Love comes in all shapes and sizes—sometimes, it’s wrapped in fur with a wagging tail. This Valentine’s Day, we’re loving the story of Relic, a six-year-old German Shepherd who found his forever family through fostering. Relic is Pedigree Foundation’s Rescue Dog Of The Year, and we know why!
How Fostering Changed Everything for Relic
Relic’s journey wasn’t easy, as he didn’t have the best start in life. When he first landed at East Bay SPCA in Oakland, California, he was stressed, reactive, and struggling to adjust to shelter life. For dogs like Relic, the chaotic sights and sounds of a shelter can be overwhelming. This is sadly what can make adoption even harder, because a dog’s true personality can’t be seen.
Thankfully, East Bay SPCA had a foster program ready to step in. Foster families give dogs the chances they deserve to show potential adoptees their best selves. With the right support—including private training sessions, check-ins with behavior specialists, and an in-home trainer recommended by the shelter—Relic blossomed. His anxiety lessened, his confidence grew, and before long, he became the loyal, loving dog he was always meant to be. Even cooler, his journey is being recognized and Relic has been named the 2025 PEDIGREE Foundation Rescue Dog of the Year!
Foster Fail To Furry Family Member
After all the work his foster family put into making Relic adoptable, they realized what so many fosters do—they couldn’t imagine life without him!
Relic’s story became a classic “foster fail” success, as his temporary home became his forever home.
Why Fostering Is a Game-Changer for Shelter Dogs
Relic’s journey is proof that fostering isn’t just a nice idea—it’s really a necessity for dogs to blossom into their real selves. Across the country, shelters are overcrowded and under-resourced, and foster homes provide sometimes the last chance a dog really has at a good life with a forever family.
Here’s why foster programs matter more than ever:
1. Fostering Reduces Stress and Makes Dogs More Adoptable
Shelter life is tough, and even the best facilities can’t mimic the comfort of a real home. Foster homes help dogs relax, learn routines, and build confidence, making them far more likely to get adopted.
2. It Prevents Overcrowding in Shelters
With shelters constantly at capacity, every foster home frees up space for another dog in need. That means fewer dogs end up at risk of euthanasia and are given more second chances.
3. Fostering Helps Dogs with Special Needs
Dogs like Relic—who need a little extra time and training—thrive in foster programs because they get the one-on-one support they need before being placed in a permanent home.
4. It Strengthens the Shelter System as a Whole
Successful foster programs, like the one at East Bay SPCA, don’t just help individual dogs—they also create better long-term adoption outcomes and help other shelters learn from their success.
Foster Resources Matter
Relic’s transformation wouldn’t have been possible without resources, funding, and community support. Organizations like the PEDIGREE Foundation play such a critical role in helping shelters like East Bay SPCA run and expand their foster and training programs.
In August 2023, East Bay SPCA received a $15,000 grant from PEDIGREE Foundation to support its Behavior and Training Program expansion, and that’s the very program that helped Relic overcome his fears and find his forever home.
And now, as the 2025 PEDIGREE Foundation Rescue Dog of the Year, Relic isn’t just a success story—he’s an ambassador for foster dogs everywhere. His journey showcases exactly why shelters need funding, why fostering matters, and why more dogs deserve a second chance.
How You Can Help
Relic’s story may be special, but it’s not unique—there are thousands of dogs just like him waiting for a chance. If his journey inspires you, here are some ways you can make a difference:
1. Become a Foster Parent
Fostering saves lives. If you have space and time, consider opening your home to a dog in need—most shelters provide food, medical care, and training resources, so you’re never on your own.
2. Support Shelter and Foster Programs
If fostering isn’t an option, you can still support local shelters through donations, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about adoptable dogs.
3. Adopt, Don’t Shop
If you’re thinking about adding a dog to your family, consider adopting from a shelter or rescue group. There’s a Relic out there waiting for you!
And, if you want to help build foster and shelter programs like the one Relic graduated from and get an adorable plush lookalike in the process, go here! A portion of the proceeds will go directly toward funding foster and shelter programs, making sure that more dogs like Relic get the support they need to find loving homes.
A Valentine’s Day To Remember
Relic’s journey from an anxious shelter dog to PEDIGREE Foundation’s Rescue Dog of the Year is more than just an inspiring story—it’s a reminder of what’s possible when foster families, shelters, and community support come together.
So, how about on this Valentine’s Day, we celebrate the kind of love that rescues, heals, and transforms lives—because every dog deserves a happily-ever-after.