from the floodwaters of Hurricane Florence in the Carolinas in 2018 and then adopted from the Burlington County Animal Alliance of New Jersey, won the last World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest. Today, Bastian is an adventure-loving dog who enjoys boat rides, new adventures, and communicating with his loved ones using over 100 talking buttons.
Advertisement
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories
To learn more about the 2026 PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Presented by the PEDIGREE® brand, visit people.com/rescuedogcontest
Read the original article on People
