Launched last month, CharlieDog and Friends is the first toy company to produce stuffed animals based on real-life shelter adoption success stories.

These plush toys each sport a hangtag that points the way to the featured pet’s shelter website and related rescue causes. They remind kids, who remember forever what beloved stuffed animals tell them, that shelter-dog adoption is cool. (I can definitely relate.)

The sale of CharlieDogs raises money for rescue groups and the shelters that found homes for the real-life animals. CharlieDogs’ new collection is “Pocket Pitties,” designed to support and promote the excellent work of Pit Bull rescue Bruised Not Broken.

Holiday shopping season looms. Check out the CharlieDogs — and the living, breathing dogs who inspired them — at CharlieDog and Friends.