The votes are in, and Rescue Brew 2026 is almost here!
Join us on Saturday, August 8, at NoDa Brewing Company for the annual Rescue Brew Launch Paw-ty as we unveil this year's winning Top Dog and Queen City Kitty, celebrate our community, and raise a glass to helping pets and the people who love them.
What to Expect
- Meet this year's Rescue Brew winners.
- Shop from local vendors and makers.
- Enjoy Rescue Brew on tap and purchase 4-packs to take home.
- Enjoy food, drinks, and family-friendly fun.
Become a VendorWe're looking for local businesses, artists, makers, and pet-focused organizations to join us as vendors at this year's Launch Paw-ty.
It's a great opportunity to connect with thousands of animal lovers while supporting the Humane Society of Charlotte's mission to strengthen the bond between people and pets.
Interested in participating? Contact us at intern@humanecharlotte.org to learn more about vendor opportunities.
Poured with Purpose
Poured with Purpose is NoDa Brewing's charity program designed to make a financial impact to non-profits in our area. For every pint ordered in NoDa's taproom on Tuesdays you'll receive a $1 token to use on their Impact Wall, supporting one of four charities, one being HSC! Simply drop your token into HSC's container, and at the end of the year, HSC will receive all of the collected donations. An additional match from NoDa Brewing Co will be given to the charity with the most donations at the end of the year of up to $500.
Reserve Your 2027 Rescue Brew Calendar
Our Rescue Brew Calendar features all of this year's photo contest participants, including the winning pets and finalists.
Pre-ordering helps us determine how many calendars to print, reducing waste and ensuring every purchase supports our mission. Calendars will also be available at the Launch Paw-ty and in HSC's Retail Center.
Calendar Order →
About HSCAt the Humane Society of Charlotte, we believe that by working to improve animal welfare, we're not only saving the lives of animals who need our help, but are also building a better community by creating families with healthy, happy pets, educating pet owners and ensuring the safety and well-being of both two-legged and four-legged Charlotteans. We've been here in Charlotte since 1978, and we know firsthand how much this community can do when we work together. Whether you're looking for a new family member, want to work or volunteer with us, need help with training or medical care for your pet – we're here for you!The funds raised via the Rescue Brew photo contest will support the Humane Society of Charlotte and the people and pets in our community.🏆 Prizes
Through this photo competition, one dog and one cat, will become the face of
NoDa Brewing Company's special edition limited release, Rescue Brew. The dog who garners the most votes along with the cat who garners the most votes will be crowned our Top Dog and Queen City Kitty! Their winning photos will be turned into a custom portrait from Charlotte artist, Abby Hutchinson. Those portraits will then become the official Rescue Brew 2026 label!
In addition, the top 6 cats and top 6 dogs will be featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar! The winner's will receive a professional photo session from
Reflections by Rhiannon.
Top Dog and Queen City Kitty additional prizes:
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Framed portrait from Abby Hutchinson
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session by Reflections by Rhiannon
Second place (one dog, one cat):
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session from Reflections by Rhiannon
Third place (one dog, one cat):
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session from Reflections by Rhiannon
Fourth place (one dog, one cat):
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session from Reflections by Rhiannon
Fifth place (one dog, one cat):
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session from Reflections by Rhiannon
Sixth place (one dog, one cat):
- Gift card to NoDa Brewing Company
- Featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar and receive a professional photo session from Reflections by Rhiannon
Pet owners will be asked to submit an original photo of their dog and/or cat and tell us why their pet deserves to be the face of Rescue Brew. Submission photos should only feature
one animal. The competition will be split into a dog group and a cat group. At
8:59:59 PM EST on
June 22nd voting will end. The top fundraiser for each category (dog and cat) will be crowned the winners! In addition, the top 6 cats and top 6 dogs will be featured in the official Rescue Brew 2027 Calendar!
- Animal submissions will cost $25 each (a donation to HSC) and will open at 12:00 AM (Eastern Time) on Monday, April 13, 2026 and end at 8:59:59 PM (Eastern Time) on Saturday, June 20, 2026.
- The voting period will end at 8:59:59 PM (Eastern Time) on Monday, June 22, 2026
- $1 = 1 vote
- Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Charlotte
Photo Files Accepted: .JPG and .PNG
Copyright Information: All photos must be original. The Humane Society of Charlotte and NoDa Brewing Company will not copy, distribute, display, disseminate, or otherwise reproduce any of the information about contest entries without the owner's express permission.
Disclaimer: The Humane Society of Charlotte reserves the right to remove any photo or participant from the platform and/or contest at any time.
Disclaimer: Votes (Donations) can only be cast through the GoGo platform. HSC is unable to process refunds on any donations or votes.
About Me...
Photography has been a passion of mine ever since I can remember. I have two younger sisters and I have been capturing their lives as a dancer and as an equestrian for many years. Although we have very special pictures and times to look back on, I have to admit that at times they really just wanted me to put the camera away! I pursued my interest in college and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Photography from Winthrop University. Upon graduation, I remained in the Charlotte area and chose to open my own portraiture business, specializing in children.
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words… My passion for photography is matched by my love of children and animals and the enjoyment I receive from capturing the world through their eyes – the innocence of an infant, the discovery of a toddler, the inquisitiveness of a youngster, and the independence and self-expression of a teenager. By providing a mix of classic portraiture and candid environmental pictures, your collection of prints will reflect your child’s personality and interests.
My goal is to provide you with an enjoyable boutique experience focused around you. My individualized approach will capture your child as a unique individual rather than just as “another child.” Photographically, I will capture and display what is truly special about your child or pet.
My work is rewarded not only through the parents’ smile I see today, but by the smiles their child’s pictures trigger twenty years from now. The happiness provided by sharing these pictures with grandparents, aunts, uncles, friends, and all others who have the privilege of viewing your child’s pictures is truly gratifying for me.
Abby Hutchinson – Artist Bio
Abby Hutchinson is the artist behind Abs Paint Co, and specializes in custom pet portrait artwork. As a lifelong animal lover, Abby has always felt a deep connection to both art and animals. In 2020, she created her first pet portrait, which over the years has grown into Abs Paint Co. While pet portraits remain at the heart of her work, Abby has expanded into offering a variety of custom pieces and watercolor products. She especially loves capturing pet personalities through her art, focusing on the small details that make each piece meaningful and unique. Abby is also the proud owner of her two Labrador retrievers, who are her constant studio companions and honorary team members, offering daily inspiration.
