Shelter dogs with special needs need love the most, but many spend their entire lives waiting to be adopted. Subaru and our retailers partner with shelters to help these dogs — who we lovingly call the “Underdogs” — find loving homes. This year, we celebrated our 5th annual National Make A Dog’s Day, which encourages everyone to do something special for their dog and consider adopting an Underdog from a shelter.
Since 2008, Subaru and our retailers have donated over $51 million to national and local organizations and impacted the lives of over 420,000 animals. You can help us spread the word and share your own Underdog by using the hashtag #MakeADogsDay on social media.
Subaru. More Than a Car Company.®
With plenty of efforts taking place year-round, contact your local Subaru retailer to learn more about how you can help a pet in need.
Meet the Underdogs
Underdogs wait the longest to be adopted, but we’re helping them find loving homes. From senior dogs to those who use wheelchairs, all dogs with special needs deserve to be safe and loved.
Meet the Underdogs
He may be minus one leg but Lincoln’s pluses more than make up for it. Lincoln and other dogs with missing limbs still go crazy for walks, treats, and unlimited tummy rubs.
Meet the Underdogs
Pop can’t wait to get into his wheels and get out the door. Thanks to modern medical engineering, wheelchair dogs like Pop love to run and play as much as any other dog. You’ll just have to try to keep up.
Meet the Underdogs
Missing an eye doesn’t bother Brucie a bit. Her keen ears and nose will lead her to straight to a snack or right into your arms. Once vision-impaired dogs like Brucie get used to your space, you’ll be surprised at how well they adapt.
Meet the Underdogs
Angus is a wise old man, but he still enjoys patrolling his neighborhood and showing the squirrels who’s boss. Senior dogs like Angus may have left puppy hyperactivity behind, but that just allows their personality and intelligence to shine so they’re even easier to love.
Meet the Underdogs
Elliot may look and move a bit different but he — and other deformed dogs like him — are proof that every Underdog is still a dog at heart. All they need is a little help and a lot of love, and they can run, play, and slobber like any dog in the park.
Everyone is rooting for the Underdogs.
Subaru owners explain why they wouldn’t change a thing about their beloved Underdogs.
“A rescue posted a hound dog's face on social media and at the bottom it said, ‘He doesn't let his injury slow him down.’ I ended up getting in contact with the rescue who explained that he got hit by a car and his front left leg was amputated. I arranged a meeting and fell in love with him. I have had Ralston for three years now and he shows no signs of slowing down. We walk almost 4 miles every day. If you're ever hesitant about a dog with a handicap, they adapt. He jumps higher, pulls harder, and runs faster than most dogs I've ever met.”
“Jane is absolutely an ‘Underdog’; she was malnourished and abused by her initial owner. Jane has spent the past seven years giving back as a trained and certified therapy dog providing emotional support at a local community mental health center where I work as a nurse practitioner. Her clownish personality and toothy grin bring a smile to everyone she meets. Jane loves her tricked-out hatchback area in our Forester where we keep her adventure gear, toys, treats, and beds — heated in the winter, of course!”
“Willy was just 12 weeks old when we adopted him. He is full of love and spirit and doesn't let his disability stop him from doing anything. Willy was surrendered by his original owners when they learned he was born permanently blind. After adopting Willy, he began to develop secondary glaucoma and we made the decision to have his eyes removed. Willy goes just about everywhere with us — from visiting friends and family to camping to going out and doing all things Subaru. He never skips a beat.”
“Morris was adopted to be a companion for our other dog, Stella. His story was heartbreaking. Captured wandering a field in Kentucky, he was rescued and adopted out only to be once again dumped in a field. He blossomed into the most amazing, happy dog. In 2017, Stella passed and Morris was terribly depressed. Then we met Eva. She was scared and shy, but ended up immediately following Morris. Over time, she has gained confidence and their bond is inseparable. We’ve traveled to four national parks as a family, taken countless hikes, gone on camping trips, and more all in our trusty Subaru Forester.”
“My friend’s wife had a customer who found two puppies abandoned in an empty building on the east side of Cleveland. When she opened the box, we found two little puppies not even five weeks of age covered in feces, malnourished, and clinging to life. Once clean and fed, we all agreed my friends would take Rocky and we would take Chiquita. Two years have gone by and now Chiquita has lived in three countries and currently resides in Florida. She frequently video calls her sister in Cleveland. From a street dog clinging to life to pampered princess loving rides in our 2022 WRX.”
“Butterscotch came from a rescue in Ohio. We brought her home in our Subaru Outback. She has been traveling with us ever since. I have helped transport many rescue dogs in our Outback on their journey to loving homes. Aside from their great reputation, the commitment of Subaru to shelter animals was one of the main reasons for the purchase of our first Outback many years ago. Plus, I love the commercials featuring the golden retriever family! Thank you Subaru for helping to give dogs like Butterscotch a second chance.”
With plenty of efforts taking place year-round, contact your local Subaru retailer to learn more about how you can help a pet in need.
Subaru Loves Pets
Pets make the world a better place. That’s why Subaru believes every pet deserves a loving home. Through our Subaru Loves Pets initiative, Subaru and our retailers are committed to improving the lives of as many shelter animals as possible.