The 2025 Pedigree Foundation Rescue Dog of the Year is Relic, a German Shepherd from Oakland, California, who is six years old. He is the ideal illustration of how adoption and fostering can work, having gone from being a problematic shelter dog to a cherished family member.
Relic’s Journey from Shelter to Home
Relic Rescue Dog of the Year showed signs of extreme stress when he arrived at the East Bay SPCA in Oakland, California. He reacts strongly to both people and other animals. Being a large breed dog, his chances of being adopted were uncertain. The personnel at the shelter understood that he required continuous education, behavioral support, and compassion.
He was given a customized care plan that made sure he got the direction and care he needed. The shelter actively looked for a foster family for Relic because they believed she would flourish in a home setting
A Family Shares Their Love
A local couple had begun fostering cats while they were still in mourning over the death of their cat. Without making a formal adoption commitment, they wished to assist animals in need. They volunteered to foster Relic after learning about his tale.
Personalized education, behavioral support, and frequent check-ins helped Relic start to make great strides. Over time, his foster family realized that their home would be incomplete without him. They legally adopted him, giving him the permanent home he so richly deserved.
Relic’s New Life
Now, Relic enjoys a joyful and fulfilling life. His daily activities include:
- Playing with his favorite toys
- Chasing lizards in the backyard
- Joining his dad’s weekly guitar jam sessions
He has also made a best friend with a neighbor’s dog, and the two enjoy regular walks together. His family describes him as a source of happiness and love.
The Importance of Fostering
Relic’s tale emphasizes how important fostering is to a dog’s search for a forever home. According to the Pedigree Foundation, cultivating:
- aids shelters in capacity management
- lowers the stress levels of dogs
- socializes dogs in a household setting to get them ready for adoption.
The Pedigree Foundation awarded the East Bay SPCA a $15,000 donation in August 2023.. This funding supported behavioral training, directly helping dogs like Relic find loving homes.
A Particular Festivity
Pedigree has made a limited-edition plush dog in Relic’s image as a tribute. It costs $25 at the Dogs Rule store, and a percentage of the sales will go toward funding grants for rescue and shelter groups.
Relic’s story serves as evidence that any dog can be given a second chance with the correct attention, training, and a caring home.
Source: USA Today
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