Champ’s life changed from surviving with a serious leg injury on the streets of Texas to visiting schools, airports and assisted living facilities as a therapy dog. Now 10 years old and living with an amputation, he is one of 10 finalists competing for public votes in a national rescue-dog contest.
Thousands of entries were narrowed to 10 dogs in the 2026 PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest, presented by the PEDIGREE brand. The finalists were announced and featured by CBS Mornings on Aug. 19.
Champ is joined by Sundance, also known as Sunny; Ranger; Maple; Bean; Tiberius; Uzo; Poppy; Fiona; and Gizmo. Their documented histories include abandonment, injury, neglect and rescue from a hoarding situation, while their current lives range from therapy work to hiking and neighborhood socializing.
The 10 rescue dog finalists
Sunny is a 7-year-old Pekingese and Tibetan spaniel mix who was found abandoned in a park. His family describes the adopted dog as “a ray of light to our lives every single day.”
Ranger is a 7-year-old dog from Minnesota. His tongue protrudes because he is missing his bottom teeth, giving him a distinguishing feature among the finalists.
Maple, 9, caught the attention of her pet parents through what they called her “personality and eager spirit.” No further details about her rescue history were disclosed.
Bean is a 6-year-old rescue pug who enjoys spending time around cats, kittens, babies and toddlers. That comfort around different companions is the quality highlighted in his finalist profile.
Tiberius, 8, was found wandering Philadelphia as a blind stray. With support from his family and community, he learned to follow commands and find his way through his new neighborhood.
Champ, 10, had a severe leg injury when he was rescued from the streets of Texas. The injury led to an amputation, but he later became a therapy dog and now makes regular visits to public and care settings.
Uzo is an 8-year-old dog rescued from a hoarding situation. His current activities include hiking, kayaking and learning new tricks.
Poppy, 6, reportedly house-trained herself within days. She is also described as providing a calm, supportive presence in her home.
Fiona is a 3-year-old dog whose welcoming personality has made her well known in her Brooklyn neighborhood, according to her owner.
Gizmo, the youngest finalist at 1, was discarded by a breeder after being kept in a cage for 10 months. He has since become affectionate in his new life.
How voting and final judging work
Members of the public may vote once per day through Sept. 28, 2026. An official contest update confirms the voting window, advancement process and prize package. The three dogs receiving the most public votes will move into the judging round. Public voting therefore decides which finalists advance, while the judging panel selects the grand-prize winner from those three dogs.
The panel includes Elias Weiss Friedman of The Dogist, Dolores Catania, and CBS Mornings hosts Gayle King, Nate Burleson and Vladimir Duthiers. Representatives from PEOPLE and PEDIGREE are also part of the panel. The winner is scheduled to be announced Oct. 19 on CBS Mornings. No winner had been selected when the finalists were announced.
The grand-prize dog will receive a PEOPLE magazine photo shoot and feature along with a year’s supply of PEDIGREE dog food. A rescue organization selected by the winner will receive a $1,000 donation, leaving both the title and the beneficiary unresolved until voting and judging are complete. What would you do if your dog were in this situation? Share your thoughts in the comments.
By Sarah Mitchell — 8 years as a local-news reporter covering animal welfare, shelters, neighborhood disputes, and public-safety pet stories.
