We are thrilled to announce that earlier this week, at the 18th Annual CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute, our very own Stephen Knight, founder of Dogs Matter, was named 2024 CNN Hero of the Year.
This incredible honor recognizes Knight’s innovative work supporting pet owners facing addiction and treatment. Since launching Dogs Matter in 2015, Knight has been on a mission to provide safe, temporary foster care for pets while their owners focus on their own recovery—ensuring critical family bonds remain intact and equally importantly, the pets stay safe and out of over crowded shelters where they face an uncertain fate and are at risk of euthanization.
Grants to Continue Good Works
Each of the incredible individuals named a Top 5 CNN Hero finalist will receive a $10,000 grant to continue their worthwhile mission. Because Knight was named the winner and 2024 CNN Hero of the Year, his organization, Dogs Matter, will also receive an additional $100,000 grant to expand his impactful work. During his acceptance speech, Knight expressed his heartfelt gratitude, saying:
“This means everything. I represent so much here. I represent the recovery community. The dog rescue community…This is going to be able to take us to the next level.”
CNN Partners With GoFundMe and Elevate Prize Foundation
CNN has partnered with GoFundMe to facilitate donations to the nonprofit organizations of the Top 5 2024 CNN Hero finalists via CNNHeroes.com. Elevate Prize Foundation has announced they will match donations to all finalists through January 5, 2025, further amplifying the support for each of these remarkable changemakers.
For donations to be match- eligible, they must be made through the GoFundMe account which is linked here.
Elevate Prize Foundation will match, dollar-for-dollar, all donations made to Dogs Matter through the GoFundMe account up to an incredible $50,000. They will match individual donations up to $5,000 each and donors can make multiple donations if they want to further increase their impact.
You can be an important part of the Final Stretch for Second Chances. By sharing the donation link with your friends, family, and through your social media channels, you can help support our very own 2024 CNN Hero of the Year and help continue the impact of the Dogs Matter program and the life-changing work they do every day. You’ll be saving both human and animal lives!
Dogs Matter’s Impact
Knight’s program has helped over 1,500 dogs and their owners not only begin their recovery journey but also stay the course by providing no-cost temporary foster care. The dogs are temporarily signed over to Dogs Matter, usually for a period of 30 to 90 days, and are then placed into foster care. Dogs Matter staff also follow clients for one year after they are reunited with their dogs, offering both support and accountability to keep those in recovery on track.
Through its partnership with Dallas Pets Alive, Dogs Matter has access to the entire DPA volunteer foster network and can offer a temporary, safe, and healthy environment for pets while clients are seeking inpatient treatment, and if necessary, until they are healthy and stable enough to take care of their pet again.
Here at DPA, we are beyond proud of Stephen and the incredible impact he has had on our community. Dogs Matter is no less than a lifeline for pet owners navigating their recovery. By offering temporary foster care for their beloved pets, owners can focus on getting well—knowing their furry family members are safe and cared for.
We are grateful to everyone who cast a vote for Stephen over the past few weeks. Stephen’s unwavering dedication has changed countless lives, and this recognition as CNN Hero of the Year shines a well-deserved spotlight on his work.
