No, it isn’t the Westminster Kennel Club dog show. It may look a little like it, but this isn’t the dog show you’re likely used to seeing. This is the “2022 American Rescue Dog Show,” and while it may in some respects resemble that annual event attended by a who’s who of dogdom, it’s different — in a very important way.
Like Westminster, this show features dogs competing in various categories, whose participants are winnowed down until one remains: the best dog in the show. And, like Westminster, these dogs are showing off their heritage. But unlike Westminster, the lineage isn’t what matters.
The heritage these dogs share, as you might guess from the show’s title: They are all rescues. Sure, some of them are purebred. Some competitors were even invited because of their breed. But not because of their pedigree. Because they’re all adopted.
And now, the Best In Show has gotten even better, because ABC has announced that “The American Rescue Dog Show” has added Paula Abdul, Leslie Jordan and Yvette Nicole Brown as celebrity “ex-paw-t” judges. Rob Riggle and Joe Tessitore host the competition special, with ESPN’s Monica McNutt as sideline correspondent.
For each winning dog in the seven categories, a $10,000 donation will be made by Petco Love to a local animal welfare organization. Each category winner will compete for the title of best in rescue, which will culminate in a $100,000 donation.
“During these challenging times, animals have never had such an important impact on our wellbeing,” said “American Rescue Dog Show” creator and Executive Producer Michael Levitt. “Now more than ever, it’s time to give rescue dogs their moment in the spotlight. The cuteness overload on this show is going to be off the charts and I can’t wait to show America just how special rescue dogs are and the profound ways they enhance our lives when we make them part of our family.”
“The American Rescue Dog Show” airs on May 25, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
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