First impressions are important for everyone. But for Crinolin a good first impression meant the difference between life and death. She was rescued along with 80 other dogs living in deplorable hoarding conditions. After groomers spent hours removing hardened chunks of fur and washing off layers of filth she was transformed from a dirty dog to a pretty pooch, and her lovable personality quickly caught the eye of her forever family.
Crinolin’s fairy tale continued when she was named America’s Top Shelter Dog Makeover in last year’s Dirty Dogs Contest. Organized by Wahl and GreaterGood.org, the Dirty Dogs Contest, now in its eighth year, donates funds and grooming supplies to rescues and shelters nationwide so thousands of dogs can have a fairy tale ending like Crinolin’s.
“Millions of dogs enter shelters every year, and the unfortunate reality is that less than half are getting the grooming they so desperately need,” said Steven Yde, division vice president for Wahl. “These deserving animals are being perceived as ‘damaged goods’ just because of their appearance. It’s our hope these makeover images and stories will inspire people to either adopt a dog in need, or reach out to local shelters to see how they can help.”
Since 2012, Wahl’s pet shampoo donations have helped rescues and shelters nationwide transform more than 130,000 dogs and get them ready for adoption. Hundreds of these incredible makeovers have been captured through the Dirty Dogs Before & After Photo Gallery where visitors can see what each dog looked like when they arrived at the shelter or rescue, and how they transformed once 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.
To promote the gallery and help get the dogs adopted, Wahl has launched the eighth annual Dirty Dogs Contest featuring 10 of the most dramatic transformations from the gallery. 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. The Dirty Dogs Contest runs from August 6 – 19, 2019.
Visit the Dirty Dogs Before & After Photo Gallery to see all the amazing makeovers, and vote for your favorite done-over dog!
