The Kennel Club of Philadelphia (KCP) has long been in the entertainment and education business with its all-breed dog shows, forging an influential local and national impact since its first shows in 1879.
That impact has exploded this past decade, thanks to the joining together of KCP, the NBC television network and Purina in 2002 to create “The National Dog Show Presented by Purina and hosted by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia” on every Thanksgiving Day. The ensuing national exposure has helped the Kennel Club grow into a far-reaching national and international charitable organization, with canine and human causes benefitting from KCP’s generosity to the tune of $1.5 million since 2014. All signs point to this legacy continuing for years to come.
The KCP is a nonprofit organization with the mission of promoting the wonderfulness of dogs, responsible pet ownership and the health and well-being of dogs everywhere. Today, with NBC television money, support from Purina and other sponsors, entry fees from 2,000 dogs, vendor fees and ticket sales to the general public, the Kennel Club of Philadelphia finds itself with discretionary dollars to share with causes it believes in.
“We know what we do, we know a lot of people, and we know what works,” said KCP Board of Directors member David Frei, co-host and expert analyst of the National Dog Show broadcast each November.
“We have a grassroots event that is treasured at the local level with thousands of Philadelphia-area families attending, and we have a worldclass dog show for many millions of television viewers, as well.”
The National Dog Show, which reached nearly 23 million viewers this past Thanksgiving, has been a success, resulting in contributions of over $1.5 million to various causes identified by members, friends and colleagues in the industry.
“The vision shared by the Kennel Club of Philadelphia, NBC and Purina in 2002, and the impact it has created, has certainly earned the name the founders chose for the event that drives it all—the National Dog Show,” said Wayne Ferguson, president of the Kennel Club of Philadelphia. “This is especially evident when you look at the list of our charitable recipients from coast to coast for 2025.”
In the early years, the first donations went to the Canine Health Foundation, which funds research and promotes canine health education, and Take the Lead, an organization that provides support and care for individuals in the sport of purebred dogs facing life threatening illnesses or unexpected disasters. These organizations have each received over $300,000 over the past 11 years.
KCP’s charitable reach, through the years, has expanded to include the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, primarily in the form of scholarships, and American Kennel Club Reunite, which has received over $200,000 to provide affordable pet microchipping and disaster recovery services, helping more lost pets return home. Additionally, in the past two years, Sunrise Service Dogs in Colorado has received funding to train dogs and humans to support individuals with disabilities and community service providers.
In 2025, the KCP added the Pasadena Humane Society and LA County Animal Care Foundation to the donation list to assist people and pets affected by recent California wildfires. Another 2025 beneficiary was the National Service Animals Monument Inc. (NSAM), which recently received permission from the U.S. government to build a monument on federally owned property in Washington, D.C. to honor the human-animal bond and service animals.
NSAM’s Chairman of the Board is internationally acclaimed sculptor, Susan Bahary, who was named the KCP’s Dogs’ Best Friend Award winner in 2022. This is an annual award created to inspire and motivate others to contribute to animal welfare in their community, and protect dogs whose service and companionship are a critical and enriching part of American life.
This past year, the Dogs’ Best Friend Award recognized PACT for Animals, a Philadelphia-based charitable organization that finds foster homes for dogs and pets of military service members who are deployed to defend America’s freedoms. In 2012, the Dogs’ Best Friend Award went to the Martin & Toni Sosnoff Foundation, which covered the medical expenses of search and rescue dogs who worked at 9/11 disaster recovery sites.
Beyond the Kennel Club’s efforts in the United States, its charitable impact extends internationally. The club contributed funds to humane efforts in Ukraine to support those affected by the three year old Russian invasion.
Choosing which charities to support is no easy task for the KCP. Rather than accepting external applications, prospective recipients are evaluated by an internal committee. KCP does not accept applications from outside the club and it is a priority to spread the support across the country.
“We’re just happy to be fortunate enough to help not just those in our dog show family, but our extended family across the United States in support of the health and well-being of our canine friends,” Ferguson concluded.
