Justin Theroux Joins the ASPCA’s Rescue Effect Campaign to Encourage Pet Adoption During Adopt a Shelter Dog Month

NEW YORK - To coincide with Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, the ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) announced the addition of actor and animal advocate Justin Theroux as an ambassador for The Rescue Effect, the ASPCA's national campaign helping more animals find homes. The Rescue Effect showcases the lifesaving impact pet adoption and fostering can have on shelters by freeing up space and resources to help more animals in need. Justin and his adopted dog Kuma debuted their participation with an editorial-style portrait series and accompanying video featured across the ASPCA's website and social media to inspire more people to adopt and foster dogs of all breeds, ages and sizes during Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

Many shelters across the country are at capacity with nearly three million dogs entering shelters and rescues in 2025, and animals, especially dogs, are often staying longer in their care before being adopted. According to a nationwide ASPCA survey, the overwhelming majority of Americans believe pets bring a multitude of benefits to their lives, including reducing loneliness and boosting happiness levels. Additionally, most Americans favor large dogs, even though large dogs in shelters are often overlooked due to misconceptions about their size.

A lifelong owner of rescue dogs, Kuma is Justin's fifth pit bull. He first started falling in love with pit bulls after realizing how misunderstood they are, which inspired his advocacy work to speak out against breed discrimination, and highlight the challenges that dogs in shelters are facing nationwide. Justin adopted Kuma in 2018 from a Texas shelter that rescued her in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. Since then, Kuma has become a star in her own right, boasting more than 78,000 followers on her Instagram, and frequently joins Justin to advocate for pet adoption, using her platform to change people's minds on what a pit bull can be.

"I've had dogs my whole life and the preconceptions people have about pit bulls can be life-threatening for dogs like Kuma, who are loving, kind and loyal. She's an incredible ambassador for the breed, and I encourage adopters to open not just their doors, but their hearts and minds to an animal in need," said Justin Theroux. "Kuma's rescue effect on me has been life changing - oftentimes I go to bed thinking about how blessed I am to have her in my life. When we help one animal, we help many more and I'm proud to join the ASPCA's Rescue Effect campaign to bring attention to dogs of all breeds who are waiting for someone to give them a second chance."

In addition to supporting pet adoption, Justin has also fostered several dogs. Adoption and fostering put shelter animals in safe and loving homes, help shelters conserve their space and resources and provide people with companionship. Fostering is unique in that it gives animals the chance to decompress outside of the shelter and experience life in a loving home.

"Some animals in shelters are often overlooked due to misconceptions about their breed, age or size, and Justin's commitment to advocating for the most vulnerable animals is a wonderful reminder that the best way to make a good choice when adopting a dog is to base that choice on the dog's personality and behavior rather than their breed - you might be surprised to find that your perfect match is an animal you didn't initially consider," said Christa Chadwick, senior vice president of shelter services for the ASPCA. "Choosing adoption, like Justin, helps the animal you take home while also freeing up space and resources so that shelters can help other animals in need, and if you can't adopt, we encourage the public to consider temporarily fostering, which also provides lifesaving support."

Launched in August and continuing through Adopt a Shelter Dog Month this October, hundreds of shelters and rescues nationwide are participating in this year's Rescue Effect campaign to engage more adopters and reduce the time animals spend waiting for loving homes. As part of this year's campaign, the ASPCA once again provided $2 million in grant funding to help 200 participating shelters waive adoption fees and support their operating costs, giving more animals the chance to find loving homes.

For more information about the ASPCA's Rescue Effect campaign and to find a participating shelter or rescue, visit aspca.org/therescueeffect. In addition to adopting a pet, members of the public can support their local shelter by temporarily fostering an animal in need, donating supplies or urging their members of Congress to provide federal funding for animal welfare organizations across the country.

Join the conversation on social media by using #TheRescueEffect and tagging the ASPCA or share a photo of your adopted pet through the ASPCA's Rescue Effect "Add Yours" Instagram Stories prompt, inspired by Justin and Kuma.