Published August 25, 2026 by PETA Staff.

PETA will always love Dolly Parton—and not just for her hit music. Dolly was known for her big heart, her charitable efforts, and her fondness for dogs, and she used her angelic voice to remind people that dogs need love and companionship. She lent her bluegrass song “Will He Be Waiting for Me?” to PETA for use in a heartwarming ad starring Kathy Najimy as a woman rushing home to her dog. The spot, “Dogs Need Company,” reminded countless people that dogs are social animals and they’re miserable when left for hours and hours alone.

Dolly made international headlines when she tweeted a picture of a lost dog who was found around one of her concerts in the United Kingdom. She offered to provide a loving home for the dog—nicknamed Dolly—if she needed a place to live. But thanks in part to Dolly Parton, the dog was reunited with her family.

Dolly made an appearance at PETA’s 40^th anniversary gala in order to present a PETA Humanitarian Award to Lily Tomlin. Said Dolly, “I’m joining [you all] to celebrate the anniversary of two cultural game changers that debuted 40 years ago. In December of 1980, 9 to 5 premiered and became one of the most successful comedy films of all time. Now that same year, PETA was founded and went on to become the most successful animal rights organization in the world. And one of PETA’s biggest supporters over the years has been none other than my wonderful 9 to 5 costar Lily Tomlin.”

Like Lily, Dolly played an important role in PETA’s work to help animals, and we will always be grateful.