CAC Alum Margot Wins 2024 People’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Contest
Cincinnati rescue dog makes national news by being voted the cutest dog in the world over 7,000 other dogs!
This Pitbull Awareness Month, we are thrilled to announce that one of Cincinnati Animal CARE’s very own alum, Margot, has been crowned People’s 2024 World’s Cutest Rescue Dog sponsored by PEDIGREE. Margot, a striking 3-year-old pit bull and American bulldog mix, beat out over 7,000 other dogs to take the title—proof that rescue pups, especially those often misunderstood, have a special kind of charm.
Margot’s story began like so many of the animals who come through our doors—waiting for the right person to give her a chance. That person turned out to be Julia Zupan, a passionate Cincinnati Animal CARE volunteer. Julia had been involved with our shelter for some time, taking dogs on day trips to help them decompress from shelter life. This was her way of “getting her dog fix” while enjoying the companionship of different shelter pups. But when she saw Margot, something clicked and it wasn’t just a regular day trip.
In November 2022, Julia came across Margot’s photo on the Facebook page of another Cincinnati Animal CARE volunteer. What stood out most was Margot’s unique look: she had one brown eye and one blue, giving her a distinctive and unforgettable face. Julia recalls, “I wasn’t looking for a dog. But I saw Margot, and I thought, ‘I have to meet this dog because I have never seen a dog like this.’”
Julia arranged a day trip with Margot and brought her back to her apartment, where they spent quiet time relaxing. “We just laid in bed together,” Julia remembers. “And before long, Margot was fully lying on me, snuggling. I was amazed at how comfortable she seemed. It didn’t take long for me to fall in love with her.” That magical day led to Margot’s adoption just two days later, on November 15, 2022. “I wasn’t looking for a dog,” Julia said. “But I just knew that I couldn’t give this one up.”
Margot has since blossomed into a cuddle bug, earning Julia’s praise as “the most affectionate dog” she’s ever met.
Margot’s story didn’t end with her adoption. Julia continues to be a dedicated volunteer at Cincinnati Animal CARE, doing an impressive 16 day trips and 4 short-term fosters. Her commitment doesn’t stop there—Julia used her social media presence to advocate for the dogs at our shelter, amplifying their stories and increasing their chances of adoption. In fact, it was through this platform that she entered Margot into People’s World’s Cutest Rescue Dog Competition, helping to spread the word about how special pitbull mixes like Margot really are.
“Volunteering, fostering, and adopting have all changed my perspective on how many amazing dogs are sitting in kennels day in and day out–just waiting to go home,” said Julia. “I never truly understood the gravity of the amount of dogs needing our help until I physically started volunteering inside the shelter. I’ve never once met a dog I didn’t like. They’re all so amazing and unique in their own ways, they just need someone to take a chance on them.”
Despite having Margot to care for at home, Julia remains dedicated to volunteering at the shelter, continuing her role as a dog walker. To date, Julia has volunteered over 45 hours of her time walking and caring for the dogs at Cincinnati Animal CARE!
Margot’s win couldn’t have come at a better time. October is Pitbull Awareness Month, and this victory shines a much-needed spotlight on the loving, loyal nature of pit bull mixes. At Cincinnati Animal CARE, we work tirelessly to dispel the myths surrounding pit bulls. Margot’s story helps prove what we’ve always known—these dogs are not defined by stereotypes. Instead, they are individuals with unique personalities and unlimited love to give.
The truth is, Margot’s win is a win for all rescue dogs, especially pit bulls. We hope her story encourages more people to consider fostering, adopting, or volunteering with their local shelter. Every dog deserves a chance to find their home, and with supporters like Julia and dogs like Margot, we’re inspired to keep pushing for that goal every single day.
As Margot so perfectly shows, rescue dogs aren’t just cute—they’re resilient, loving, and full of personality. We’re beyond proud to have been a part of her journey and excited to see how her story will inspire others to open their hearts and homes to a rescue dog.
If you’re interested in learning more about how you can get involved this Pitbull Awareness Month—whether through fostering, adopting, or volunteering—we would love to hear from you. Just like Margot, there are plenty of incredible pit bulls and other breeds waiting for their chance at a happy ending. Will you be the next person to make a difference?
Stay tuned for more inspiring stories, and don’t forget to follow us on social media for updates on our adoptable animals, volunteer opportunities, and future success stories. Together, we can continue to change lives—one adorable rescue dog at a time.
