FORT BRAGG, CA., 10/21/26 – Jinny Lu, the Ukiah rescue pug who won the 2026 World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, will make a special appearance at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens this Friday.
The 6-year-old pug has become a paw-pular celebrity since being named the World’s Ugliest Dog on Aug. 14 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, a year after finishing second in the same contest. She then spent a whirlwind weekend in New York City, where her floppy tongue, pearl necklace and big personality made a national television appearance on NBC’s TODAY show.
Her rags-to-riches story started when an animal rescue organization, Pug Rescue of Korea, saved her in South Korea. She now lives at the Pug Hotel, a nonprofit sanctuary in Ukiah for senior pugs and those who are traumatized or considered unadoptable.
Now, she will continue her victory lap at the Mendocino Botanical Gardens on Friday, Oct. 23, at around 11 a.m. Visitors can meet Jinny Lu, learn about her story and snap a picture with the icon while enjoying a walk through the gardens.
“We are happy to welcome Jinny Lu and the Pug Hotel to the Gardens for a morning celebrating rescue animals, community connections and the joy of spending time together in a beautiful place,” the Gardens shared in a Facebook post.