We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with acclaimed actors, animal advocates and pet parents Drew Barrymore and Dave Bautista to raise awareness and encourage support for dog adoption and fostering during this October’s Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

Throughout the month, Drew and Dave will post ASPCA adoptable dogs on their social media channels to help find them loving homes and will be calling on the public to adopt or foster in honor of Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. Alongside Drew and Dave, we are also promoting The Rescue Effect, a campaign that showcases the impact that adopting or fostering a pet can have on shelters nationwide by creating space for more animals in need.

Currently, shelters across the country are at capacity, with 3.2 million dogs entering animal shelters last year and only 2.2 million dogs adopted. With limited resources and too many animals in need, shelters are working overtime to find loving homes for the animals in their care including an increasing proportion of animals with greater medical and behavioral needs who stay longer in the shelter.

“We are thankful for the support of Drew Barrymore and Dave Bautista, who have proven to be compassionate ambassadors for dogs in shelters,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA CEO. “This Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we hope Drew and Dave’s efforts will inspire the public to adopt or foster a pet, making an impact that ripples throughout shelters nationwide while creating space for more dogs in need.”

Drew, an esteemed actress, talk show host and life-long supporter of animal welfare causes, is a pet mom to seven adopted animals, including a dog named Douglas, four cats, a bearded dragon, and a snake. In 2016, we honored Drew with the ASPCA Compassion Award, which recognizes noteworthy individuals in entertainment and the arts who have made outstanding contributions to animal welfare.

Dave, whose passions both personally and professionally have led him from a career in wrestling to acting and animal advocacy, is a well-known dog-lover who voices his support for pet adoption and animal protection. Dave is the proud pet parent of four adopted pit bulls and is a consistent champion for the breed.

“Every day, my rescue dogs Ollie, Maggie, Penny and Talulah, show me why all shelter pets deserve compassion, care and unconditional love. They’ve changed my life in the best way as much as I’ve changed theirs,” said Dave Bautista. “By choosing to adopt, I not only gave them second chances at life, but also helped create room at my local shelter for other rescue pets to find good, loving families. A positive future for shelter pets starts with someone like you, or me.”

Looking to join Dave and Drew’s mission this month by adopting a dog? Check out our adoptable dogs in New York City or Columbus, Ohio! Not in these areas? Check out your local shelter!

Not ready to commit to adoption just yet? Try fostering! You can still take part in The Rescue Effect by fostering dogs through the ASPCA in New York City or Columbus, Ohio, or through your local shelter.