Rescue Pets Meet the Stunning Rose Parade Sculptures They Inspired — See the Sweet Float!

Mar. 15, 2025

Rescue dog in front of “Welcome Home” float.Photo:Wren Louis Photography

Wren Louis Photography

There will be some furry faces among the petals of the 2025 Rose Parade.

According to Hill’s, the float depicts shelter pets on their “best day ever”—the day they were adopted. For the pet brand, the float’s ride in the Rose Parade also marks the launch of Hill’s first “Welcome Home” adoption drive. During the January drive, Hill’s will partner with participatingHill’s Food, Shelter & Love sheltersand contribute up to $130,000 to offset adoption costs.

“Adoption is life-changing for shelter pets, which is why we are excited to launch our ‘Welcome Home’ initiative,” said Dr. Karen Shenoy, US Chief Veterinary Officer at Hill’s Pet Nutrition. “This campaign is designed to support shelters and break down barriers to adoption. There’s no better opportunity to celebrate the start of the adoption drive than at the 2025 Rose Parade alongside our shelter partner, Pasadena Humane, as we bring attention to the urgent need for pet adoption.”

One of the shelter dogs who inspired the 2025 Rose Parade’s “Welcome Home” float.Wren Louis Photography

The dogs who served as muses for the float’s talented creators got to visit their floral doppelgangers before the float’s maiden voyage on Jan. 1. The canines, now all adopted, posed beside their float sculptures and showed off the creations to the people who helped them find homes.

Participating shelter partners include Williamson County Regional Animal Shelter in Austin, the Animal Rescue League of Boston, the Humane Society of Charlotte, the SPCA of Texas, and the Houston SPCA, along with the Great Plains SPCA, the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City, and Wayside Waifs in Kansas City.

The “Welcome Home” 2025 Rose Parade float.Wren Louis Photography

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The other shelters participating in Hill’s “Welcome Home” initiative are The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas, Pasadena Humane, ACCT Philly, the SPCA of Wake County in Raleigh, and the SPCA Tampa Bay.

source: people.com