Actress Drew Barrymore and actor Dave Bautista are helping furry friends in need throughout October, which happens to be Adopt a Shelter Dog Month!

Barrymore and Bautista have teamed up with the ASPCA to spread the word about adopting and fostering dogs to celebrate Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. As a way to encourage their fans to adopt, not shop, Barrymore and Bautista have been sharing adorable pups looking for their forever homes with their social media followers. In addition, they have highlighted The Rescue Effect that shows fostering and adopting animals will cause shelters to be less crowded.

 Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO, expressed his gratitude for Barrymore and Bautista’s participation during  Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

“We are thankful for the support of Drew Barrymore and Dave Bautista, who have proven to be compassionate ambassadors for dogs in shelters. This Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, we hope Drew and Dave’s efforts will inspire the public to adopt or foster a pet, making an impact that ripples throughout shelters nationwide while creating space for more dogs in need,” said Bershadker. 

 Fans of Barrymore and Bautista shouldn't be surprised by their dedication to helping dogs in need. 

While speaking to ASPCA, Bautista noted that he owns four rescue pit bulls named Ollie, Maggie, Penny, and Talulah. 

 “Every day, my rescue dogs Ollie, Maggie, Penny, and Talulah, show me why all shelter pets deserve compassion, care, and unconditional love. They’ve changed my life in the best way as much as I’ve changed theirs,” said Bautista. “By choosing to adopt, I not only gave them second chances at life but also helped create room at my local shelter for other rescue pets to find good, loving families. A positive future for shelter pets starts with someone like you, or me.”

While speaking to We Rate Dogs in 2023, Bautista encouraged his fans to adopt, not shop.

“I love dogs and it just kills me to see so many lovable dogs need homes. And I don’t understand when people go out and buy a pet that’s been bred when there are so many dogs that need homes. It just kind of confuses me. I firmly believe in adopting don’t shop,” said Bautista. 

Meanwhile, Barrymore has seven animals, including four cats named Peach, Lucky, Big Kitty, and Little Kitty Barrymore, two dogs, Lucy and Douglas, and last but not least, a bearded dragon called Jeremy. While speaking to People magazine in April 2023, Barrymore shared that her cats were adopted from rescues. 

"It never even crossed my mind to do anything but rescue. I figured there were so many cats that needed to be rescued. I've never considered buying one from a store," said Barrymore during the People magazine interview. 

If you are considering adopting a furry friend during October head over to ASPCA.org/Adopt.