Rescue Dog Rue Is Running for NYC Dog Mayor
A HFG rescue dog is running for NYC Dog Mayor — and she’s got a story worth rooting for.
The Race for NYC Dog Mayor
Every year, New York City holds one of the most delightfully chaotic elections around: the Honorary Dog Mayor race. Sixteen “canine-didates” from all five boroughs go head-to-head in a March Madness-style bracket. Voters pick their favorites each week until one very good dog takes the “oaf of office.” Past winners have gone on to appear at City Hall alongside real elected officials, championing causes like pet adoption and animal welfare.
This year, HFG alum, Rue, threw her leash into the ring.
From Candi to Candidate
Long before she was a canine-didate, Rue went by a different name. She was adopted through Home for Good Dog Rescue back in 2019, when her family first met her as Candi. She settled into her new life in NYC and quickly became a neighborhood favorite. Now she’s trading her quiet “home for good” routine for campaign season.
How the Election Works
The NYC Dog Mayor election runs like a real political bracket. Each week, two candidates face off, and the dog with the most votes moves forward. Voting happens through Instagram, Facebook, and the official election website, and here’s the best part: you don’t have to live in New York to vote. Anyone, anywhere can cast a ballot.
Rue’s next voting round opens Wednesday, August 26th, and the polls stay open for one full week. Every vote counts, and every share helps.
Why We’re Cheering Her On
We love a good rescue story, and this one has a fun twist. Rue’s journey from HFG rescue dog to citywide canine-didate is a reminder that rescue dogs bring a little bit of everything to their new lives: love, personality, and apparently, political ambition.
It’s also a chance to put our HFG rescue dogs in front of an entirely new audience. Every person who votes for Rue, follows her campaign, or shares her story is someone who might not have thought about fostering or adopting before. That kind of visibility matters more than any single election result.
How You Can Help
Rue can’t knock on doors herself, so she’s counting on her supporters to do the legwork.
- Follow her campaign on Instagram at @RueInRidgewood
- Vote for Rue starting Wednesday, August 26th
- Share her story with friends and family, near or far
- Consider fostering or adopting your own future canine-didate through Home for Good Dog Rescue
Win or lose, Rue has already proven something all HFG rescue dogs know deep down: given the right home, any dog can go from overlooked to unforgettable. This one just happens to be running for office.
