Gizmo, a small but mighty rescue dog, is one of three finalists in the Wahl Dirty Dogs Contest, with a chance to win a $10,000 grant for his shelter, the Greater Birmingham Humane Society.

Rescue organizations from across the country have shared some of their most inspiring dog transformation stories.

Gizmo was found locked in a dark basement, covered with heavily matted fur. Gizmo couldn’t walk, see or eat when he was rescued.

It took two hours of careful grooming to clean him up. More than two pounds of filthy matting were removed. Underneath, groomers found a tiny dog ready for a new life.

Today, Gizmo is thriving, wagging his tail, and awaiting adoption.

To win the national competition, he’ll have to beat out Lenny Kravitz, who was found on a rural road in Selma, California, covered in ticks and dreadlocks.

But baby, it ain’t over till it’s over. Lenny has been adopted and now lives a pampered life in Pennsylvania.

The other finalist is Mattie from Martinsburg, West Virginia, who was rescued from a hoarding situation and adopted by a foster family after extensive grooming.

Greater Good Charities worked with Wahl, which donated grooming supplies for rescue organizations, to find shelter for dogs in need.

Gizmo’s transformation stood out among hundreds of entries for its dramatic impact and emotional backstory.

“We are proud to support shelters that save lives every day,” said Zach Wyer, senior director of Marketing for Wahl. ”A good bath and grooming uncovers some of the most vulnerable pets’ hidden potential to find families looking to adopt.”

How To Vote for Your Favorite Dirty Dog

Visit @WahlPets on TikTok to watch each finalist’s transformation story. Then, vote by commenting #WahlDirtyDogsContest on your favorite video. There is no limit to the number of comments allowed per person.

Voting is open through June 13, 2025. By commenting, you can win, too. Each comment will be entered in a sweepstakes to win a Wahl® Pets Prize Pack. The dog’s video with the most comments wins a $10,000 grant for their shelter, with 2nd place winning $3,000 and 3rd place winning $2,000. Each of these monetary grants will help give even more dogs a shot at a new beginning.

“The Dirty Dogs Contest is one of my favorite campaigns because it shows what rescue work is all about—taking a dog who’s been forgotten and helping them shine,” said Lee Asher, animal advocate and founder of The Asher House. “It’s amazing what a simple groom can do for a dog’s confidence, comfort, and adoptability. These dogs just need a little help to show the world who they really are.”