Kristin Davis and Shawn Johnson Join the World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest as Celebrity Judges

Kristin Davis and Shawn Johnson join the World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest

Two famous celebrities, Kristin Davis and Shawn Johnson, have recently signed on as celebrity judges for the prestigious 2025 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest, presented by the PEDIGREE® brand. With a shared love for animals, these two prominent figures are set to assist PEOPLE and PEDIGREE® in selecting the winner of this heartwarming canine competition.

The announcement of Davis and Johnson’s participation in the contest comes as a delightful surprise to fans of both the And Just Like That… star and the Olympic gold medalist. Johnson expressed her excitement by sharing, “Animal adoption means so much to our family. We recently brought home our second golden retriever, Oakley, to join Nash, and now we can’t imagine life without him!” This heartfelt sentiment underscores the importance of rescue dogs in their lives.

On August 14th, the top ten finalists of the contest will be unveiled, kicking off the voting phase. From mid-August to mid-September, the public will have the opportunity to cast their votes for the cutest rescue dog of the year on people.com/rescuedogcontest. The three dogs with the highest number of votes will advance to the final judging round, where Davis, Johnson, PEOPLE editors, and representatives from PEDIGREE® will weigh in to determine the grand prize winner.

The lucky winner chosen by the esteemed panel of judges can look forward to a host of exciting prizes, including a feature in PEOPLE magazine and on People.com, a custom photo shoot, a year’s supply of PEDIGREE® dog food, and a $1,000 donation to the pet rescue organisation of their choice. These rewards serve as a testament to the contest’s commitment to celebrating and supporting rescue dogs around the world.

Last year’s winner, Margot, a charming pit bull and American bulldog mix, captured hearts with her unique appearance and unwavering loyalty. With Davis and Johnson’s shared passion for animal welfare, they are well-equipped to assess this year’s contenders and determine the most deserving champion. Davis, an advocate for rescued animals, emphasised the importance of adoption and support for rescue organisations in a statement to PEOPLE following her adoption of Chewy from Muddy Paws Rescue.

In a similar vein, Johnson and her husband, Andrew East, welcomed a golden retriever puppy named Oakley into their family earlier this year from Wags & Walks in Nashville. Their decision to adopt Oakley reflects their belief in providing a loving forever home to shelter animals. With their own experiences of animal adoption, Davis and Johnson bring a personal touch to their roles as judges in the 2025 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest.

As patrons of animal welfare causes, Davis supports The Orphans’ Project at The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya, while Johnson actively promotes rescue dog adoption. Their involvement in the contest not only showcases their commitment to animal advocacy but also sheds light on the importance of giving rescued animals a second chance at a loving home.

For more information on the 2025 PEOPLE’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest Presented by the PEDIGREE® brand, visit people.com/rescuedogcontest. Stay tuned for updates on the competition and join us in celebrating the remarkable bond between humans and their beloved rescue dogs.