Rescued pets show off their belongings and earn cash prizes that go to charity on The American Rescue Dog Show

This new canine competition show is NOT that fancy Westminster Dog Show. In The American Rescue Dog Show, categories include Best in Belly Rubs and Best in Snoring. And the cute puppies here are all competing for big bucks for animal welfare groups.

Creator and executive producer Michael Levitt loves the rescue idea so much that he once took a year off production just to rescue dogs. And then he had an aha moment.

“As a rescuer, I’m rescuing dog after dog, which is amazing. But as a producer, I knew I could do so much more to make a difference nationally. And that’s how ‘The American Rescue Dog ‘Really Show’ came about,” Levitt said.

Joe Tessitore and Rob Riggle host the show, which features three judges who have all had rescue dogs in their lives: Paula Abdul, Leslie Jordan, and Yvette Nicole Brown.

“This show is about the heart. But she’s also really funny. She’s not sad,” Levitt said. “I mean, Joe Tessitore and Rob Riggle are brilliant and hilarious. But it’s really – we’re not afraid of the word ‘serious’. We are not afraid of the heart. I think people around the world are really longing for it today. And a show like this just gives you the warm fuzzies. And it’s perfect for watching with the whole family.

Each dog that wins one of the “Best In” categories – and there are seven – wins $10,000 for a local animal welfare group. And the dog that takes home the Best in Rescue award will have an additional $100,000 donated in their honor.

“I always say this isn’t a bad commercial for Sarah McLaughlin – and I love Sarah McLaughlin. This show will make you laugh. She will make you cry and warm your heart in the most beautiful way,” Levitt said. “So yeah, I’m confident that people seeing this are going to really think about saving their next dog.”

You’re watching The American Rescue Dog Show on Wednesday, May 25th on ABC. You can find it on Hulu the next day.

Disney is the parent company of Hulu and this ABC network.