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Rescue Pups Shine: Top 3 Finalists Named!
30 Sep
Summary
- Three adorable rescue dogs are the finalists in a major contest.
- A therapy dog, a blind stray, and an emaciated stray made the top three.
- The grand prize winner will be announced on October 19, 2026.
The 2026 PEOPLE's World's Cutest Rescue Dog Contest has revealed its top three contenders: Bean, Tiberius, and Champ. These finalists were chosen from ten candidates based on a widespread voting period that concluded on September 28, 2026.
The three dogs moving forward each have inspiring rescue narratives. Champ, a therapy dog, was rescued from the streets of Texas with a severe leg injury requiring amputation. Tiberius, originally a blind stray found wandering in Philadelphia, learned to navigate with his new family.
Bean, a pug rescued as an emaciated stray in Nogales, Mexico, is now healthy and sociable. Celebrity judges, including The Dogist and Dolores Catania, will now evaluate these top three.
CBS Mornings is scheduled to announce the grand prize winner on October 19, 2026. The winner will receive a feature in PEOPLE Magazine, a year's supply of dog food, and a donation to an animal rescue organization.
