5th Annual · October 2026 · #RescueDogMonth
October Is Rescue Dog Month
Join Us in Supporting Rescue Dogs and the Important Work of Animal Rescue Organizations
At a glance
Rescue Dog Month is Rescue Dog Wines' annual October campaign celebrating rescue dogs and the organizations that save them. Held every year since 2022, it runs alongside national Adopt a Shelter Dog Month and invites everyone to adopt, foster, volunteer, or give to a rescue near them.
Blair Lott · June 17, 2026 · Updated September 18, 2026
This October, Rescue Dog Wines is celebrating our yearly campaign— Rescue Dog Month. Throughout the month, we’ll be highlighting the importance of dog rescue organizations and pet adoption. We hope you’ll join us in raising awareness of this important cause.
Key facts
- When
- October 1–31, every year
- First held
- October 2022 · 2026 is the 5th Annual
- Organized by
- Rescue Dog Wines, Lodi, California
- Hashtag
- #RescueDogMonth
- Our commitment
- 50% of profits support animal rescue
- Rescues supported
- Over 200 organizations
- Founded
- 2017, by Blair and Laura Lott
Why Rescue Dog Month?
Animal rescues are critically important social service organizations and they need support. In 2025 alone, 5.8 million dogs and cats entered U.S. shelters and rescues—2.8 million of them dogs (Shelter Animals Count, 2025 Annual Data Report). These animals end up in shelters where they may not receive the care they need and are often euthanized due to lack of space or resources. We believe empathy grows from use: care for animals reminds us of our duty to care for our fellow human beings.
How Can I Help Rescue Dogs in My Area?
Rescue organizations play a vital role in saving neglected animals’ lives by providing food, shelter, medical care, and love to animals in need. Rescues also use their limited resources to find permanent homes where animals can live happy and fulfilling lives. But these rescues struggle. Animal rescue organizations are chronically underfunded, understaffed, and overworked. They need us to get involved. You can make any size commitment to help animal rescue organizations.
Foster or adopt a dog.
Donate your time.
Donate money directly.
Buy Rescue Dog Wines.
We are here on Earth to help others. What the others are here for, I don’t know.
Why We Support Rescue Dogs
When Blair and Laura Lott cofounded Rescue Dog Wines in 2017 to pursue their dream of making quality wine through sustainable practices, they purchased a vineyard in Acampo, CA and hoped to set aside part of that land to help some rescue and foster dogs live their own dreams. They couldn’t stop at helping some dogs, so Rescue Dog Wines was born.
If you have ever loved a pet, then you know the value of empathy for animals. Animals we don’t even know bring as much joy to our social media feeds as our family members and friends.
Animals are part of our society and they need us.
From the Rescue Dog community
Rescue Dog Month is about the dogs and the people who save them. Here is what is happening in our community right now.
Adoptable dogs
See all adoptable dogsFeatured rescue partners
Browse all 200+ rescue partnersRead more rescue storiesShare your rescue dog's storyFind dog-friendly places near youJoin The Pack
The rescues we support
Browse the organizations our wines help fund, and find one doing this work near you.
Browse our rescue partner directoryQuestions about Rescue Dog Month
What is Rescue Dog Month?
Rescue Dog Month is Rescue Dog Wines' annual October campaign celebrating rescue dogs and the people who save them. We started it in 2022 to raise awareness of animal rescue organizations, encourage adoption and fostering, and invite everyone to help a rescue near them. It runs alongside national Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.
When is Rescue Dog Month?
Every October, from the 1st through the 31st. 2026 marks our 5th annual Rescue Dog Month — first held in October 2022. Throughout the month we highlight rescue organizations, share adoption stories, and point people toward simple ways to help, whether that means adopting, fostering, volunteering, or giving to a local rescue.
Is Rescue Dog Month the same as Adopt a Shelter Dog Month?
Not quite. Adopt a Shelter Dog Month is the ASPCA's national October observance, and American Humane marks October as Adopt-a-Dog Month. Rescue Dog Month is our own campaign, held at the same time and in the same spirit. We focus on the rescue organizations themselves, which need volunteers, fosters, and funding all year long.
How can I help rescue dogs in my area?
Start with whatever you can give. Fostering or adopting helps most, because it opens a space for the next dog. If that isn't possible, volunteer a few hours, donate directly to a local rescue, or share adoptable dogs with your friends. Rescues are chronically short on people and money, so every size of commitment counts.
How does buying Rescue Dog Wines help rescue dogs?
Rescue Dog Wines gives 50% of its profits to animal rescue organizations. So far we have supported over 200 rescues across the country, through donations and support for their fundraising events. When you choose our wines, half of what we earn goes to the people doing the daily work of saving dogs.
How do I find a dog rescue near me?
Our rescue partner directory lists the organizations we support across the country, and you can browse adoptable dogs from rescues nationwide. If you don't see a group near you, a quick search for your city plus "dog rescue" will usually surface good local options.
How can my rescue partner with Rescue Dog Wines?
We love hearing from rescues. If your organization works in animal rescue, send us a donation request and tell us about your work and your upcoming events. Rescues can also join our ambassador program and earn commission when supporters buy wine through their link.
Rescue stories in your inbox
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So this October, we hope you will join us in recognizing, celebrating, and supporting #RescueDogMonth. Commit some time or donate to your favorite local animal rescue—together we can make a difference.