#ProudRescueDads: Celebs Show Off Their Adorable Dogs
This Sunday is Father’s Day, and what better way to celebrate fatherhood than with this tribute to the doting celebrity dads of adopted animals.
If you’re a father to a child of the furry variety, use the hashtag #ProudRescueDad on social media and show the world how much you love your animal companion.
On this and every Father’s Day, let us honour our dads – not only for the love they give us but also for their compassion for animals.
Here are our favourite celebrity “rescue dads”:
Anthony ‘Lehmo’ Lehmann
Known for brightening up our screens on The Project, Lehmo also brightened up the life of Bunny the staffy cross when he adopted her from a rescue centre.
After an uncertain start in life, Bunny lucked out by joining Lehmo’s family and is now, according to daddy, “one of the most indulged and spoilt dogs in the country”.
Now big sister to new baby Laddie, we wish Bunny a long and happy life with her doting family.
Ryan Reynolds
Reynolds found his adorable dog Baxter at a Houston animal shelter while looking to adopt a dog for his friend.
He says, “I whispered to him, ‘Hey, let’s get the hell out of here.’ And he jumped up, like he spoke English fluently. He came with me, he jumped in the car, and we’ve been best buddies ever since”.
Kevin Spacey
While visiting a hospital after the Boston bombings, Kevin Spacey adopted a puppy in need of a new home – and, in honour of the city, he named her Boston. Spacey also adopted his other dog, Mini, from a shelter in London.
When asked if he’d consider himself an advocate for rescuing animals, his reply was simple: “HUGE”.
Liam Hemsworth
Daddy to rescued dogs Tani and Dora, Hemsworth is also a huge advocate for animal adoption, saying, “If you’re going to get a dog, get a rescue”.
His Instagram regularly features cute snaps of his four-legged friends, and as a compassionate vegan, Hemsworth regularly speaks out for the rights of animals.
Tom Hardy
Mad Max: Fury Road star Tom Hardy rescued his dog, Woodstock, from homelessness and is a dedicated supporter of animal adoption.
He teamed up with PETA to shoot this ad campaign designed to raise awareness of the importance of adopting animals rather than supporting breeders or pet shops:
Zac Efron
After Zac Efron adopted a gorgeous dog named Chappelle with then-girlfriend Sami Miró in 2014, Miró wrote of their decision on Instagram: “There are so many dogs out there who need homes – rescue them!”
Efron later showed off his new best friend on Twitter, posting this cute snap:
Peter Dinklage
Game of Thrones star Dinklage is known for his compassion towards animals and is a long-time vegetarian and PETA ambassador.
He’s so devoted to his dog, Kevin, that he even thanked him in his 2011 Emmy acceptance speech!
Bradley Cooper
Once a dad, always a dad. Cooper was devastated when his adopted dog Samson passed away in 2010 but paid tribute to him by displaying a giant photo canvas of him in his home.
He also adopted another dog, Charlotte, and would often refer to the two dogs as his “kids”.
Speaking of his love for them a few years ago, Cooper said, “I lucked out, I got two great rescues … I’m sort of a hybrid of both my dogs. Samson is stoic and makes me earn it and Charlotte loves me undyingly”.
These are just a few of the scores of celebrity #ProudRescueDads who have adopted animal companions.
Inspired by their stories? Share this post with your friends and family, and encourage everyone you know to adopt from animal shelters.
Let’s make 2025 a historic year for animals
