It's easy to participate!
This fun-filled contest benefits pets and children in Northeast Wisconsin.
Dog owners will pay
$10 to enter their pup into their favorite shelter's or brewery's photo contest.
Once voting opens on February 2nd, contestants will encourage their friends and family to vote for their canine companion
(votes are just $1 each).
It's anyone's game! On March 1st, the contest will come to an end, and the top vote-earning dog will be crowned the NEW Top Dogs for 2026. The top 10 dogs from each of the five contests will win some really cool prizes and the top 3 shelters with the most total votes among all their dogs will an additional cash prize to support their efforts.
Why enter?
Aside from bragging rights, there are a number of reasons to enter this contest!
- YOUR DOG ON A BEER: The winning dog from each of the five local contests will become the face of their very own beer! They'll get to collaborate with the brewmaster and help with naming! (at the brewery's discretion) In each of the five contests, the 2nd-10th place dogs will also have their photos featured on the back of the beer can or bottle.
- PRIZES: The top 10 dogs from each of the contests will win a variety of prize packages (see each prize page for more details).
- SHELTER BONUS: At the end of the contest the shelter or rescue with the most votes across all dogs representing their shelter will win a $1,500 cash prize! The second highest will receive $1,000. The third will receive $500. This is in addition to the funds they receive from the contest entries and voting.
- PETS AND KIDS: Proceeds from this contest will benefit the participating shelters/rescues and the Oshkosh Mid-Morning Kiwanis club.
Important Dates
- January 26th: Contest registration begins!
- February 2nd: Voting begins!
- March 1st: Registration and voting ends at 9:00pm (CST) and the places are locked!
- Keep an eye out for Match Days to double your votes and impact!
- Follow your favorite shelter/rescue & brewery's Facebook pages for additional events supporting NEW Top Dog.
Support Kids & Pets
There's so much at play here! The NEW Top Dog contest is about fun, prizes, a sought-after title, and making a difference. Since 2020, this program has raised over
$700,000 to help pets and children in our communities.
Because of you, NEW Top Dog 2026 will change the lives of even more pets and children. Thank you for your participation!
About The Neenah Animal Shelter
For almost 60 years, the Neenah Animal Shelter has been there for all kinds of animals in all conditions. When they have nowhere else to go, they can come to us and we will help them find a new start in life--another chance to be loved.
In 1962 we opened our doors to take in the first of these heartwarming creatures. Since then, thousands of animals--from street-smart cats and white-faced retrievers to newborn kittens and bouncing pups--have come through our doors needing food, warmth, medicine and a forever home.
Please continue to support our shelter through adoptions and donations. With your help we can be there for the loving, trusting animals that depend on us for years to come.
We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. In 2011 we were proud to obtain status as a Wisconsin state licensed animal shelter. DATCP License #403508-DS
Additional information can be found at: http://neenahanimalshelter.org
Or by following us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NeenahAnimalShelter
